Detection of an NA gene molecular marker in H7N9 subtype avian influenza viruses by pyrosequencing / 病毒学报

This study aimed to establish a method for the detection and identification of H7N9 avian influenza viruses based on the NA gene by pyrosequencing. According to the published NA gene sequences of the avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, a 15-nt deletion was found in the NA gene of H7N9 avian influenza viruses. The 15-nt deletion of the NA gene was targeted as the molecular marker for the rapid detection and identification of H7N9 avian influenza viruses by pyrosequencing. Three H7N9 avian influenza virus isolates underwent pyrosequencing using the same assay, and were proven to have the same 15-nt deletion. Pyrosequencing technology based on the NA gene molecular marker can be used to identify H7N9 avian influenza viruses.

A review of research on Schmallenberg virus / 病毒学报

Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel orthobunyavirus, was first isolated in 2011. SBV preferentially infects the central nervous system of cattle and sheep and causes fever, diarrhea, a drop in milk yields, congenital malformations and stillbirths. Until June 2014, more than 200 scientific publications regarding SBV have been published. Although more than 20 articles on SVB were published in China, most of these articles provided only a brief introduction of the disease without fully discussing the associated disease characteristics. As a new disease, it has been made a focus of the National Research Center for Exotic Animal Diseases at the China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center. In this review, in order to provide a reference for research into SBV in China, we have reviewed the state of current research progress on the etiology, diagnosis and epidemiology of SBV, and vaccine development.

Progress in development of influenza virus-like particles / 病毒学报

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are composed of multiple copies of one or more expressed recombinant viral structural proteins which spontaneously assemble into particles upon expression. VLPs are non infectious because they assemble without incorporating genetic material. VLPs have structural characteristics and antigenicity similar to the parental virus because they mimick the wild-type virus structure. Hence, they are recognized readily by the immune system which induces strong anti-viral immune responses to stop virus infection. VLPs have therefore shown dramatic effectiveness as candidate vaccines and diagnostic reagent for virus. Here, in order to provide reference to the research of influenza VLPs, we reviewed the current research progress of influenza VLPs, and discussed the characteristics associated with producing VLPs for influenza virus.