Improvement of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Japanese encephalitis virus antibodies in swine sera

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an important zoonosis caused by the mosquito-transmitted JE virus (JEV), which is a causative agent of reproductive failure in pregnant sows. Detection of JEV antibodies in swine is performed by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), virus neutralization (VN), and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). The most stringent PRNT is the 90% endpoint PRNT (PRNT₉₀). These conventional assays are difficult to carry out in diagnostic laboratories with insufficient instruments or cell culture systems. An alternative assay that is easily conducted and time efficient is required. In this study, we improved the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) with clarified antigen for the detection of JEV antibodies. The I-ELISA results obtained from 175 swine serum samples were compared with HI, VN, and PRNT₉₀ results. The sensitivity of I-ELISA was 91.8%, 95.0%, and 94.7% compared with HI, VN, and PRNT₉₀ results, respectively. The specificity of I-ELISA was 92.2%, 94.7%, and 94.7% compared with HI, VN, and PRNT₉₀ results, respectively. Moreover, the I-ELISA results were significantly correlated with the HI (r = 0.93), VN (r = 0.95), and PRNT₉₀ (r = 0.92) results. These results suggest that the improved I-ELISA is useful for serosurveillance of JEV in swine.

Establishment of a Multiplex RT-PCR for the Sensitive and Differential Detection of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Genotype 1 and 3

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a zoonosis that affects the nervous system of humans and other animals. The genotype of JE virus (JEV) has shifted recently from genotype 3 (G3) to genotype 1 (G1) in Asia, including Korea. Thus, a rapid differential assay is required to make an accurate diagnosis of JEV genotype. In this study, we designed common and differential primer sets for JEV G1 and G3 to detect the JEV envelope (E) gene. The specific primer sets for JEV G1 and G3 specifically amplified the target gene. The detection limits of the three primer sets were 10(1.0), 10(2.0), and 10(2.0) TCID₅₀/reaction, respectively. No cross-reactivity was detected with non-JEV reference viruses. The multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay specifically differentiated JEV G1 from G3. Thus, a one-step multiplex RT-PCR assay was established to rapidly and differentially detect JEV. This assay will be useful for confirming JEV infections in animals and checking the JEV genotype in veterinary biological products.

Development and Evaluation of Indirect ELISA for Detection of Antibodies to Getah Virus in Horse Serum

Getah virus (GETV) is a member of the genus Alphavirus in the family Togaviridae. GETV infection can occur in a wide range of vertebrate species, and the virus has been known for a pathogen of horses and pigs. To rapidly and accurately diagnose GETV infection of a racehorse, an indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) was developed in the present study for detection of antibodies to GETV in serum samples. To evaluate the developed I-ELISA, a total of 240 serum samples from Thoroughbred racehorses raised in Korea were screened in parallel by a serum neutralization (SN) test. The developed I-ELISA exhibited an efficacy comparable to that of the SN test in terms of a high diagnostic sensitivity (86.3%) and specificity (94.5%) at a cut-off absorbance value of 0.25. In addition, our results showed that the developed I-ELISA had a significant correlation with the SN test (r = 0.91; p < 0.05). Taken together, our findings suggest that the I-ELISA developed in this study is a valuable diagnostic tool for the screening of horses suspected to be infected with GETV.

Pasteurella multocida isolation from pigs with respiratory disease in Korea

A total of 131 Pasteurella (P.) multocida strains were isolated from the lungs of 1,064 pigs with respiratory clinical signs nationwide during 2009-2010 and 2013-2014. The strains of P. multocida comprised 77.1% serotype A and 22.9% serotype D. Analysis of a recent P. multocida outbreak in Korean pigs showed that the isolation rate of serotype D decreased annually. The incidence of antimicrobial resistance, as measured using minimal inhibitory concentration values, has decreased recently. Overall, further studies to characterize P. multocida isolated from pigs in Korea are needed to prevent P. multocida infection in the Korean swine industry.

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.

Sero-surveillance of Getah Virus among Thoroughbred Horses in Korea

Getah virus (GETV), which is transmitted by mosquitoes, causes lower limb edema and stiffness in horses. In this study, we investigated the sero-surveillance of GETV among Thoroughbred racehorses in Korea during 2013 and 2014. A total of 1,182 equine serum samples collected from Thoroughbred racehorses in four provinces (Gyeongnam, Gyeonggi, Jeonbuk and Jeju provinces) were analyzed using virus neutralization (VN) tests. An antibody titer of > or = 1:2 was considered positive. Overall, the seropositivity rate for GETV was found to be 12.4% (146/1,182) among the racehorses; the annual seropositivity rates were 12.4% and 12.2% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The seropositivity rates in April and September in 2013 turned out to be 8.6% and 15.2%, respectively. The regional distribution of seropositivity ranged from 5.0% to 22.3% in 2013 and from 0.0% to 15.0% in 2014, respectively. Gyeongnam province had the highest seropositivity rate than other provinces. By analyzing the distribution of VN titers according to horse age, we found that the highest GETV seropositivity rate was in horses over 6 years of age (22.4% and 28.1%, 2013 and 2014, respectively), and that the incidence of GETV was higher in geldings (17.6% and 18.6%, 2013 and 2014, respectively) than in males and females. These results indicate that Thoroughbred horses raised in Korea were bitten by mosquitoes harboring GETV.

Development of inactivated Akabane and bovine ephemeral fever vaccine for cattle / 대한수의학회지

Akabane and bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) viruses cause vector-borne diseases. In this study, inactivated Akabane virus (AKAV)+Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) vaccines with or without recombinant vibrio flagellin (revibFlaB) protein were expressed in a baculovirus expression system to measure their safety and immunogenicity. Blood was collected from mice, guinea pigs, sows, and cattle that had been inoculated with the vaccine twice. Inactivated AKAV+BEFV vaccine induced high virus neutralizing antibody (VNA) titer against AKAV and BEFV in mice and guinea pigs. VNA titers against AKAV were higher in mice and guinea pigs immunized with the inactivated AKAV+ BEFV vaccine than in animals inoculated with vaccine containing revibFlaB protein. Inactivated AKAV+BEFV vaccine elicited slightly higher VNA titers against AKAV and BEFV than the live AKAV and live BEFV vaccines in mice and guinea pigs. In addition, the inactivated AKAV+BEFV vaccine was safe, and induced high VNA titers, ranging from 1 : 64 to 1 : 512, against both AKAV and BEFV in sows and cattle. Moreover, there were no side effects observed in any treated animals. These results indicate that the inactivated AKAV+BEFV vaccine could be used in cattle with high immunogenicity and good safety.

Recharacterization of Morphological and Genetic Feature of Getah Virus Isolated from South Korea

Three QIAG93 strains, QIAG9301, QIAG9302 and QIAG9303 that have been identified as Getah virus (GETV) are analyzed in this study. The morphological features of three virus isolates were observed by using electron microscopy, suggesting that the QIAG9301, QIAG9302 and QIAG9303 isolate can be classified as tentative member of Alphavirus species in the Semliki Forest complex. The full length of the structural polyprotein gene of each QIAG93 isolate (QIAG9301, QIAG9302 and QIAG9303) was determined that are identical in size, comprising 3759 nucleotides that encoded 1253 amino acids. The sequence analysis of the structural polyprotein gene, including the C, E3, E1, 6K and E2 domain, showed that each QIAG93 isolate shares >98.9% sequence identity. The phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary distance (ED) estimation based on the structural polyprotein gene sequence showed that the QIAG9301 isolate is closely related to GETV South Korea strain (99.9% sequence identity and ED value 0.001) and Chinese GETV YN0540 strain (99.3% sequence identity ED value 0.007) than other Alphavirus species analyzed in this study. Both QIAG9032 and QIAG9303 isolate exhibited genetically close relationship with Mongolian GETV LEIV17741MPR strain (at least 99.3% sequence identity and mean ED value 0.0065). Therefore, our findings will be valuable for molecular epidemiological analyses of GETV in Korea and contribute to a further study on pathogenicity of three QIAG93 isolates in animals.

Safety and Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Rabies Virus Strain (ERAG3G) in Korean Raccoon Dogs

A new alternative rabies bait vaccine strain named ERAG3G, which is applicable to wild animals, was developed to eliminate rabies in South Korea. In this study, the safety and immunogenicity of the strain was evaluated in Korean raccoon dogs. The ERAG3G was propagated in BHK/T7-9 cells. Korean raccoon dogs were administered ERAG3G (1 ml, 10(8.0) FAID50/ml) orally or intramuscularly to evaluate its safety and immunogenicity. The raccoon dogs were observed for 70 days after administration, and immunogenicity was measured using a fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test. The ERAG3G strain was not pathogenic to Korean raccoon dogs immunized via the intramuscular or oral route. Raccoon dogs administered the candidate vaccine via the oral route developed high virus neutralizing antibody (VNA) titers ranging from 13.7 to 41.6 IU/ml 70 days post administration. Raccoon dogs inoculated intramuscularly with the ERAG3G strain developed moderate VNA titers ranging from 0.5 to 13.7 IU/ml. These findings suggest that the ERAG3G strain is safe and induces a protective immune response in raccoon dogs.

Serosurveillance and establishment of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for bovine parainfluenza virus type 5 / 대한수의학회지

Bovine parainfluenza virus type 5 (bPIV5) was isolated from cattle with downer cow syndrome in 2012, and included both respiratory and neurotropic pathogens from a variety of animals. In the current study, we conducted serosurveillance using sera obtained from seven Korean farms and optimized a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to detect bPIV5. The overall seropositive rate for Korean cattle was 21.4% (163/760). A farm located near the city of Milyang in Gyeoungnam province had a markedly elevated seropositive rate for bPIV5 compared to that of the other six farms. The regional seropositive rates were 4.2% (8/192) for Haman, 19.5% (18/55) for Hwasung, 73.9% (65/88) for Milyang, 26.0% (50/192) for Namwon, 1.0% (1/96) for Uljin, 13.5% (13/96) for Yeongju, and 32.7% (8/41) for Yongin. The sensitivity and specificity of three RT-PCR primer sets used to amplify the conserved fusion gene of bPIV5 were also evaluated. An RT-PCR assay using the bPIVFR3 primer set was 10-fold more sensitive than the assays using the two other primer sets and did not result in non-specific amplification. These results demonstrated that the bPIFR3 primer set can be used to detect bPIV5.

Application of recombinant adenoviruses expressing glycoprotein or nucleoprotein of rabies virus to Korean raccoon dogs

PURPOSE: A new rabies vaccine for animals, including raccoon dogs, in Korea is needed to eradicate rabies infection. In this study, we constructed two recombinant adenoviruses expressing the glycoprotein or nucleoprotein of the rabies virus (RABV). We then investigated the safety and immunogenicity of these strains in raccoon dogs, depending on inoculation route. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant adenoviruses expressing the glycoprotein (Ad-0910G) or nucleoprotein (Ad-0910N) of rabies were constructed in 293A cells using an adenoviral system. One-year-old raccoon dogs underwent intramuscular (IM) inoculation or oral administration of the recombinant Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N. Clinical symptoms were observed and virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA) against RABV were measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the immunization. Raccoons were considered positive if VNA titers were > or = 0.1 IU/mL. RESULTS: Raccoon dogs inoculated with the combined Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N virus via the IM route did not exhibit any clinical sign of rabies during the observation period. All raccoon dogs (n = 7) immunized IM had high VNA titers, ranging from 0.17 to 41.6 IU/mL at 2 weeks after inoculation, but 70% (7/10) of raccoon dogs administered viruses via the oral route responded by 6 weeks after administration against RABV. CONCLUSION: Raccoon dogs inoculated with Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N viruses showed no adverse effects. Immunization with the combined Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N strains may play an important role in inducing VNA against RABV in raccoon dogs.

The inhibitory effect of quercitrin gallate on iNOS expression induced by lipopolysaccharide in Balb/c mice

Quercetin 3-O-beta-(2''-galloyl)-rhamnopyranoside (QGR) is a naturally occurring quercitrin gallate, which is a polyphenolic compound that was originally isolated from Persicaria lapathifolia (Polygonaceae). QGR has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect of QGR on nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) expression in LPS-stimulated Balb/c mice. To accomplish this, 10 mg/kg of QGR was administered via gavage once a day for 3 days. iNOS was then induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Six hours after the LPS treatment the animals were sacrificed under ether anethesia. The serum levels of NO were then measured to determine if QGR exerted an inhibitory effect on NO production in vivo. LPS induced an approximately 6 fold increase in the expression of NO. However, oral administration of QGR reduced the LPS induced increase in NO by half. Furthermore, RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that the increased levels of iNOS expression that occurred in response to treatment with LPS were significantly attenuated in response to QGR pretreatment. Histologically, LPS induced the infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in portal veins and sinusoids and caused the formation of a large number of necrotic cells; however, pretreatment with QGR attenuated these LPS induced effects. Taken together, these results indicate that QGR inhibits iNOS expression in vivo as well as in vitro and has antiinflammatory potentials.