Adenoviral-expressed GP5 of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus differs in its cellular maturation from the authentic viral protein but maintains known biological functions.

The ORFs 5, 6 and 7, encoding for the three major structural proteins, GP(5), M and N, of the IAF-Klop strain of PRRSV were cloned and expressed in 293 cells using replication-defective human type 5 adenoviral vectors (hAdVs). Although the M protein gene could be cloned into hAdVs and expressed constituvely in 293 cells under the control of the hCMV immediate early promotor/enhancer, hAdVs expressing N and GP(5) proteins, which appeared to be toxic or interfered with adenovirus replication, could only be generated by inclusion of a tetracycline-regulatable promotor in the transfer vector pAdTR5. The recombinant (rec) proteins appeared similar to the authentic viral proteins in regards to their M(r)s and antigenicities. However, the recGP(5) apparently possesses different N-linked oligosaccharides residues. Its sensitivity to endo-beta-galactosidase digestion indicates that poly-N-acetyllactosamine is present on the individually-expressed protein, but not on the authentic GP(5) anchored into the virion envelope. The recGP(5) apparently accumulates within the ER compartment as a glycoprotein that possesses high-mannose N-linked oligosaccharide side chains sensitive to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H treatment, by contrast to its viral counterpart for which N-linked oligosaccharide side chains are of both high-mannose and complex types. Coinfection of 293 cells with hAdVs expressing the M and GP(5) did not lead to M-GP(5) heterodimer formation, as demonstrated in PRRSV-infected cells. Moreover, cells infected with inducible hAdV/ORF5 showed that GP(5) of the North American strain is proapoptotic. Indeed, when the expression cassette was turned-on, caspase 3 activity in hAdV/ORF5 infected cells was enhanced and DNA fragmentation could be detected by TUNEL assays. Pigs intradermally injected twice with hAdV/ORF5 developed antibody titers to the authentic viral GP(5) as soon as 10 days following challenge with the homologous virulent PRRSV strain, as revealed by Western blot and virus neutralization tests, suggesting the establishment of a specific immune memory.

Microbiological Quality of Tofu and Related Products in Canada.

One hundred and fifty-three samples of tofu, related products, and environmental samples comprising 346 sample units were collected from 14 manufacturers across Canada. They were analyzed for coliforms, Salmonella , Yersinia , Staphylococcus aureus , and psychrotrophs. Although S. aureus counts were generally less than 250 cells per g and Salmonella was not detected, levels of psychrotrophs exceeded 106 per g in more than 45% of finished tofu and okara samples, and levels of coliforms exceeded 103 per g in more than 35% of these samples. Yersinia enterocolitica was also isolated from four samples of finished tofu.

Comparison of bacterial counts obtained from naturally contaminated foods by means of Stomacher and blender.

Four Regional Health Protection Branch laboratories each compared aerobic colony counts obtained after "stomaching" and blending, for a minimum of 10 samples in each of the seven food groups: dry pastas; chocolate and cocoa powders; frozen entrees (macaroni and cheese, chow mein, chop suey, fried rice, seafood casseroles, and Salisbury steak); nonfat dry milk; shrimp and crabmeats; spices; and breakfast sausages. Overall, counts obtained after using the Stomacher were equivalent to or higher than counts obtained after using the blender in 73% of the comparisons (alpha = 0.05). Where differences existed, counts obtained after using the Stomacher tended to be higher than counts obtained after using the blender from milk powder and lower from sausage. Aerobic colony counts from these foods are not unacceptably biased when obtained by Stomacher.