Monkeypox (Mpox) virus isolation and ultrastructural characterisation from a Brazilian human sample case

BACKGROUND According to the last 2023 Monkeypox (Mpox) Outbreak Global Map from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 countries with no Mpox infection report cases. Brazil stands out in this group and is the second country with the highest number of cases in the last outbreak. OBJECTIVE To contribute to knowledge of the virus infection effects in a cellular model, which is important for diagnosis infections not yet included in a provider´s differential diagnosis and for developing viral inhibition strategies. METHODS We describe a virus isolation protocol for a human clinical sample from a patient from Brazil, the viral growth in a cell model through plaque forming units (PFU) assay, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FINDINGS We follow the viral isolation in Vero cell culture from a Mpox positive clinically diagnosed sample and show the infection effects on cellular structures using a TEM. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Understanding the impact of viral growth on cellular structures and its replication kinetics may offer better strategies for the development of new drugs with antiviral properties.

Rabies virus viability in vitro / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the in vitro viability of rabies virus in tissues and body fluid samples. Methods:The viability of rabies virus in tissues and suspensions was analyzed by virus titer determination method, direct immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and laboratory techniques for virus isolation.Results:With the increase of temperature, the viability of rabies virus in brain tissues and suspensions decreased gradually. Rabies virus lost infectivity after 30 min at 56℃, but remained viable in tissues for 7 d at 37℃. The virus showed no viability after 1 h at pH9.6. The rabies virus in suspensions could be completely inactivated after the stimulation with ethanol at a final concentration above 30%, sodium hypochlorite above 500 mg/L or benzalkonium bromide above 100 mg/L for 3 min. It was found that 80% acetone had the strongest inactivation effect on rabies virus in tissues, and no virus could be isolated after soaking for 4 h.Conclusions:Rabies virus was not tolerant to high temperature and relatively stable in the environment with pH6.8-7.4. Common disinfectants could kill the virus. This study provided detailed data about the viability of rabies virus in vitro, which would be conducive to the prevention and control of rabies.

Isolation and genome-wide evolutionary analysis of a type Ⅲ WU polyomavirus strain / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To isolate and culture WU polyomavirus (WUPyV), and to analyze the genome-wide evolutionary patterns, homology and population dynamics.Methods:Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the nasopharyngeal aspirate samples of hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection in Beijing Friendship Hospital during 2020 to 2022. Primary human airway epithelial cells cultured at the air-liquid interface were used to isolate and culture WUPyV. Whole genome sequence of the isolated strain was obtained by Sanger sequencing. For phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics analysis, the whole genome was compared with the published whole genome sequences in GenBank database.Results:The detection rate of WUPyV was 4.7% (31/659) during 2020 to 2022, and a clinical strain BJ0593 of WUPyV type Ⅲc was successfully isolated. The homology of the whole genome and gene fragments of WUPyV was high. The average evolutionary rate of VP2 gene was about 1.256×10 -4 substitution/site every year, and the population dynamics of WUPyV tended to be flat in the last decade. Conclusions:This study successfully isolated a clinical WUPyV type Ⅲ strain for the first time, which provided the basis for further investigation on the molecular evolution and pathogenicity of WUPyV.

Clinical characteristics and virus identification of 4 cases of monkeypox confirmed in Zhejiang province / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of monkeypox patients.Methods:The clinical data and laboratory findings of 4 patients with monkeypox patients diagnosed at Yiwu Central Hospital in July 2023 were analyzed. Herpes fluid and skin tissue samples were collected, the viruses were isolation and cultured in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) and identified with whole gene sequencing.Results:All four patients were male, aged 24-35 years. All patients had male-to-male behavior within 21 days before onset of the disease. Among them, one patient has AIDS and one patient has syphilis. Four patients presented with perineal skin lesions with itching, and 3 patients were found to have enlarged lymph nodes upon admission. Laboratory testing: lymphocyte abnormality (4.57×10 9/L) in 1 case; increased procalcitonin (0.25 ng/mL) in 1 case; elevated IL-10 levels ( 7.11 ng/L and 9.42 ng/L) in 2 cases; increased IL-6 (66 ng/L) and IL-4 (3.24 ng/L) in 1 case, respectively. One case had abnormal myocardial zymogram with a elevated lactate dehydrogenase level of 313 U/L. The monkeypox virus was isolated from lesion tissue and herpes fluid, and the whole gene sequencing identified it as the B. 1.3 subtype of the IIb evolutionary branch, exhibiting typical pathological effects on Vero cells. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of the 4 monkeypox patients confirmed in Zhejiang province are mild, patients had a definitive history of male-to-male sexual behavior and the virus strains belong to the B. 1.3 lineage of the IIb evolutionary branch.

Preliminary analysis of isolation effect of influenza virus by recombinant MDCK cells stably expressing trypsinogen / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the isolation effect of influenza virus by recombinant MDCK cells(MTY6 cells)stably expressing trypsinogen.MethodsAccording to the virus isolation method recommended by the World Health Organization(WHO)Global Influenza Surveillance Network(GISN)and the National Influenza Centers(NICs),a total of 20 throat swab specimens containing positive nucleic acid for H1N1,H3N2 and B influenza virus were isolated simultaneously using MDCK and MTY6 cells. Guinea pig red blood cells and chicken red blood cells were used for agglutination test respectively and the agglutination effects of different types of red blood cells,the positive rate of virus and the titer of hemagglutinin isolated from different cells were statistically compared.ResultsThe agglutination effect of the same virus isolate on the two types of red blood cells was different. The complete agglutination time of guinea pig red blood cells was about 2 times that of chicken red blood cells,and the deposition shape showed a ring shape. The average hemag-glutinin titer was 23. 6 ± 1. 2times that of chicken red blood cells. Under the same conditions,3 samples were negative for both types of cells,11 samples were positive for both types of cells,and the other 6 samples were negative for MDCK cells while positive for MTY6 cells. The positive rate of MTY6 cells was 30% higher than that of MDCK cells. The isolated positive samples included 8 cases of H1N1 subtype and the hemagglutinin titer of virus isolated by MTY6 cells was significantly higher than that by MDCK cells[13. 0(1. 7,23. 0)times on average]. 2 cases of H3N2 and 2 cases of B were isolated,the hemagglutinin titer of each virus isolated by MTY6 cells was 11. 3 and 32. 0 times higher than that by MDCK cells on average respectively.ConclusionIn conclusion,guinea pig red blood cells were superior to chicken red blood cells for influenza virus detection by cell isolation. Under the same conditions,MTY6 cells were more sensitive than MDCK cells for influenza virus isolation,and had the potential to be used as a high-quality cell matrix for influenza virus isolation.

SARS-CoV-2 isolation from the first reported patients in Brazil and establishment of a coordinated task network

BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in Brazil in February 2020, the first cases were followed by an increase in the number of cases throughout the country, resulting in an important public health crisis that requires fast and coordinated responses. OBJECTIVES The objective of this work is to describe the isolation and propagation properties of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the first confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Brazil. METHODS After diagnosis in patients that returned from Italy to the São Paulo city in late February by RT-PCR, SARS-CoV-2 isolates were obtained in cell cultures and characterised by full genome sequencing, electron microscopy and in vitro replication properties. FINDINGS The virus isolate was recovered from nasopharyngeal specimen, propagated in Vero cells (E6, CCL-81 and hSLAM), with clear cytopathic effects, and characterised by full genome sequencing, electron microscopy and in vitro replication properties. Virus stocks - viable (titre 2.11 × 106 TCID50/mL, titre 1.5 × 106 PFUs/mL) and inactivated from isolate SARS.CoV2/SP02.2020.HIAE.Br were prepared and set available to the public health authorities and the scientific community in Brazil and abroad. MAIN CONCLUSION We believe that the protocols for virus growth and studies here described and the distribution initiative may constitute a viable model for other developing countries, not only to help a rapid effective pandemic response, but also to facilitate and support basic scientific research.

Virus isolation and genotype identification of human respiratory syncytial virus in Guizhou Province, China

ABSTRACT To investigate the genetic variation and molecular epidemiology characteristics of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) in Guizhou Province, nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, from December 2017 to March 2018, and inoculated to Hep-2 cells to isolate HRSV. Cells that showed cytopathic effect (CPE) were then confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence assay and reverse transcription. The sequence of the PCR products was determined for HRSV isolates, and the genetic variation was analyzed. Out of 196 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples, HRSV were isolated in 39. The second hypervariable region at the 3' terminal of glycoprotein gene (HVR2) sequence analysis showed that subgroup A was dominant. Seventy-nine percent of the isolates belonged to subgroup A, ON1 genotype, and 21 % belonged to subgroup B, BA9 genotype, which indicates that the dominant HRSV circulating in Guizhou Province was subgroup A, genotype ON1, co-circulating with a less prevalent subgroup B, genotype BA9.

Research progress of detective techniques for influenza virus infections / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Influenza is one of the most common and widespread respiratory diseases in humans.In addition to pose a serious threat to the susceptible and high-risk population,influenza has an important impact on public health.Rapid and accurate diagnosis of influenza virus infections is essential for administrating prompt antiviral treatments and undertaking effective prevention and control measures during seasonal epidemics and pandemics,which to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with influenza virus infections.Several different approaches are currently available for diagnosis of influenza infections in humans,including virus isolation,antigen detections,nucleic acid amplifications,etc.New diagnostic methods are being developed to overcome the limitations of some traditional detection methods.Here is an overview of diagnostic techniques for influenza virus infection.

Surveillance and analysis of Haemaphysalis longicornis with SFTS virus in Tumen river basin located in the frontiers of Russia, Korea and Northeast China / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To mastered the distribution characteristics of Haemaphysalis longicornis in the Tumen River basin along the border between Russia, Korea and Northeast China, and understand the status of Haemaphysalis longicornis carrying the virus of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), then, isolate the virus and analyze its genetic characteristics. Method Ticks were collected from Hunchun, Tumen, Helong and Longjing cities in the Tumen River basin of Jilin Province from April to September, 2017. Haemaphysalis longicornis was selected and grouped. SFTS virus was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Virus isolation was carried out in Vero cells, besides, S,M,L gene segments were amplified . The homology of S, M and L gene segments was compared, phylogenetic tree was established, and their gene characteristics were analyzed. Result Haemaphysalis longicornis mainly distributed in Hunchun and Tumen City in the lower reaches of Tumen River. It was the dominant species in the two counties, reaching 71.85% and 87.62% respectively. A virus named YBHC-TICK2-2017/CHINA was isolated from Haemaphysalis longicornis collected in Hunchun. The sequences of S segment (1 746 bp), M segment (3 336 bp) and L segment (6 376 bp) of the virus were 98.00%-99.00%, homologous to those of SFTS virus isolates from China and Korea recorded in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gen Bank. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the S segment gene sequence of the virus strain was divided into a cluster with Jilin strain (KT890282) in China, and M segment and L segment gene sequence with Jiangsu strain (KR230781) in China. Conclusions Haemaphysalis longicornis are widely distributed in the lower reaches of the Tumen river. It was the first time that SFTS virus was isolated from Haemaphysalis longicornis in this area, suggesting that this area is important for SFTS prevention.

Progress in detection methods of human metapneumovirus / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a newly described paramyxovirus that was found in the Netherlands in 2001. It is an important pathogen of acute respiratory diseases in infants, young children, elderly and immunocompromised patients. hMPV infection could cause mild upper respiratory tract infection or severe lower respiratory tract disease, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. hMPV was usually detected using direct immunofluorescence and RT-PCR, but the detection method were different according to the respective experiment requirements. In this paper we review the detection method of hMPV to provide a basis for further study of hMPV.

Genotype I of Japanese encephalitis virus as the dominant genotype among mosquitoes in Shandong / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

Objective@#To analysis the genotype of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in mosquitoes from Shandong province.@*Methods@#Mosquitoes were collected between August and September in Weishan county, Junan county, and Kenli county of Shandong province in 2016. Viruses were isolated by BHK-21 cell and identified by molecular method . Real-Time RT-PCR was conducted to detect the Japanese encephalitis virus carried by the mosquitoes.@*Results@#A total of 8418 mosquitoes divided into 81 pools including 3 species, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Anopheles sinensis and Armigeres obturbans. Eight Japanese encephalitis viruses were isolated; 23 pools were positive by JEV specific real-time RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis on E sequence of JEV showed all JEV strains belonged to genotype Ⅰ JEV, and new strains that were homogenous with previous JEV strains isolated from Shandong.@*Conclusions@#Genotype Ⅰ JEV was the dominant genotype in Shandong province.

Epidemiological features of prevalent influenza A viruses in children with influenza-like illness during the 2004-2017 season in Beijing / 中华儿科杂志

Objective@#To analyze and compare the epidemiological features of prevalent influenza A viruses in children in Beijing during 13 consecutive surveillance seasons from 2004 to 2017.@*Methods@#This was a repeated cross section study. Throat swabs were collected weekly from children with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) who presented to the outpatient/emergency department of Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics during the period from September, 2004 to August, 2017. All of the specimens were inoculated into Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells to isolate influenza viruses followed by identifying different types of influenza viruses with reference antisera by hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Descriptive statistics, t test and chi-square test were used to analyze the characteristics of prevalent influenza and characteristics of children infected with different types of influenza viruses.@*Results@#Out of 10 984 specimens from ILI tested for influenza viruses, 1 052 (9.6%) were positive for influenza A viruses, and the positive rate was higher than that of influenza B viruses (6.7%, 741/10 984). Out of 1 052 cases positive for influenza A viruses, 70 cases of seasonal H1N1, 302 cases of 2 009 pandemic H1N1 and 680 cases of H3N2 were identified. The mean age of children with influenza A was (4.2±2.9) years, in whom 55.5% (584/1 052) were male. The mean age of children infected with seasonal H1N1, 2009 pandemic H1N1 and H3N2 was (4.6±2.1) , (4.3±3.1) and (4.2±2.9) years, respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean age among children infected with different subtypes of influenza A viruses (seasonal H1N1 vs. H3N2: t=1.139, P=0.255; 2009 pandemic H1N1 vs. H3N2: t=0.631, P=0.528; seasonal H1N1 vs. 2009 pandemic H1N1: t=0.720, P=0.472), while the mean age of children with influenza B was higher than that of the patients with influenza A ((5.2±2.7) vs. (4.2±2.9) years, t=7.120, P=0.000). The infection rate of influenza A in children with each age group was significantly different from that of influenza B. The infection rate of 2009 pandemic H1N1 and H3N2 increased with age, except for the patients of 0-6 months. Meanwhile, the infection rate of H3N2 in children aged 6 months to 12 years was higher than that of seasonal H1N1 and 2009 pandemic H1N1 (all P<0.05). The influenza A epidemic peaked earlier than that of influenza B when the positive rate of influenza A was higher than that of influenza B, and vice versa. After 2009, circulating strain was substituted by 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus with higher positive rate, while previous seasonal H1N1 had not been detected. The 2009 pandemic H1N1 circulated at high level in two consecutive seasons, which was followed by low level in next season. H3N2 epidemic peaked mostly in winter and spring each year, however, the epidemic wave of H3N2 with high virulence occurred so early in the summer in the year of 2009 H1N1 pandemic.@*Conclusions@#The characteristics of prevalent influenza A viruses in children were different among 13 surveillance seasons from 2004 to 2017 in Beijing. The 2009 pandemic H1N1 and H3N2 became the predominant strains of influenza A virus.

Low occurrence of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) as cause of abortion and perinatal mortality in Brazil / Baixa ocorrência de herpes-vírus equino 1 (HVE-1) como causa de abortamento e mortalidade perinatal no Brasil

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an important pathogen that causes abortion, neonatal disease, respiratory disorders, and neurological syndrome in equine populations worldwide. To evaluate EHV-1 as a cause of abortion and perinatal mortality in Brazil, tissue samples from 105 aborted equine fetuses, stillbirths, and foals up to one month of age were examined using virus isolation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), histopathology, and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two fetuses were positive for EHV-1 by PCR, one of which showed syncytia and eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in bronchial epithelia, but it was negative by virus isolation. The other showed no characteristic histological lesions, but it was positive by viral isolation. No sample was positive by IHC. The results presented low occurrence of EHV-1 in the studied population and suggested that the use of a combination of techniques increases the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis of EHV-1.(AU)

O herpes-vírus equino tipo 1 (HVE-1) é um importante agente patogênico causador de aborto, doença neonatal, distúrbios respiratórios e síndrome neurológica em populações de equinos em todo o mundo. Para avaliar a ocorrência do HVE-1 como agente causal de abortamento e mortalidade perinatal no Brasil, foram examinadas amostras de 105 fetos equinos abortados, natimortos e potros de até 1 mês de idade, utilizando as técnicas de isolamento viral, imuno-histoquímica (IHQ), histopatologia e reação em cadeia da polimerase aninhada (nested-PCR). Dois fetos foram positivos na análise de PCR, e um deles apresentou corpúsculos de inclusão viral eosinofílicos e sincícios no epitélio brônquico, porém foi negativo na análise de isolamento viral. O outro feto não apresentou lesões histológicas características de infecção herpética, mas foi positivo na análise de isolamento viral. Nenhuma amostra apresentou resultado positivo pela análise de IHQ. Os resultados demonstraram baixa ocorrência de HVE-1 na população estudada e que o uso de diferentes técnicas diagnósticas aumenta a probabilidade de um diagnóstico preciso para o HVE-1.(AU)

Isolation and identification of human influenza virus from a stale respiratory tract specimen with human airway epithelial cells / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the possibility of using well-differentiated human airway epithelial cells (HAE) to isolate and identify human influenza A virus from a stale respiratory tract specimen.Methods The stale specimen used in this study was a nasopharyngeal swab specimen collected from a patient with unexplained pneumonia in Qinghai in 2010.It was positive for influenza A virus (H3N2) RNA, but negative for hemagglutination.Equal amount of the specimen was inoculated on HAE and on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells for virus isolation and passage.Cytopathic effects were observed daily after inoculation.Hemagglutination inhibition test was performed at every passage.Electron microscope was used to observe viral morphology.Viral genome was sequenced, followed by molecular evolutionary analysis.Results No progeny virus was isolated in MDCK cells, while a influenza A virus subtype H3N2 strain [A/Qinghai/178/2010(H3N2)] was isolated in HAE with a typical morphology and cytopathic effect of influenza A infection.The hemagglutination inhibition activity was 1∶16.Results of the molecular evolutionary analysis of viral genome showed that the influenza A virus (H3N2) strain was highly homologous to the A/Nanjing/1655/2010(H3N2) strain, which was isolated during the 2010 influenza pandemic in Nanjing.Conclusion HAE can be used for isolation and identification of virus from stale respiratory tract specimens.It is more sensitive than MDCK cells with regard to human influenza virus isolation.

Epidemiological characteristics of influenza B virus in Guizhou Province in 2013-2016 / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To understand the epidemic characteristics and regularity of influenza B virus in Guizhou Province, and provide scientific evidence for the control and prevention of influenza.Methods Results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(PT-PCR) of influenza B virus in Guizhou Province from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016 were statistically analyzed.Results A total of 1 904 samples were detected influenza B virus by RT-PCR, B/Yamagata (By) lineage and B/Victoria (Bv) lineage were 1 215 and 642 respectively.In April 2013-March 2014 and April 2014-March 2015, the predominant strains of influenza B were both By lineage, in April 2015-March 2016, the predominant strains of influenza B were Bv and By lineages, the epidemic peaks were in winter and spring;there's a higher positive percentage of influenza B in male, accounting for 56.83%;the highest detection rate of influenza B virus was found in population aged <15 years(70.80%),Bv and By lineages were the highest in the 0~ (42.37%) and 5~ age groups (35.56%) respectively;the main pathogen causing mixed infection was By+Bv (67.65%),mixed infection with influenza B virus accounted for 95.59%.Conclusion There are two lineages By and Bv epidemic in Guizhou Province, the epidemic peaks of influenza B are in winter and spring, male cases are higher than female, people under 15 years old are the high-risk group for influenza B, it is of great significance to strengthen the vaccination and surveillance of influenza in low age population.

Epidemiological survey of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in ticks in Nagasaki, Japan

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging disease that is endemic in East Asia. The SFTS virus (SFTSV) is transmitted to other organisms by infected ticks and is endemic to Nagasaki in western Japan. However, epidemiological information regarding SFTSV in Nagasaki ticks has not been elucidated. In this study, we first examined the sensitivities of SFTSV gene detection by real-time RT-PCR and virus isolation in cultured cells and mice. These methods could detect SFTSV in the samples containing more than 4 × 10⁰ ffu. Next, we attempted to isolate SFTSV and to detect viral gene in 2,222 nymph and adult ticks collected from May to August 2013 among seven regions of Nagasaki. However, neither virus isolation nor viral gene detection were confirmed in those tick pools. SFTSV positivity rates are considered very low in ticks and viral loads in ticks are also very limited. Further investigation by increasing the number of ticks and including larval samples in the investigation, as well as improved detection methods, may be required to find SFTSV-positive ticks in this region.

Epidemiological Survey of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in Ticks in Nagasaki, Japan

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging disease endemic in East Asia. Transmitted to other organisms by infected ticks, the SFTS virus (SFTSV) and is endemic to Nagasaki in western Japan. However, epidemiological information regarding SFTSV in Nagasaki ticks has not been available to date. In this study, we began by examining the sensitivities of SFTSV gene detection by real-time RT-PCR and virus isolation in cultured cells and mice. These methods could detect SFTSV in the samples containing more than 4 × 10⁰ ffu. Next, we attempted to isolate SFTSV and to detect viral gene in 2,222 nymph and adult ticks collected from May to August 2013 among seven regions of Nagasaki. However, neither virus isolation nor viral gene detection were confirmed in the tick pools. SFTSV positivity rates are considered to be very low in ticks, and viral loads are also very limited. Further investigations increasing the number of ticks and including larval samples as well as improved detection methods, may be required to find SFTSV-positive ticks in this region.

Isolation and identification of canine parvovirus type 2b in Korean dogs / 대한수의학회지

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a major diarrhea-causing agent in puppies. Since CPV type 2 (CPV-2) emerged in 1978, new antigenic variants including CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c have been identified in many countries. Two puppies died suddenly at a veterinary clinic in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. Two viruses were isolated in A72 cells, confirmed as CPV strains based on a CPV rapid kit and an indirect fluorescence test and designated QIACP1403 and QIACP1404. The nucleotide sequences of complete VP2 genes of QIACP1403 and QIACP1404 were determined, and the corresponding amino acid sequences were deduced. Molecular analyses revealed that the QIACP1403 and QIACP1404 isolates were type CPV-2b. Several mutated amino acids were detected on VP2 gene residues of the two isolates. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the two isolates were most closely related to strain CPV-BM11, which was isolated from Chinese dogs in 2011. Our results suggest that these isolates may be a candidate for a vaccine to prevent CPV infection in dogs after conducting passages of the isolates in an in vitro culture system.

Isolation and Molecular Biological Characterization of Fowlpox Virus from Specimen of Cutaneous Nodular Lesions from Chickens in Several Regions of Tanzania.

Aim: To investigate molecular and evolutionary characteristics of genes of fowlpox virus (FWPV) isolates from chickens in Tanzania. Study Design: Experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania; between November 2011 and October 2013. Methodology: Samples of cutaneous nodular lesions were collected from featherless parts of chickens (n = 154) suspected to have fowl pox in 14 regions of Tanzania followed by virus isolation, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the P4b gene, gel electrophoresis of PCR products, purification of PCR products, sequencing of purified PCR products and finally analysis of sequence data using standard procedures. Results: The disease was confirmed in 12 regions, out of 154 investigated samples 66 (42.86%) were found to contain FWPV, indicating that the 66 chickens from which the samples were collected had fowl pox as a result FWPV infection. Sequence analysis revealed that the Tanzanian FWPV isolates were 99.65 – 100% identical to each other and 99 – 100% identical to several published sequences of FWPV isolates from various countries in different continents of the world, including Europe and Asia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all Tanzanian isolates belong to clade A, subclade A1. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study it is concluded that currently fowl pox is prevalent in several regions of Tanzania, caused by FWPVs which are genetically and phylogenetically closely related. However, these findings do not rule out the possibility of existence of genetic divergence among FWPVs currently prevalent in Tanzania. In order to rule out or detect genetic divergence (if any) among FWPVs currently prevalent in the country, other studies aimed at investigating molecular and evolutionary characteristics of genes in other genomic regions are highly recommended.

An improved purification procedure for Leishmania RNA virus (LRV)

Leishmania RNA Virus (LRV, Totiviridae) infect Leishmania cells and subvert mice immune response, probably promoting parasite persistence, suggesting significant roles for LRV in host-parasite interaction. Here we describe a new LRV1-4 purification protocol, enabling capsid visualization by negatively stained electron microscopy representing a significant contribution to future LRV investigations.