Construction of an infectious DNA clone of the Y1 strain of canine parvovirus and characterization of the virus derived from the clone

Establishment of a rescue system for porcine parvovirus using a seamless cloning method

In this study, we describe a novel and rapid method for the construction of a full-length infectious clone (pPPV). The constructed clone contained an engineered EcoRv site that served as a genetic marker and was shown to be infectious when transfected into a monolayer of PK-15 cells. The rescued virus (rPPV) of the infectious clone was found to be indistinguishable from wild-type virus BQ in terms of its biological properties. The generation of this PPV infectious clone provides a potentially powerful tool with which to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of PPV.

Naturally-occurring right terminal hairpin mutations in three genotypes of canine parvovirus (CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c) have no effect on their growth characteristics

We have isolated 4 naturally-occurring strains of CPV in mainland China and have identified them as CPV-2, 2a, 2b and 2c genotypes according to their VP2 sequences which also revealed substitutions within their right terminal regions. To determine if these substitutions affected the growth characteristics of the 4 strains, we constructed plasmids based on their genomic sequences minus their right terminal sequences, with the latter replaced by a single right terminal region. Analysis of rescued recombinants showed that the substitutions within their natural right termini had no significant effect on their growth characteristics.

Substitutions at residues 300 and 389 of the VP2 capsid protein serve as the minimal determinant of attenuation for canine parvovirus vaccine strain 9985-46

Identifying molecular determinants of virulence attenuation in live attenuated canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccines is important for assuring their safety. To this end, we identified mutations in the attenuated CPV 9985-46 vaccine strain that arose during serial passage in Crandell-Rees feline kidney cells by comparison with the wild-type counterpart, as well as minimal determinants of the loss of virulence. Four amino acid substitutions (N93K, G300V, T389N and V562L) in VP2 of strain 9985-46 significantly restricted infection in canine A72 cells. Using an infectious molecular clone system, we constructed isogenic CPVs of the parental virulent 9985 strain carrying single or double mutations. We observed that only a single amino acid substitution in VP2, G300V or T389N, attenuated the virulent parental virus. Combinations of these mutations further attenuated CPV to a level comparable to that of 9985-46. Strains with G300V/T389N substitutions did not induce clinical symptoms in experimentally infected pups, and their ability to infect canine cells was highly restricted. We found that another G300V/V562L double mutation decreased affinity of the virus for canine cells, although its pathogenicity to dogs was maintained. These results indicate that mutation of residue 300, which plays a critical role in host tropism, is not sufficient for viral attenuation in vivo, and that attenuation of 9985-46 strain is defined by at least two mutations in residues 300 and 389 of the VP2 capsid protein. This finding is relevant for quality control of the vaccine and provides insight into the rational design of second-generation live attenuated vaccine candidates.

A rapid method for establishment of a reverse genetics system for canine parvovirus

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is an important and highly prevalent pathogen of dogs that causes acute hemorrhagic enteritis disease. Here, we describe a rapid method for the construction and characterization of a full-length infectious clone (rCPV) of CPV. Feline kidney (F81) cells were transfected with rCPV incorporating an engineered EcoR I site that served as a genetic marker. The rescued virus was indistinguishable from that of wild-type virus in its biological properties.

Photoinactivation of virus infectivity by hypocrellin A

We investigated the photoinactivation of virus infectivity by hypocrellin A and its mechanism. The titers of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), both of which are enveloped viruses, were reduced upon illumination with hypocrellin A in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas canine parvovirus, a nonenveloped virus, was not killed. The removal of oxygen or addition of sodium azide or beta-carotene both inhibited VSV inactivation. Mannitol and superoxide dismutase had no effect on VSV inactivation. These results indicate that singlet oxygen was involved in the process of VSV inactivation. Of the three major VSV membrane proteins, peripheral membrane protein M was most damaged by the hypocrellin A phototreatment.

Rapid method utilizing the polymerase chain reaction for detection of canine parvovirus in feces of diarrheic dogs

By using primers based on the sequence of the VP2 gene of canine parovirus (CPV), we established a rapid and specific assay for identification of the virus from fecal specimens based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). By use of a pair of primers, a specific 226-bp sequence was amplified by the PCR. All strains of CPV tested gave a specific amplification product by the PCR, while neither porcine parovirus nor host cell did so. The PCR assay can detect fewer particles of CPV than the conventional methods, being able to detect CPV from fecal specimens in a rapid manner, provided that gel filtration of the samples through a spun column was done to remove inhibitory substances from the fecal specimens. These results suggest that the PCR assay can detect the presence of CPV in dogs early enough to prevent secondary infection by CPV in veterinary hospitals.