Isolation and Identification of Virus dsRNA from Strawberry Plants

The analysis of virus genome is based on nucleic acid isolation. The aims of this study were to develop a method for isolation and identification of virus double-stranded ribonucleic acid （dsRNA） and to elucidate the nucleotide sequences of strawberry virus. Using the modified method, virus dsRNA was extracted from strawberry virus indicator plants and cultivated strawberry plants and detected using agarose gel electrophoresis with ethidium bromide staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The quantity of virus dsRNA varied among strawberry cultivars. The quantity of dsRNA from in vitro plantlets was higher than that from the young leaves of field plants. For the field-grown plants, there was more dsRNA in the young leaves. Virus dsRNA extracted from strawberry plants was resistant to deoxyribonuclease Ⅰ （DNase Ⅰ）, but evidently, it became resistant to ribonuclease A （RNase A） only in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl. Its bands in agarose gel could be readily recycled using an agarose gel DNA purification kit. With RT-PCR, the segments of both strawberry mottle virus and Strawberry mild yellow edge virus genomes were amplified by using the virus dsRNA recycled from gel or treated with DNase Ⅰ /RNase A as templates. The system developed for dsRNA isolation and identification in strawberry plants laid a sound foundation for the work on genome analysis of strawberry virus isolates in China.

Isolation,Identification and Pathogenic Characteristics of Duck Hepatitis Virus Isolates

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to determine and analyze the pathogen and the reasons of duck viral hepatitis which is prevalent recently and difficult to control. [Method] Viruses were isolated from livers and spleens of ducks with typical clinical symptoms in Linyi, Weifang, Binzhou and other regions of Shandong Province. The pathogenic characteristics were observed by inoculation in chicken or duck embryo, RT- PCR, serological test, and duck regression. [ Result] Four duck hepatitis virus （DHV） strains were isolated, and the 5th passage allantoic fluid contained 10^3.41 -10^5.20 ELD50/mI. The serum cross protection rate was 20% -80% between the DHV stains and DHV type I. The mortalities of 4- day-old healthy ducks challenged by these four stains were 50% -100%. All challenged ducks had typical lesions of duck viral hepatitis, and the death peak appeared after 24-48 h. [Conclusion] The virulence of different DHV isolates has regional difference.

Isolation and Identification of a Porcine Pseudorabies Virus Strain in Taizhou City

In this study, the liver, kidney and spleen tissues were collected from pigs with suspected PR in a pig farm in Jiangyan District, Taizhou City for virus isolation and identification. The isolated virus was inoculated onto PK15 monolayer cells. The virus culture was collected to extract genomic DNA for PCR assay and indirect immunoinfluscent assay. The results showed that the isolated virus was porcine pseudorabies virus, which was named TAIZ130417. The growth titer of the isolated virus reached 10 8.12 TCID 50 /ml on PK15 cells. Rabbits inoculated with the isolated virus soon exhibited pseudorabies symptoms such as itching and eventually died. The results provided reference for in-depth research and scientific prevention and control of pseudorabies.

Isolation and PCR Identification of Duck Tembusu Virus

Duck tembusu virus disease is one of the most serious infectious diseases endangering duck industry. A strain of virus was isolated from a dead duck,and performed PCR identification and sequence analysis. The results showed that the sequence of the isolate shared above 99% homology with duck tembusu virus( DTMUV) sequence on Gen Bank. The result indicated that the isolated virus was DTMUV.

Isolation and Identification of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus

[ Objective] The aim was to isolate and identify avian infectious bronchitis virus （IBV） from diseased chickens. [ Method] IBVs were iso- lated from the diseased chickens in a chicken farm in Anhui Province with blind passage method to observe virus pathogenicity. Then animal regres- sion test was made to replicate symptoms of bronchial congestion in SPF chickens and S1 gene segments were amplified and isolated, followed by comparison with IBV vaccine strains. [ Result] Detection of Hemagglutinating activity （HA） showed that allantoic fluid had no concerning effect on erythrocyte, suggesting that NDV and AIV were not included in the isolated viruses. However, the erythrocyte could be agglutinated with allantoic fluid treated with 1% of pancreatin, which is in consistent with biological characters of IBV. After SPF chickens were inoculated with the 6^th SPF al- lantoic fluid, bronchial congestion was replicated, proving that the isolated virus was avian IBV, named IBV XZ strain. [ Conclusion] This study pro- vides a theoretical basis for prevention of avian infectious bronchitis.

Isolation and Identification of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus(PEDV) HLJ Strain with IPEC-J2 Cells and Phylogenetic Analysis of Its S Gene

Porcine epidemic diarrhea(PED)is caused by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus(PEDV),and is characterized by vomiting,diarrhea and dehydration of suckling pigs from 80% to 100% morbidity and 50% to 90% mortality,and resulted in tremendous economic losses to swine industry.The PEDV mainly infects small intestine of pigs,resulting in vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of mucosal epithelium.The IPEC-J2 is a pig intestine epithelial cell line,which is similar to the intestinal environment of piglets,can be used to isolate and identify the PEDV field isolates.In this study,it appeared the PEDV typical postmortem changes and histopathological lesion of degeneration and destruction of small intestine in infected piglets,and IHC identified that the PEDV distributed in the mucosa and submucosa of small intestine mostly.Furthermore,the PEDV HLJ strain was successfully isolated and characterized in the IPEC-J2 cells,and indicated that the IPEC-J2 cell line was sensitive to isolate and adapt the PEDV field strain,and could be utilized to multiply the PEDV rapidly.The S gene analysis indicated that the PEDV HLJ strain was the prevailed virus,belonged to Group 1 with attenuated virulent DR13,SC1402 and J-S2/2015 strains isolated in South Korea and China from 2014 to 2015.This study had important theoretical and practical significances on analyzing genetic variation of the PEDV,understanding the pathogenic characteristics of the virus and developing new vaccines for the PED.

Isolation and Identification of Avian Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis Virus

In November 2009, a respiratory disease with rapid transmission, rapid onset and mortality of about 8% appeared many times in a large chicken farm in Jiangsu Province of China. Necropsy revealed tracheal bleeding, kidney enlargement and white-spotted kidney. An isolate from the farm was identified as an avian infectious bronchitis virus （IBV） by chicken embryo inoculation, hemagglutination assay, virus interference assay, animal regression and tracheal rings culture. The complete ,S1 gene was amplified by RT-PCR, and its homology to that of the vaccine strains com- monly used in China was analyzed with DNAStar software. Therefore, the IBV isolate was initially classified into nephropathogenic IBV and named IBV JS09 strain.

Isolation and Identification of Sheep Pseudorabies Virus

In a sheep farm with mixed culture of pig and sheep in Shandong Province,sheep were attacked by a disease featured by foaming at the mouth,neurological symptoms and partial hair slip of legs,and the mortality of the disease was as high as 100%.In order to determine the pathogen,dead sheep were analyzed through pathogen isolation,PCR assay and direct immunofluorescence identification,and the pathogen was confirmed as pseudorabies virus（PRV）.Sequencing results showed that the g E gene of the isolated strain shared the homology of 97%-99% with the nucleotide sequence of known PRV genome in the NCBI databases,suggesting the isolate was PRV.The virus had obvious cytopathic effect through BHK cell line passage till the seventh generation,and the amount of half virus tissue cell infection（TCID50） was 1×107.5/m L following ReedMuench method.Two healthy sheep with the body weight of 20 kg were injected with the viral fluid of the isolate,and typical symptoms of pseu-dorabies（PR） were observed after 4 d.According to clinical symptoms and PCR diagnosis results,the epidemic situation of sheep farm was effec-tively controlled through comprehensive measures such as eliminating swinery in the farm,strengthening disinfection of pigsty,injecting sick sheep with pseudorabies serum,supplementing healthy sheep herb with antivirus traditional medicine Qiqing Baidu granule.

Newcastle Disease Virus Isolation and Its Prevalence in Uganda Poultry Farms

The present research work was carried out to isolate and identify Newcastle disease virus (NDV) by using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and HA-HI virus isolation, embryonated eggs (EE) and chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). A total of 95 clinical (blood, tracheal and cloacal swabs) and post-mortem (brain, lung, colon and spleen) samples were collected from chickens of field outbreaks of suspected Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The HI and HA-HI were employed to detect NDV in tissue homogenates of all the clinical and post-mortem samples as well as laboratory samples (AF and ICF). Among the four different types of post-mortem samples, virus isolation rate was found to be low in body organs. In CEF cell culture system, the rate of virus isolation from all the aforesaid samples was found to be at 100% with the exception of serum samples;while in tracheal and cloacal swabs, it was at 90%;while in serum, it was at 10%, in all clinical cases. The isolation rate of NDV was higher in CEF culture system (66.7%) compared to that of avian embryos (33.3%). Samples were inoculated and the allantoic fluid (AF) of the dead embryos and the infected culture fluid (ICF) of the CEF were harvested at 24 to 96 hours of the post-infection, respectively, which revealed that the virulent strain of NDV is highly prevalent in the region. The prevalence of NDV was established at 1.1%, 2.1% and 4.2% using HA-HI, EE, and CEF methods. Rapid detection and identification of the virus are crucial for the effective control of the disease as conventional diagnostic methods such as virus isolation on embryonated eggs followed by serological identification in haemagglutination-inhibition test are laborious and time-consuming. The speed of the diagnosis can be considerably increased by using methods based on molecular biology, e.g. reverse transcription—polymerase chain reaction. However, the genetic variability of APMV-1 isolates should be considered carefully as the potential cause for false negative results of genetic-based laboratory tests.

Isolation, Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Porcine Encephalomyocarditis Virus Strain HLJ in China

Encephalomyocarditis virus(EMCV)is a positive single-stranded small RNA virus without envelope,which can infect a variety of mammals.Swines are the most susceptible animals,which can cause acute myocarditis and respiratory failure in piglets and reproductive failure in pregnant sows.Diseases caused by EMCV have a wide range of effects on the global swine industry.In this study,a strain of EMCV was isolated from a swine aborted fetus in northeast China.It was identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),electron microscopic observation and indirect immunofluorescence assay.The subsequent results showed that the virus titer of HLJ strain grew to 8.3 lgTCID50 on baby hamster kidney 21(BHK-21)cells.And HLJ strain caused the specific cytopathic effect(CPE)on BHK-21 cells and severe pathological changes in mice.Complete genome sequencing and multiple sequence alignment showed that the homology between HLJ strain and other isolates worldwide was 71.5%-99.7%.Phylogenetic analysis showed that EMCV isolates fell into five clusters:lineageⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,ⅣandⅤ,based on the nucleotide sequences of the entire open reading frame(ORF)and VP1 gene.HLJ isolate was grouped into lineage I.The analyses of amino acid mutation sites of VP1 protein showed that the amino acids at positions 20 and 54 in VP1 junction were unique to HLJ strain.The isolation of HLJ strain enriched the epidemiological database of EMCV.

Cloning of Banana Bunchy Top Virus Chinese Zhangzhou Isolate DNA 4 and the Promoter Activity of Its Non_coding Region

Banana bunchy top virus Chinese Zhangzhou isolate (BBTV-ZZ) DNA 4 was amplified by PCR and cloned. Sequence analysis showed that BBTV-ZZ DNA 4 is 1 039 nucleotides (nts) in length and this virus could be one member of BBTV Asian group. Transcriptional initiation site A, which is at the 269 nucleotide, was preliminarily determined by using 5' RACE method. BBTV-ZZ DNA 4 non-coding region was sub-cloned by PCR and inserted into upstream of gfp : : gus plant expression vector pCAMBIA 1304 to construct recombinant plasmid pTA2. Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring pTA2 was injected into leaves of the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi NC) via Agrobacterium-infiltration procedure. Transient expressions of GUS and GFP were determined in injected leaves 3 - 5 d later. GUS activities of pTA2, pCAMBIA 1304 injected and non-injected tobacco leaves respectively were 1.007 0 pmol MU(.)mug(-1.)min(-1), 2.069 0 pmol MU(.)mug(-1.)min(-1) and 0.021 4 pmol MU(.)mug(-1.)min(-1). Indirect ELISA for GFP in 1 mg total protein from pTA2, pCAMBIA 1304 injected and non-injected leaves showed an A(490 nm) value of 89.577, 100.440 and 3.287, respectively. These results showed that the non-coding region of BBTV-ZZ DNA 4 has a promoter activity not only in the virus replication in monocot, but also in driving the expression of a foreign gene in dicot plants.

Replication of clinical hepatitis B virus isolate and its application for selecting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis B patients

AIM: To establish a cell model harboring replicative clinical hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates and evaluate its application in individualized selection of anti-HBV agents for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS: The full-length HBV genomic DNA from 8 CHB patients was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All the patients were treated with lamivudine for at least seven months and finally became resistant to lamivudine. The amplified HBV DNA fragments were inserted into pHY106 vectors by Sap Ⅰ?digestion. The recombinant plasmids containing 1.1 copies of HBV genome were transiently transfected into Huh7 cell line, and the levels of HBsAg, HBeAg and intercellular HBV replicative intermediates were determined by ELISA and Southern blot analysis, respectively, with or without lamivudine and adefovir treatment. The antiviral treatment with adefovir was administered to the patients and analyzed in parallel. RESULTS: A total of 25 independent HBV isolateswere obtained from the sera of 8 patients, each patient had at least two isolates. One isolate from each individual was selected and subcloned into pHY106 vector, including 5 isolates with YVDD mutation and 3 isolates with YIDD mutation. All recombinant plasmids harboring HBV isolates were transfected into Huh7 cells. The results indicated that HBV genome carried in HBV replicons of clinical HBV isolates could effectively replicate and express in Huh7 cells. Adefovir, but not lamivudine, inhibited HBV replication both in vitro and in vivo, and in vitro inhibition was dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: The novel method described herein enables individualized selection of anti-HBV agents in clinic and is useful in future studies of antiviral therapy for CHB.

Mortality rates from a Nigerian isolate of the <i>Infectious Bursa Disease Virus</i>and passive haemagglutination antibody titer that protects chicks against challenge with the virus isolate

To determine passive haemagglutination (PHA) antibody titer that would protect chicks against Nigerian isolates of the Infectious Bursa Disease Virus (IBDV), five groups of chicks aged 30 days which had different antibody titers were challenged with a Nigerian isolate of virulent IBDV. Mortality rates of the different groups were plotted against their respective mean PHA antibody titers. A group with zero antibody titer had a mortality rate of 75% while those with PHA antibody titers of 185.6, 243.2, 256 and 307.2 had mortality rates of 40%, zero, zero and zero respectively. Linear equation generated for a line of best fit of the graph of mortality rates of the chicks on their IBD antibody titers gave antibody titer (X) at which mortality (Y) would be zero as 300. A mortality of 75% and the high antibody level needed to protect chicks suggest that the isolate may be a hypervirulent strain.

Identification of A Field Strain of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus Isolated from Jiangsu Province

[ Objective] To isolate and identify infectious laryngotracheitis virus （ILTV） from chickens. [ Method] Larynx, trachea, liver and other organs were collected from infectious laryngotracheitis （ILT）-suspected layers. And ILTV TK gene was amplified from these specimens by PCR for initial diagnosis. Virus fluid was isolated and inoculated into SPF chicken embryos via allantoic cavity and chorioallantoic membrane （CAM）, respectively. Hyaluronic acid in allantoic fluid was detected, and CAM lesions were observed. The definite diagnosis was performed through animal regression test. [Result] A 1.3 kbp fragment was amplified from larynx and its secretion of the ILT-suspected chickens. And its amino acid sequence had 98.5% homology to that of ILTV TKgene published in GenBank. After the chicken embryos were inoculated with the isolated ILFV fluid, pox spots, giant polynuclear syncytial cells having intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in CAM. After being challenged by the IL TV fluid, the chickens showed typical respiratory symptoms and pathological changes of ILT. [Coudusion] A field strain named ILTV XZ09 was isolated from larynx and its secretion of ILT-suspected chickens.

Complete genome sequence of two strawberry vein banding virus isolates from China

It was rarely reported about strawberry vein banding virus(SVBV)genome sequence in China and most countries worldwide.In this work,we determined the complete genome sequences of two SVBV isolates in China,designated SVBV-AH and SVBV-BJ,that were obtained from naturally infected strawberry samples from Anhui province and Beijing city of China,respectively.The complete genomes of SVBV-AH and SVBV-BJ were 7,862 nucleotides(nts)and 7,863 nts long,respectively,and both constituted with seven genes typical of the caulimoviruses.Alignment of complete nucleotide sequences showed that SVBV-AH and SVBV-BJ shared a significant nucleotide sequence identity of 97.7%of each other and had 85.7%and 86.0%sequence identity related to SVBV from the United States(SVBV-US),respectively.Phylogenetic trees,based on the alignment of complete nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences of Coat Protein(CP),both showed that SVBV-AH and SVBV-BJ clustered into one branch with all the other SVBV isolates,and other species of caulimoviruses clustered into another tree branch.It illustrated that all the SVBV isolates had an extremely high relationship but had a distant relationship with other species of caulimoviruses.We further confirmed that SVBV-AH infectious clone could cause similar symptoms to SVBVinfected in strawberry under natural conditions.Taken together,our study provided valuable information to elucidate the origin and dissemination of SVBV Chinese isolates,meanwhile providing the necessary vector for studying the gene functions of strawberry.

A Preliminary Study on Genetic Variation of g E Gene of an Epidemic Pseudorabies Virus Strain and Its Pathogenicity to Piglets

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the genetic variation of g E gene of an epidemic pseudorabies virus（PRV） strain and its pathogenicity to piglets. [Method] By serial passage in Vero cells, a PRV strain was isolated from the brain tissues of stillborn fetuses delivered by sows with suspected PRV infection and preliminarily identified by PCR. g E gene of the isolated PRV strain was amplified and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. In addition, the pathogenicity of the isolated PRV strain to 6-week-old piglets was evaluated. [Result] A PRV strain was successfully isolated and named PRV N5 B strain, which could proliferate in Vero cells and TCID50 of the 15 thgeneration virus liquid reached 10^7.125/0.1 ml. Specific bands could be amplified by PCR. g E gene in the isolated PRV strain was 1 740 bp in length. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on full-length g E sequences, which showed that PRV N5 B strain and PRV strains isolated since 2012 were clustered into the same independent category and shared 99.7%-100% homology of nucleotide sequences. Compared with related sequences published previously, there were insertions of three consecutive bases at two loci. Animal experiments showed that intranasal inoculation of 6-week-old piglets with 2 ml of PRV N5 B strain（10^6/0.1 ml） led to a mortality rate of 100%. [Conclusion] In this study,genetic variability of g E gene in PRV N5 B isolate and its pathogenicity to piglets were analyzed, which provided a theoretical basis for the development of new vaccines to prevent and control porcine pseudorabies.

国内首株猪塞内加谷病毒(Seneca Valley virus)的分离鉴定

猪塞内加谷病毒(Seneca Valley virus,SVV)是一种新出现的可感染仔猪及母猪并导致仔猪死亡的病毒。2015年3月份至今年在我国、巴西及美国出现了几起塞内加谷病毒感染猪群并伴随严重的临床症状及发病死亡的疫情,造成严重的经济损失。为分离鉴定SVV,本研究将RT-PCR检测为SVV阳性的猪临床样品无菌处理后接种PK-15细胞,连续传代培养。通过细胞病变、RT-PCR扩增、电镜观察和基因序列测定对细胞培养物进行鉴定。结果表明我们成功分离到国内首株SVV,并将其命名为SVV CH-01-2015。全基因组的系统发育分析表明SVV CH-01-2015位于Senecavirus病毒属,与Senecavirus病毒属中的病毒成员同源性最高,由此可以确定本研究所分离到的SVV属于Senecavirus病毒属。本研究为进一步研究SVV的致病性和致病机制奠定了基础。

Porcine hepatocyte isolation and reversible immortalization mediated by retroviral transfer and site-specific recombination

AIM: To develop a hepatocyte cell line, we immortalized primary porcine hepatocytes with a retroviral vector SSR#69 containing the Simian Virus 40 T antigen (SV40T ag). METHODS: We first established a method of porcine hepatocyte isolation with a modified four-step retrograde perfusion technique. Then the porcine hepatocytes were immortalized with retroviral vector SSR#69 expressing SV40T and hygromycin-resistance genes flanked by paired loxP recombination targets. SV40T cDNA in the expanded cells was subsequently excised by Cre/LoxP site-specific recombination. RESULTS: The resultant hepatocytes with high viability (97%) were successfully immortalized with retroviral vector SSR#69. One of the immortalized clones showed the typical morphological appearance, TJPH-1, and was selected by clone rings and expanded in culture. After excision of the SV40T gene with Cre-recombinase, cells stopped growing. The population of reverted cells exhibited the characteristics of differentiated hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we herein describe a modified method of hepatocyte isolation and subsequently established a porcine hepatocyte cell line mediated by retroviral transfer and site-specific recombination.

Hepatitis C virus-specific cytotoxic T cell response restoration after treatment-induced hepatitis C virus control

Hepatitis C virus(HCV)-specific cytotoxic T cell(CTL) response plays a major role in viral control during spontaneous infection resolution. These cells develop an exhausted and pro-apoptotic status during chronic onset, being unable to get rid of HCV. The role of this response in contributing to sustained viral response(SVR) after anti-HCV is controversial. Recent studies show that after successful interferon-based anti-HCV treatment, HCV traces are still detectable and this correlates with a peak of HCV-specific CTL response activation, probably responsible for maintaining SVR by subsequent complete HCV clearing. Moreover, SVR patients' serum is still able to induce HCV infection in na?ve chimpanzees, suggesting that the infection could be under the control of the immune system after a successful treatment, being transmissible in absence of this adaptive response. At least theoretically, treatmentinduced viral load decrease could allow an effective HCV-specific CTL response reestablishment. This effect has been recently described with anti-HCV interferonfree regimes, based on direct-acting antivirals. Nevertheless, this is to some extent controversial with interferon-based therapies, due to the detrimental immunoregulatory α-interferon effect on T cells. Moreover, HCV-specific CTL response features during anti-HCV treatment could be a predictive factor of SVR that could have clinical implications in patient management. In this review, the recent knowledge about the role of HCV-specific CTL response in the development of SVR after anti-HCV treatment is discussed.

Comparisons of the Pathogenicity between Pigeon-derived and Chickenderived Genotype Ⅵ Newcastle Disease Virus(NDV) Strains in Pigeons

[ Objective]This study aimed to compare differences in the pathogenicity between genotype VI Newcastle disease virus （NDV） strains from pigeons and chickens in pigeons. [ Method] Two-month-old pigeons were artificially inoculated with ZJ3 strain from chickens and WX-10-07-Pi strain from pigeons. After inoc- ulation, the clinical symptoms, pathological anatomical changes, tracheal and cloacal detoxification, and histological lesions of experimental pigeons were observed. [ Result] Both ZJ3 strain and WX-10-07-Pi strain could infect pigeons with the incidence rate of 100%, but the mortality rate was 0. The cloacal detoxification time of pigeons in WX-10-07-Pi infection group was longer, and the virus detection rate was higher; in addition, the virus could be detected in various tissues and organs of inoculated pigeons. [ Conclusion] Different genotypes of NDV are pathogenic to pigeons, but the pathogenicity is related to the features of NDV strains. Genotype VIb NDV from pigeons can be carried and discharged for a long term in pigeons, which can spread in pigeon groups more easily.