Genetic diversity and evolution of Hare Calicivirus (HaCV), a recently identified lagovirus from Lepus europaeus.

First recognized as highly pathogenic viruses, hare lagoviruses belonging to genotype GII.1 (EBHSV) infect various Lepus species. Genetically distinct benign lagoviruses (Hare Calicivirus, HaCV) have recently been identified but few data have been available so far on these strains. The analysis of 199 samples from hunted hares collected throughout France allowed the detection of 20 HaCV and showed that they were widely distributed in this country. Ten HaCV capsid protein gene sequences were characterized. A first HaCV capsid protein structural model was proposed, revealing a global structure similar to that of a pathogenic GII.1 strain. The HaCV sequences showed an even higher genetic diversity than previously appreciated, with the characterization of two genotypes (GII.2, GII.3) and several additional putative genotypes. The most recent common ancestor for HaCV VP60 gene was estimated to be much older than that for GII.1 pathogenic strains. These results give new insights into the phylogenetic relationships of HaCV within the Lagovirus genus.

Overcoming species barriers: an outbreak of Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/RHDV2 in an isolated population of mountain hares (Lepus timidus).

BACKGROUND: Prior to 2010, the lagoviruses that cause rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) in hares (Lepus spp.) were generally genus-specific. However, in 2010, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2), also known as Lagovirus europaeus GI.2, emerged and had the distinguishing ability to cause disease in both rabbits and certain hare species. The mountain hare (Lepus timidus) is native to Sweden and is susceptible to European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV), also called Lagovirus europaeus GII.1. While most mountain hare populations are found on the mainland, isolated populations also exist on islands. Here we investigate a mortality event in mountain hares on the small island of Hallands Väderö where other leporid species, including rabbits, are absent. RESULTS: Post-mortem and microscopic examination of three mountain hare carcasses collected from early November 2016 to mid-March 2017 revealed acute hepatic necrosis consistent with pathogenic lagovirus infection. Using immunohistochemistry, lagoviral capsid antigen was visualized within lesions, both in hepatocytes and macrophages. Genotyping and immunotyping of the virus independently confirmed infection with L. europaeus GI.2, not GII.1. Phylogenetic analyses of the vp60 gene grouped mountain hare strains together with a rabbit strain from an outbreak of GI.2 in July 2016, collected approximately 50 km away on the mainland. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first documented infection of GI.2 in mountain hares and further expands the host range of GI.2. Lesions and tissue distribution mimic those of GII.1 in mountain hares. The virus was most likely initially introduced from a concurrent, large-scale GI.2 outbreak in rabbits on the adjacent mainland, providing another example of how readily this virus can spread. The mortality event in mountain hares lasted for at least 4.5 months in the absence of rabbits, which would have required virus circulation among mountain hares, environmental persistence and/or multiple introductions. This marks the fourth Lepus species that can succumb to GI.2 infection, suggesting that susceptibility to GI.2 may be common in Lepus species. Measures to minimize the spread of GI.2 to vulnerable Lepus populations therefore are prudent.

Proposal for a unified classification system and nomenclature of lagoviruses.

Lagoviruses belong to the Caliciviridae family. They were first recognized as highly pathogenic viruses of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) that emerged in the 1970-1980s, namely, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV), according to the host species from which they had been first detected. However, the diversity of lagoviruses has recently expanded to include new related viruses with varying pathogenicity, geographic distribution and host ranges. Together with the frequent recombination observed amongst circulating viruses, there is a clear need to establish precise guidelines for classifying and naming lagovirus strains. Therefore, here we propose a new nomenclature based on phylogenetic relationships. In this new nomenclature, a single species of lagovirus would be recognized and called Lagovirus europaeus. The species would be divided into two genogroups that correspond to RHDV- and EBHSV-related viruses, respectively. Genogroups could be subdivided into genotypes, which could themselves be subdivided into phylogenetically well-supported variants. Based on available sequences, pairwise distance cutoffs have been defined, but with the accumulation of new sequences these cutoffs may need to be revised. We propose that an international working group could coordinate the nomenclature of lagoviruses and any proposals for revision.

Polarisation of major histocompatibility complex II host genotype with pathogenesis of European Brown Hare syndrome virus.

A study was conducted in order to determine the occurrence of European Brown Hare Syndrome virus (EBHSV) in Denmark and possible relation between disease pathogenesis and Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) host genotype. Liver samples were examined from 170 brown hares (hunted, found sick or dead), collected between 2004 and 2009. Macroscopical and histopathological findings consistent with EBHS were detected in 24 (14.1%) hares; 35 (20.6%) had liver lesions not typical of the syndrome, 50 (29.4%) had lesions in other tissues and 61 (35.9%) had no lesions. Sixty five (38.2%) of 170 samples were found to be EBHSV-positive (RT-PCR, VP60 gene). In order to investigate associations between viral pathogenesis and host genotype, variation within the exon 2 DQA gene of MHC was assessed. DQA exon 2 analysis revealed the occurrence of seven different alleles in Denmark. Consistent with other populations examined so far in Europe, observed heterozygosity of DQA (H o = 0.1180) was lower than expected (H e = 0.5835). The overall variation for both nucleotide and amino acid differences (2.9% and 14.9%, respectively) were lower in Denmark than those assessed in other European countries (8.3% and 16.9%, respectively). Within the peptide binding region codons the number of nonsynonymous substitutions (dN) was much higher than synonymous substitutions (dS), which would be expected for MHC alleles under balancing selection. Allele frequencies did not significantly differ between EBHSV-positive and -negative hares. However, allele Leeu-DQA*30 was detected in significantly higher (P = 0.000006) frequency among the positive hares found dead with severe histopathological lesions than among those found sick or apparently healthy. In contrast, the latter group was characterized by a higher frequency of the allele Leeu-DQA*14 as well as the proportion of heterozygous individuals (P = 0.000006 and P = 0.027). These data reveal a polarisation between EBHSV pathogenesis and MHC class II genotype within the European brown hare in Denmark.

Complete coding sequences of European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) strains isolated in 1982 in Sweden.

European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is characterised by high mortality of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and mountain hares (Lepus timidus). European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) and the closely related rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) comprise the genus Lagovirus, family Caliciviridae. In contrast to RHDV, which is well studied, with more than 30 complete genome sequences available, the only complete genome sequence available for EBHSV was obtained from a strain isolated in 1989 in France. EBHS was originally diagnosed in Sweden in 1980. Here, we report the complete coding sequences of two EBHSV strains isolated from European brown hares that died with liver lesions characteristic of EBHS in Sweden in 1982. These sequences represent the oldest complete coding sequences of EBHSV isolated from the original area of virus diagnosis. The genomic organisation is similar to that of the published French sequence. Comparison with this sequence revealed several nucleotide substitutions, corresponding to 6 % divergence. At the amino acid level, the Swedish strains are 2 % different from the French strain. Most amino acid substitutions were located within the major capsid protein VP60, but when considering the amino acid sequence length of each protein, VP10 is the protein with the highest percentage of amino acid differences. The same result was obtained when Swedish strains were compared. This evolutionary pattern has not been described previously for members of the genus Lagovirus.

Characterisation of a non-pathogenic and non-protective infectious rabbit lagovirus related to RHDV.

The existence of non-pathogenic RHDV strains was established when a non-lethal virus named rabbit calicivirus (RCV) was characterised in 1996 in Italy. Since then, different RNA sequences related to RHDV have been detected in apparently healthy domestic and wild rabbits, and recently a new lagovirus was identified in Australia. We have characterised from seropositive healthy domestic rabbits a non-lethal lagovirus that differs from RHDV in terms of pathogenicity, tissue tropism and capsid protein sequence. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed that it is close to the Ashington strain and to the RCV, but distinct. We proved experimentally that it is infectious but non-pathogenic and demonstrated that, contrary to the other described non-pathogenic lagoviruses, it induces antibodies that do not protect against RHDV. Our results indicate the existence of a gradient of cross-protection between circulating strains, from non-protective, partially protective to protective strains, and highlight the extent of diversity within the genus Lagovirus.

Identification and partial characterisation of a new Lagovirus in Australian wild rabbits.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is widely used in Australia to control feral rabbit populations. Before RHDV was released on the Australian continent in 1996, antibodies cross-reacting in RHDV specific ELISAs were found in Australian wild rabbits, leading to the hypothesis that a non-pathogenic calicivirus had been circulating in rabbit populations in Australia, potentially providing some level of cross-immunoprotection to RHDV infection. For the detection of this putative virus, a universal lagovirus PCR test was developed to screen a variety of different tissues of wild caught rabbits. We identified a new lagovirus in the intestinal tissues of three apparently healthy young wild rabbits. Quantitative Real Time PCR analysis revealed high concentrations of viral RNA in intestinal tissues and suggests a faecal-oral mode of transmission. Genome organisation and phylogenetic analysis following the sequencing of the entire viral genome revealed a new member of the genus Lagovirus within the family Caliciviridae.

Molecular epidemiology of European brown hare syndrome virus in France between 1989 and 2003.

Genetic diversity between French European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) viruses since the disease appeared has been evaluated. Nucleotide sequencing of the partial capsid protein genes of 169 EBHS viruses collected from various parts of France between 1989 and 2003, three reference strains, and a Greek EBHSV collected in 2002 revealed a maximum nucleotide divergence of 11.7%, indicating a high level of conservation between viruses. Two major groups were identified. The first group contained EBHS viruses collected since 1989 from different parts of France, the reference strains, and all of the viruses located in the far north of France. In this group, three genogroups were clearly identified as mainly related to their geographic origin. The distribution of the viruses suggests that the early viruses have not disappeared and have slowly evolved in their area of origin. The second group, supported by a significant bootstrap value, contained the Greek EBHSV with the French EBHS viruses collected between 1999 and 2003 from regions of southern France. It constitutes a newly identified genogroup. Our results demonstrate strong differences in genetic evolution between EBHSV and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, with persistence of the earlier EBHS viruses and interaction between the geographical and temporal distributions.