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Patel KK, Austin C, Warner K, Pickett M, Khabiri A, Mahzounieh M, Hemmatzadeh F, Taggart PL. The impact of integrating rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (K5) release with pindone baiting on wild rabbit populations. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10991. [PMID: 38476706 PMCID: PMC10928239 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Several conventional and recently available tools are available for an integrated control of European rabbits in Australia. We quantified the impact of the release of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus K5 (RHDV K5, hereafter K5) and pindone (2-pivalyl-1,3-indandione) baiting at 13 sites within Cudlee Creek fire scar in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. K5 release was followed by pindone baiting between December 2021 and March 2022; the application of both control methods followed industry best practice. We counted rabbits using spotlights before and after the application of both control methods. Fly samples and livers from dead rabbits were collected to track K5 transmission within and between sites, and to detect the natural circulation of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). K5 release had minimal impact on rabbit populations, with treated populations increasing by a mean of 65.5% at 14 days post-release and 27.9% at 77 days post-K5 release across all sites, comparable to the changes at control sites. K5 detection in flies up to 77 days post its release, and its detection in rabbit livers, demonstrates that it can survive and transmit in the environment for prolonged periods and that it can lethally infect some rabbits. This limited impact of K5 is consistent with previous studies and may be explained by pre-existing RHDV/RHDV2 immunity in the target populations or the presence of young rabbits with natural innate RHDV immunity. The detection of K5 in flies from control sites demonstrates that it was vectored beyond its release location. A reduction in rabbit counts post-pindone baiting was observed at most treatment sites, with a mean population reduction of 36.6% across all sites. Landholders need to carefully and strategically plan their integrated rabbit control programmes. Not all combinations of controls, even if theoretically logical, achieve meaningful outcomes for rabbit management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kandarp K. Patel
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesThe University of AdelaideRoseworthySouth AustraliaAustralia
- Davies Livestock Research CentreThe University of AdelaideRoseworthySouth AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Invasive Species SolutionsBruceAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Catherine Austin
- Landscapes Hills and FleurieuMount BarkerSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Katrina Warner
- Landscapes Hills and FleurieuMount BarkerSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Marcus Pickett
- Marcus Pickett Ecological ServicesLobethalSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Aliakbar Khabiri
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesThe University of AdelaideRoseworthySouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Mohammadreza Mahzounieh
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesThe University of AdelaideRoseworthySouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Farhid Hemmatzadeh
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesThe University of AdelaideRoseworthySouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Patrick L. Taggart
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesThe University of AdelaideRoseworthySouth AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Invasive Species SolutionsBruceAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
- Bush Heritage AustraliaVictor HarborSouth AustraliaAustralia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Dorji T, Jayasingha Ellakkala Appuhamilage RMJ, Bird PL, Huang N, O’Connor TW, Patel KK, Strive T, Taggart PL. Optimising the Delivery of RHDV to Rabbits for Biocontrol: An Experimental Evaluation of Two Novel Methods of Virus Delivery. Viruses 2023; 15:1814. [PMID: 37766220 PMCID: PMC10536075 DOI: 10.3390/v15091814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is established as a landscape-scale biocontrol that assists the management of invasive European rabbits and their impacts in both Australia and New Zealand. In addition to this, it is also available to land managers to augment rabbit control efforts at a local scale. However, current methods of deploying RHDV to rabbits that rely on the consumption of virus-treated baits can be problematic as rabbits are reluctant to consume bait when there is abundant, green, protein-rich feed available. We ran a suite of interrupted time-series experiments to compare the duration of infectivity of two conventional (carrot and oat baits) and two novel (meat bait and soil burrow spray) methods of deploying RHDV to rabbits. All methods effectively killed exposed rabbits. Soil burrow spray and carrot baits resulted in infection and mortality out to 5 days post their deployment in the field, and meat baits caused infection out to 10 days post their deployment. In contrast, oat baits continued to infect and kill exposed rabbits out to 20 days post deployment. Molecular assays demonstrated high viral loads in deployed baits beyond the duration for which they were infectious or lethal to rabbits. Based on our results, we suggest that the drying of meat baits may create a barrier to effective transmission of RHDV by adult flies within 10 days. We therefore hypothesise that fly larvae production and development on infected tissues is critical to prolonged viral transmission from meat baits, and similarly from carcasses of RHDV mortalities, via mechanical fly vectors. Our study demonstrates that meat baits and soil spray could provide additional virus deployment options that remove the need for rabbits to consume baits at times when they are reluctant to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tshewang Dorji
- Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia; (T.D.); (R.M.J.J.E.A.); (K.K.P.)
- School of Food, Agriculture and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | | | - Peter L. Bird
- Waite Conservation Reserve, University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia;
| | - Nina Huang
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (N.H.); (T.S.)
| | - Tiffany W. O’Connor
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Department of Primary Industries NSW, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia
| | - Kandarp K. Patel
- Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia; (T.D.); (R.M.J.J.E.A.); (K.K.P.)
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (N.H.); (T.S.)
| | - Patrick L. Taggart
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries NSW, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
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Lopes AM, Almeida T, Diz S, Côrte-Real JV, Osório HC, Ramilo DW, Rebelo MT, da Fonseca IP, Esteves PJ, Alves PC, Santos N, Abrantes J. The potential role of scavenging flies as mechanical vectors of Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2. Virol J 2023; 20:103. [PMID: 37237382 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02065-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations of the Iberian Peninsula have been severely affected by the emergence of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2 (RHDV2/b). Bushflies and blowflies (Muscidae and Calliphoridae families, respectively) are important RHDV vectors in Oceania, but their epidemiological role is unknown in the native range of the European rabbit. In this study, scavenging flies were collected between June 2018 and February 2019 in baited traps at one site in southern Portugal, alongside a longitudinal capture-mark-recapture study of a wild European rabbit population, aiming to provide evidence of mechanical transmission of GI.2 by flies. Fly abundance, particularly from Calliphoridae and Muscidae families, peaked in October 2018 and in February 2019. By employing molecular tools, we were able to detect the presence of GI.2 in flies belonging to the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Fanniidae and Drosophilidae. The positive samples were detected during an RHD outbreak and absent in samples collected when no evidence of viral circulation in the local rabbit population was found. We were able to sequence a short viral genomic fragment, confirming its identity as RHDV GI.2. The results suggest that scavenging flies may act as mechanical vectors of GI.2 in the native range of the southwestern Iberian subspecies O. cuniculus algirus. Future studies should better assess their potential in the epidemiology of RHD and as a tool for monitoring viral circulation in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Lopes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica (UMIB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Tereza Almeida
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Diz
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João V Côrte-Real
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002, Porto, Portugal
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hugo C Osório
- Centro de Estudos de Vectores e Doenças Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Marateca, Portugal
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David W Ramilo
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-s-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Rebelo
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira da Fonseca
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-s-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Pedro J Esteves
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002, Porto, Portugal
- CITS - Center of Investigation in Health Technologies, CESPU, 4585-116, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Paulo C Alves
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santos
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
| | - Joana Abrantes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002, Porto, Portugal.
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Fleming PA, Stobo-Wilson AM, Crawford HM, Dawson SJ, Dickman CR, Doherty TS, Fleming PJS, Newsome TM, Palmer R, Thompson JA, Woinarski JCZ. Distinctive diets of eutherian predators in Australia. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220792. [PMID: 36312571 PMCID: PMC9554524 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction of the domestic cat and red fox has devastated Australian native fauna. We synthesized Australian diet analyses to identify traits of prey species in cat, fox and dingo diets, which prey were more frequent or distinctive to the diet of each predator, and quantified dietary overlap. Nearly half (45%) of all Australian terrestrial mammal, bird and reptile species occurred in the diets of one or more predators. Cat and dingo diets overlapped least (0.64 ± 0.27, n = 24 location/time points) and cat diet changed little over 55 years of study. Cats were more likely to have eaten birds, reptiles and small mammals than foxes or dingoes. Dingo diet remained constant over 53 years and constituted the largest mammal, bird and reptile prey species, including more macropods/potoroids, wombats, monotremes and bandicoots/bilbies than cats or foxes. Fox diet had greater overlap with both cats (0.79 ± 0.20, n = 37) and dingoes (0.73 ± 0.21, n = 42), fewer distinctive items (plant material, possums/gliders) and significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity over 69 years, suggesting the opportunity for prey switching (especially of mammal prey) to mitigate competition. Our study reinforced concerns about mesopredator impacts upon scarce/threatened species and the need to control foxes and cats for fauna conservation. However, extensive dietary overlap and opportunism, as well as low incidence of mesopredators in dingo diets, precluded resolution of the debate about possible dingo suppression of foxes and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A. Fleming
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Alyson M. Stobo-Wilson
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0909, Australia
- CSIRO Land and Water, PMB 44, Winnellie, Northern Territory 0822, Australia
| | - Heather M. Crawford
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Stuart J. Dawson
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, Western Australia 6151, Australia
| | - Chris R. Dickman
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Tim S. Doherty
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Peter J. S. Fleming
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia
- Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia
- Institute for Agriculture and the Environment, Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia.
| | - Thomas M. Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Russell Palmer
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983, Australia
| | - Jim A. Thompson
- Queensland Museum Network, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane BC, Queensland 4101, Australia
| | - John C. Z. Woinarski
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0909, Australia
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5
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History, control, epidemiology, ecology, and economy of the invasion of European rabbits in Chile: a comparison with Australia. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02915-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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6
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Perera KD, Johnson D, Lovell S, Groutas WC, Chang KO, Kim Y. Potent Protease Inhibitors of Highly Pathogenic Lagoviruses: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus and European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0014222. [PMID: 35766511 PMCID: PMC9430360 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00142-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) and European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) are highly contagious diseases caused by lagoviruses in the Caliciviridae family. These infectious diseases are associated with high mortality and a serious threat to domesticated and wild rabbits and hares, including endangered species such as riparian brush rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius). In the United States (U.S.), only isolated cases of RHD had been reported until Spring 2020. However, RHD caused by GI.2/rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV)2/b was unexpectedly reported in April 2020 in New Mexico and has subsequently spread to several U.S. states, infecting wild rabbits and hares and making it highly likely that RHD will become endemic in the U.S. Vaccines are available for RHD; however, there is no specific treatment for this disease. Lagoviruses encode a 3C-like protease (3CLpro), which is essential for virus replication and a promising target for antiviral drug development. We have previously generated focused small-molecule libraries of 3CLpro inhibitors and demonstrated the in vitro potency and in vivo efficacy of some protease inhibitors against viruses encoding 3CLpro, including caliciviruses and coronaviruses. Here, we report the development of the enzyme and cell-based assays for the 3CLpro of GI.1c/RHDV, recombinant GI.3P-GI.2 (RHDV2/b), and GII.1/European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) as well as the identification of potent lagovirus 3CLpro inhibitors, including GC376, a protease inhibitor being developed for feline infectious peritonitis. In addition, structure-activity relationship study and homology modeling of the 3CLpro and inhibitors revealed that lagovirus 3CLpro share similar structural requirements for inhibition with other calicivirus 3CLpro. IMPORTANCE Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) and European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) are viral diseases that affect lagomorphs with significant economic and ecological impacts. RHD vaccines are available, but specific antiviral treatment for these viral infections would be a valuable addition to the current control measures. Lagoviruses encode 3C-like protease (3CLpro), which is essential for virus replication and an attractive target for antiviral drug discovery. We have screened and identified potent small-molecule inhibitors that block lagovirus 3CLpro in the enzyme- and cell-based assays. Our results suggest that these compounds have the potential for further development as antiviral drugs for lagoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishani Dinali Perera
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - David Johnson
- Computational Chemical Biology Core, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Scott Lovell
- Protein Structure Laboratory, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - William C. Groutas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA
| | - Kyeong-Ok Chang
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Yunjeong Kim
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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Calvete C, Delacour S, Oropeza-Velasquez RV, Estrada R, Sarto MP, Iguacel L, Lucientes J, Calvo JH. Experimental Study of the Mechanical Transmission of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2/b) by Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:350-354. [PMID: 34447999 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is caused by a lagovirus mainly affecting European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), although other European and North American lagomorph species are also susceptible to fatal infection by the new viral variant RHDV2/b. In the present work, direct mechanical transmission of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV2/b variant) by the hematophagous Diptera Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) and the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae) was tested. For each species, six and three laboratory rabbits were exposed to bites of dipterous females partially fed on RHDV2/b viral suspension 2 h and 24 h prior to exposure, respectively. The rabbits were then monitored for clinical changes and mortality for 35 d, and seroconversion was assessed by indirect ELISA. No rabbit died or showed clinical signs of disease, and seroconversion was recorded in two rabbits challenged with P. papatasi females fed the viral suspension 2 h prior to exposure. The number of RHDV2/b RNA copies/female was higher in Ae. albopictus than in P. papatasi but the decrease over time of RNA load in Ae. albopictus was greater than that in P. papatasi. The results of this study suggest the inability of Ae. albopictus to serve as a direct mechanical vector of RHDV2/b, but sand flies could play a role in the local transmission of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Calvete
- Animal Production and Health Unit, Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Agrifood Institute of Aragon - IA2 (CITA-University of Zaragoza), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - S Delacour
- Agrifood Institute of Aragon - IA2 (CITA-University of Zaragoza), Zaragoza, Spain
- Animal Pathology Department, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - R Estrada
- Agrifood Institute of Aragon - IA2 (CITA-University of Zaragoza), Zaragoza, Spain
- Animal Pathology Department, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - M P Sarto
- Animal Production and Health Unit, Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - L Iguacel
- Animal Production and Health Unit, Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J Lucientes
- Agrifood Institute of Aragon - IA2 (CITA-University of Zaragoza), Zaragoza, Spain
- Animal Pathology Department, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J H Calvo
- Animal Production and Health Unit, Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Agrifood Institute of Aragon - IA2 (CITA-University of Zaragoza), Zaragoza, Spain
- ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain
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8
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Huneau-Salaün A, Boucher S, Fontaine J, Le Normand B, Lopez S, Maurice T, Nouvel L, Bruchec A, Coton J, Martin G, Le Gall-Reculé G, Le Bouquin S. Retrospective studies on rabbit haemorrhagic disease outbreaks caused by RHDV GI.2 virus on farms in France from 2013 to 2018. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2021.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a critical health threat to the rabbit industry in Europe. In 2018, the French rabbit industry adopted a voluntary control plan against this disease. In this context, two epidemiological studies were conducted on RHD outbreaks that occurred between 2013 and 2018 in France. The objectives were to describe the spread of RHD due to the new genotype RHDV GI.2 (rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus GI.2) and to identify rearing factors influencing the occurrence of the disease in order to guide the prevention measures recommended in the control plan. An analysis of cases on 295 farms between 2013 and 2017 showed that 32% of farms were affected at least once; the incidence of the disease increased in 2016-2017 compared to 2013-2015. Farms already affected in 2013-2015 had a higher risk of being infected in 2016-2017 than those that remained unaffected until 2015 (Relative Risk and 95% Confident Interval 1.7 [1.1-2.7]). A case-control study carried out between 2016 and 2018 on 37 outbreaks and 32 control farms revealed variability in biosecurity and decontamination practices between farms. The risk of being infected tends to be linked to these practices, but certain structural factors (e.g. the manure disposal system, transfer of rabbits at weaning) could also influence the risk of virus introduction into farms. In the context of a limited vaccination coverage of the farms (only females are vaccinated), these hypotheses will be studied further, using information from the RHD outbreak monitoring system implemented at the same time as the control plan in 2018.
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Abstract
Viral diseases, whether of animals or humans, are normally considered as problems to be managed. However, in Australia, two viruses have been used as landscape-scale therapeutics to control European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), the preeminent invasive vertebrate pest species. Rabbits have caused major environmental and agricultural losses and contributed to extinction of native species. It was not until the introduction of Myxoma virus that effective control of this pest was obtained at a continental scale. Subsequent coevolution of rabbit and virus saw a gradual reduction in the effectiveness of biological control that was partially ameliorated by the introduction of the European rabbit flea to act as an additional vector for the virus. In 1995, a completely different virus, Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), escaped from testing and spread through the Australian rabbit population and again significantly reduced rabbit numbers and environmental impacts. The evolutionary pressures on this virus appear to be producing quite different outcomes to those that occurred with myxoma virus and the emergence and invasion of a novel genotype of RHDV in 2014 have further augmented control. Molecular studies on myxoma virus have demonstrated multiple proteins that manipulate the host innate and adaptive immune response; however the molecular basis of virus attenuation and reversion to virulence are not yet understood.
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10
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Comparative Analysis of RNA Virome Composition in Rabbits and Associated Ectoparasites. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.02119-19. [PMID: 32188733 PMCID: PMC7269439 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02119-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectoparasites play an important role in the transmission of many vertebrate-infecting viruses, including Zika and dengue viruses. Although it is becoming increasingly clear that invertebrate species harbor substantial virus diversity, it is unclear how many of the viruses carried by invertebrates have the potential to infect vertebrate species. We used the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a model species to compare virome compositions in a vertebrate host and known associated ectoparasite mechanical vectors, in this case, fleas and blowflies. In particular, we aimed to infer the extent of viral transfer between these distinct types of host. Our analysis revealed that despite extensive viral diversity in both rabbits and associated ectoparasites, and the close interaction of these vertebrate and invertebrate species, biological viral transmission from ectoparasites to vertebrate species is rare. We did, however, find evidence to support the idea of a role of blowflies in transmitting viruses without active replication in the insect. Ectoparasites play an important role in virus transmission among vertebrates. Little, however, is known about the nature of those viruses that pass between invertebrates and vertebrates. In Australia, flies and fleas support the mechanical transmission of two viral biological controls against wild rabbits—rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and myxoma virus. We compared virome compositions in rabbits and these ectoparasites, sequencing total RNA from multiple tissues and gut contents of wild rabbits, fleas collected from these rabbits, and flies trapped sympatrically. Meta-transcriptomic analyses identified 50 novel viruses from multiple RNA virus families. Rabbits and their ectoparasites were characterized by markedly different viromes, with virus abundance greatest in flies. Although viral contigs from six virus families/groups were found in both rabbits and ectoparasites, they clustered in distinct host-dependent lineages. A novel calicivirus and a picornavirus detected in rabbit cecal content were vertebrate specific; the newly detected calicivirus was distinct from known rabbit caliciviruses, while the picornavirus clustered with sapeloviruses. Several picobirnaviruses were also identified that fell in diverse phylogenetic positions, compatible with the idea that they are associated with bacteria. Further comparative analysis revealed that the remaining viruses found in rabbits, and all those from ectoparasites, were likely associated with invertebrates, plants, and coinfecting endosymbionts. While no full genomes of vertebrate-associated viruses were detected in ectoparasites, small numbers of reads from rabbit astrovirus, RHDV, and other lagoviruses were present in flies. This supports a role for flies in the mechanical transmission of RHDV, while their involvement in astrovirus transmission merits additional exploration. IMPORTANCE Ectoparasites play an important role in the transmission of many vertebrate-infecting viruses, including Zika and dengue viruses. Although it is becoming increasingly clear that invertebrate species harbor substantial virus diversity, it is unclear how many of the viruses carried by invertebrates have the potential to infect vertebrate species. We used the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a model species to compare virome compositions in a vertebrate host and known associated ectoparasite mechanical vectors, in this case, fleas and blowflies. In particular, we aimed to infer the extent of viral transfer between these distinct types of host. Our analysis revealed that despite extensive viral diversity in both rabbits and associated ectoparasites, and the close interaction of these vertebrate and invertebrate species, biological viral transmission from ectoparasites to vertebrate species is rare. We did, however, find evidence to support the idea of a role of blowflies in transmitting viruses without active replication in the insect.
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11
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Carvalho CL, Abade dos Santos FA, Fagulha T, Carvalho P, Mendonça P, Monteiro M, Dias Duarte M. Myxoma virus and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 coinfection in a European wild rabbit (
Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus
), Portugal. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2019-001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carina Luisa Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Fábio Alexandre Abade dos Santos
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
- CIISAFaculdade de Medicina VeterináriaUniversidade de LisboaAvenida da Universidade TécnicaLisboaPortugal
| | - Teresa Fagulha
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Paulo Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Paula Mendonça
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Madalena Monteiro
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Margarida Dias Duarte
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
- CIISAFaculdade de Medicina VeterináriaUniversidade de LisboaAvenida da Universidade TécnicaLisboaPortugal
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12
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Hall RN, Huang N, Roberts J, Strive T. Carrion flies as sentinels for monitoring lagovirus activity in Australia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:2025-2032. [PMID: 31127981 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lagoviruses are an essential tool for managing wild rabbit populations in Australia. Our understanding of lagovirus epidemiology in Australia currently depends on members of the public submitting liver samples from dead lagomorphs (i.e. rabbits and hares) through a monitoring program called Rabbitscan. However, many wild lagomorphs die in inaccessible locations or are scavenged before sampling can occur, leading to considerable sampling bias. In this study, we screened field-caught carrion flies for the presence of lagoviruses to monitor virus circulation patterns in the landscape, with an aim to establish a less biased epidemiological surveillance tool. Carrion flies were collected from two study sites over a 22-month period and these samples were used to optimize and validate molecular testing methods in this sample type for the currently circulating lagovirus variants. Virus was clearly detectable in field-caught carrion flies using optimized SYBR-green RT-qPCR and RT-PCR assays. However, variant identification was frequently hindered by the low virus loads present in carrion fly samples and spurious RT-PCR amplification. This was overcome by frequent sampling, which effectively acts as replicate sampling to verify inconclusive results. There was generally good correlation between virus detections and variant identification in carrion flies and in samples recovered from wild lagomorphs. The methods reported here provide an additional surveillance tool to monitor lagovirus spread and circulation at a landscape scale, which in turn can help to guide more effective rabbit management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn N Hall
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Nina Huang
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - John Roberts
- CSIRO Land and Water, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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13
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Population density, roads and altitude influences on spatial distribution of hares positive to EBHSV. Basic Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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14
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Dalton KP, Balseiro A, Juste RA, Podadera A, Nicieza I, Del Llano D, González R, Martin Alonso JM, Prieto JM, Parra F, Casais R. Clinical course and pathogenicity of variant rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in experimentally infected adult and kit rabbits: Significance towards control and spread. Vet Microbiol 2018; 220:24-32. [PMID: 29885797 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RHDVb has become the dominant RHDV on the Iberian Peninsula. A better understanding of its pathogenicity is required to aid control measures. Thus, the clinical course, humoral immune response, viraemia and kinetics of RHDV-N11 (a Spanish RHDVb isolate) infection in different tissues at both viral RNA and protein levels were studied in experimentally infected young and adult rabbits. The case fatality rate differed between the two age groups, with 21% of kits succumbing while no deaths were observed in adults. Fever and viremia were strongly associated with death, which occurred 48 h post infection (PI) too fast for an effective humoral immune response to be mounted. A significant effect on the number of viral RNA copies with regard to the variables age, tissue and time PI (p < 0.0001 in all cases) was detected. Histological lesions in infected rabbits were consistently more frequent and severe in liver and spleen and additionally intestine in kits, these tissues containing the highest levels of viral RNA and protein. Although no adults showed lesions or virus antigen in intestine, both kits and adults maintained steady viral RNA levels from days 1 to 7 PI in this organ. Analysis revealed the fecal route as the main dissemination route of RHDV-N11. Subclinically infected rabbits had detectable viral RNA in their faeces for up to seven days and thus may play an important role spreading the virus. This study allows a better understanding of the transmission of this virus and improvement of the control strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K P Dalton
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus El Cristo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - A Balseiro
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, 33394, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
| | - R A Juste
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, 33394, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
| | - A Podadera
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus El Cristo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - I Nicieza
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus El Cristo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - D Del Llano
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus El Cristo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - R González
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, 33394, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
| | - J M Martin Alonso
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus El Cristo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - J M Prieto
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, 33394, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
| | - F Parra
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus El Cristo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - R Casais
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, 33394, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
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15
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Abade Dos Santos FA, Carvalho C, Nuno O, Correia JJ, Henriques M, Peleteiro MC, Fevereiro M, Duarte MD. Detection of rabbit Haemorrhagic disease virus 2 during the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) eradication from the Berlengas archipelago, Portugal. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:336. [PMID: 29141631 PMCID: PMC5688637 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1257-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the regular wildlife monitoring action carried out in the summer of the past few years at the Berlenga Island, wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been repeatedly found dead. However, the origin of those deaths was never investigated. Our aim was to investigate the cause of death of 11 rabbits collected between April and May 2016. RESULTS While screening samples from rabbit carcasses for the major viral rabbit pathogens, five tested positive to RHDV2 but all were negative for RHDV and myxoma virus (MYXV). For six RHDV2-negative specimens, emaciation and parasitism were considered the most probable cause of death. Lesions identified in the RHDV2-positive rabbits included non-suppurative diffuse hepatic necrosis and pulmonary lesions varying from congestion and oedema of the lungs to interstitial pneumonia. Sequencing analysis of the vp60 gene obtained from two specimens showed identical vp60 sequences. Comparison with other known RHDV2 strains from public databases through BLAST analysis revealed a closer similarity with strains from Alentejo collected during 2013. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis showed that the 2016 strains from the archipelago have a higher resemblance with a group of strains mostly collected in the South of Portugal between 2013 and 2014. CONCLUSION The results suggest that RHDV2 may have been introduced on the Berlenga Island a few years ago, having evolved separately from mainland strains due to insularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A Abade Dos Santos
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Rua Quinta do Pinto N°5 3°D, 2660-067, Loures, Frielas, Portugal.
| | - C Carvalho
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas (ICAAM); Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), Universidade de Évora. Núcleo da Mitra, 7000, Évora, Portugal
| | - Oliveira Nuno
- Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA), Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 87, 3º Andar, 1070-062, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J J Correia
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M Henriques
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Laboratório de Virologia. Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - M C Peleteiro
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M Fevereiro
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Laboratório de Virologia. Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - M D Duarte
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Laboratório de Virologia. Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
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16
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Benign Rabbit Calicivirus in New Zealand. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.00090-17. [PMID: 28363968 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00090-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Czech v351 strain of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV1) is used in Australia and New Zealand as a biological control agent for rabbits, which are important and damaging introduced vertebrate pests in these countries. However, nonpathogenic rabbit caliciviruses (RCVs) can provide partial immunological cross-protection against lethal RHDV infection and thus interfere with effective rabbit biocontrol. Antibodies that cross-reacted against RHDV antigens were found in wild rabbits before the release of RHDV1 in New Zealand in 1997, suggesting that nonpathogenic RCVs were already present in New Zealand. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of nonpathogenic RCV in New Zealand and describe its geographical distribution. RCV and RHDV antibody assays were used to screen serum samples from 350 wild rabbits from 14 locations in New Zealand. The serological survey indicated that both RCV and RHDV are widespread in New Zealand wild rabbits, with antibodies detected in 10 out of 14 and 12 out of 14 populations, respectively. Two closely related RCV strains were identified in the duodenal tissue from a New Zealand wild rabbit (RCV Gore-425A and RCV Gore-425B). Both variants are most closely related to Australian RCV strains, but with 88% nucleotide identity, they are genetically distinct. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the New Zealand RCV strains fall within the genetic diversity of the Australian RCV isolates, indicating a relatively recent movement of RCVs between Australia and New Zealand.IMPORTANCE Wild rabbits are important and damaging introduced vertebrate pests in Australia and New Zealand. Although RHDV1 is used as a biological control agent, some nonpathogenic RCVs can provide partial immunological cross-protection against lethal RHDV infection and thus interfere with its effectiveness for rabbit control. The presence of nonpathogenic RCVs in New Zealand wild rabbits has been long hypothesized, but earlier attempts to isolate a New Zealand RCV strain have been unsuccessful. Therefore, it is important to determine if such nonpathogenic viruses exist in New Zealand rabbits, especially considering the proposed introduction of new RHDV strains into New Zealand as biocontrols.
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17
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Carvalho C, Duarte E, Monteiro J, Afonso C, Pacheco J, Carvalho P, Mendonça P, Botelho A, Albuquerque T, Themudo P, Fevereiro M, Henriques A, Santos Barros S, Dias Duarte M. Progression of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 upon vaccination in an industrial rabbitry: a laboratorial approach. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2017.5708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
<p>Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) emerged recently in several European countries, leading to extensive economic losses in the industry. In response to this new infection, specific inactivated vaccines were developed in Europe and full and rapid setup of protective immunity induced by vaccination was reported. However, data on the efficacy of these vaccines in an ongoing-infection scenario is unavailable. In this study we investigated an infected RHDV2 indoor industrial meat rabbitry, where fatalities continued to occur after the implementation of the RHDV2 vaccination, introduced to control the disease. The aim of this study was to understand if these mortalities were RHDV2-related, to discover if the dead animals showed any common features such as age or time distance from vaccination, and to identify the source of the outbreak. Anatomo-pathological analysis of vaccinated animals with the virus showed lesions compatible with systemic haemorrhagic disease and RHDV2-RNA was detected in 85.7% of the animals tested. Sequencing of the <em>vp60</em> gene amplified from liver samples led to the recognition of RHDV2 field strains demonstrating that after the implementation of vaccination, RHDV2 continued to circulate in the premises and to cause sporadic deaths. A nearby, semi-intensive, RHDV2 infected farm belonging to the same owner was identified as the most probable source of the virus. The main risk factors for virus introduction in these two industries were identified. Despite the virus being able to infect a few of the vaccinated rabbits, the significant decrease in mortality rate observed in vaccinated adult rabbits clearly reflects the efficacy of the vaccination. Nonetheless, the time taken to control the infection also highlights the importance of RHDV2 vaccination prior to the first contact with the virus, highly recommendable in endemic areas, to mitigate the infection’s impact on the industry.</p>
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18
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Hall RN, Capucci L, Matthaei M, Esposito S, Kerr PJ, Frese M, Strive T. An in vivo system for directed experimental evolution of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173727. [PMID: 28288206 PMCID: PMC5348035 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The calicivirus Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is widely used in Australia as a biocontrol agent to manage wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations. However, widespread herd immunity limits the effectiveness of the currently used strain, CAPM V-351. To overcome this, we developed an experimental platform for the selection and characterisation of novel RHDV strains. As RHDV does not replicate in cell culture, variant viruses were selected by serially passaging a highly virulent RHDV field isolate in immunologically naïve laboratory rabbits that were passively immunised 18–24 hours post-challenge with a neutralising monoclonal antibody. After seven passages, two amino acid substitutions in the P2 domain of the capsid protein became fixed within the virus population. Furthermore, a synonymous substitution within the coding sequence of the viral polymerase appeared and was also maintained in all subsequent passages. These findings demonstrate proof-of-concept that RHDV evolution can be experimentally manipulated to select for virus variants with altered phenotypes, in this case partial immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn N. Hall
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Lorenzo Capucci
- IZSLER, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Markus Matthaei
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Simona Esposito
- IZSLER, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Peter J. Kerr
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Frese
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- * E-mail:
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19
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Benign Rabbit Caliciviruses Exhibit Evolutionary Dynamics Similar to Those of Their Virulent Relatives. J Virol 2016; 90:9317-29. [PMID: 27512059 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01212-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Two closely related caliciviruses cocirculate in Australia: rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and rabbit calicivirus Australia 1 (RCV-A1). RCV-A1 causes benign enteric infections in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Australia and New Zealand, while its close relative RHDV causes a highly pathogenic infection of the liver in the same host. The comparison of these viruses provides important information on the nature and trajectory of virulence evolution, particularly as highly virulent strains of RHDV may have evolved from nonpathogenic ancestors such as RCV-A1. To determine the evolution of RCV-A1 we sequenced the full-length genomes of 44 RCV-A1 samples isolated from healthy rabbits and compared key evolutionary parameters to those of its virulent relative, RHDV. Despite their marked differences in pathogenicity and tissue tropism, RCV-A1 and RHDV have evolved in a very similar manner. Both viruses have evolved at broadly similar rates, suggesting that their dynamics are largely shaped by high background mutation rates, and both exhibit occasional recombination and an evolutionary environment dominated by purifying selection. In addition, our comparative analysis revealed that there have been multiple changes in both virulence and tissue tropism in the evolutionary history of these and related viruses. Finally, these new genomic data suggest that either RCV-A1 was introduced into Australia after the introduction of myxoma virus as a biocontrol agent in 1950 or there was drastic reduction of the rabbit population, and hence of RCV-A1 genetic diversity, perhaps coincident with the emergence of myxoma virus. IMPORTANCE The comparison of closely related viruses that differ profoundly in propensity to cause disease in their hosts offers a powerful opportunity to reveal the causes of changes in virulence and to study how such changes alter the evolutionary dynamics of these pathogens. Here we describe such a novel comparison involving two closely related RNA viruses that cocirculate in Australia, the highly virulent rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and the nonpathogenic rabbit calicivirus Australia 1 (RCV-A1). Both viruses infect the European rabbit, but they differ in virulence, tissue tropism, and mechanisms of transmission. Surprisingly, and despite these fundamental differences, RCV-A1 and RHDV have evolved at very similar (high) rates and with strong purifying selection. Furthermore, candidate key mutations were identified that may play a role in virulence and/or tissue tropism and therefore warrant further investigation.
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20
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Duarte M, Carvalho C, Bernardo S, Barros SV, Benevides S, Flor L, Monteiro M, Marques I, Henriques M, Barros SC, Fagulha T, Ramos F, Luís T, Fevereiro M. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) outbreak in Azores: Disclosure of common genetic markers and phylogenetic segregation within the European strains. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2015; 35:163-71. [PMID: 26247721 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is widespread in several countries of Western Europe, but it has not been introduced to other continents. However, between late 2014 and early 2015, the presence of RHDV2 was confirmed outside of the European continent, in the Azores, initially in the islands of Graciosa, Flores, S. Jorge and Terceira. In this study we report the subsequent detection of RHDV2 in wild rabbits from the islands of Faial, St. Maria and S. Miguel, and display the necropsy and microscopic examination data obtained, which showed lesions similar to those induced by classical strains of RHDV, with severe affection of lungs and liver. We also disclose the result of a genetic investigation carried out with RHDV2 positive samples from wild rabbits found dead in the seven islands. Partial vp60 sequences were amplified from 27 tissue samples. Nucleotide analysis showed that the Azorean strains are closely related to each other, sharing a high genetic identity (>99.15%). None of the obtained sequences were identical to any RHDV2 sequence publically known, hampering a clue for the source of the outbreaks. However, Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses disclosed that Azorean strains are more closely related to a few strains from Southern Portugal than with any others presently known. In the analysed region comprising the terminal 942 nucleotides of the vp60 gene, four new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified. Based on the present data, these four SNPs, which are unique in the strains from Azores, may constitute putative molecular geographic markers for Azorean RHDV2 strains, if they persist in the future. One of these variations is a non-synonymous substitution that involves the replacement of one amino acid in a hypervariable region of the capsid protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Duarte
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Virology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Carina Carvalho
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas - ICAAM, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, 7000 Évora, Portugal
| | - Susana Bernardo
- Laboratório Regional de Veterinária dos Açores, Vinha Brava 9700-236, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Vanessa Barros
- Laboratório Regional de Veterinária dos Açores, Vinha Brava 9700-236, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
| | - Sandra Benevides
- Laboratório Regional de Veterinária dos Açores, Vinha Brava 9700-236, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
| | - Lídia Flor
- Laboratório Regional de Veterinária dos Açores, Vinha Brava 9700-236, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
| | - Madalena Monteiro
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Pathology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Marques
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2781-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Margarida Henriques
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Virology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sílvia C Barros
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Virology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa Fagulha
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Virology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Ramos
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Virology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago Luís
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Virology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Fevereiro
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Virology Laboratory, Rua General Morais Sarmento, 1500-311 Lisbon, Portugal
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Almeida T, Lopes AM, Magalhães MJ, Neves F, Pinheiro A, Gonçalves D, Leitão M, Esteves PJ, Abrantes J. Tracking the evolution of the G1/RHDVb recombinant strains introduced from the Iberian Peninsula to the Azores islands, Portugal. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2015; 34:307-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Liu J, Fordham DA, Cooke BD, Cox T, Mutze G, Strive T. Distribution and prevalence of the Australian non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus is correlated with rainfall and temperature. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113976. [PMID: 25486092 PMCID: PMC4259302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Australia relies heavily on rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) for the biological control of introduced European wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, which are significant economic and environmental pests. An endemic non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus termed RCV-A1 also occurs in wild rabbits in Australian and provides partial protection against lethal RHDV infection, thus interfering with effective rabbit control. Despite its obvious importance for rabbit population management, little is known about the epidemiology of this benign rabbit calicivirus. METHODS We determined the continent-wide distribution and prevalence of RCV-A1 by analysing 1,805 serum samples from wild rabbit populations at 78 sites across Australia for the presence of antibodies to RCV-A1 using a serological test that specifically detects RCV-A1 antibodies and does not cross-react with co-occurring RHDV antibodies. We also investigated possible correlation between climate variables and prevalence of RCV-A1 by using generalised linear mixed effect models. RESULTS Antibodies to RCV-A1 were predominantly detected in rabbit populations in cool, high rainfall areas of the south-east and south-west of the continent. There was strong support for modelling RCV-A1 prevalence as a function of average annual rainfall and minimum temperature. The best ranked model explained 26% of the model structural deviance. According to this model, distribution and prevalence of RCV-A1 is positively correlated with periods of above average rainfall and negatively correlated with periods of drought. IMPLICATIONS Our statistical model of RCV-A1 prevalence will greatly increase our understanding of RCV-A1 epidemiology and its interaction with RHDV in Australia. By defining the environmental conditions associated with the prevalence of RCV-A1, it also contributes towards understanding the distribution of similar viruses in New Zealand and Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- June Liu
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosystem Sciences Division, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Damien A. Fordham
- The Environment Institute and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Brian D. Cooke
- Institute of Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Tarnya Cox
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia
| | - Greg Mutze
- Natural Resources Management Biosecurity Unit, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosystem Sciences Division, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Duarte MD, Henriques AM, Barros S, Luís T, Fagulha T, Ramos F, Fevereiro M. New insight into the epidemiology of rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses in Portugal: Retrospective study reveals the circulation of genogroup 5 (G5) in Azores and discloses the circulation of G1 and G6 strains in mainland until 2008. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 27:149-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Elsworth P, Cooke BD, Kovaliski J, Sinclair R, Holmes EC, Strive T. Increased virulence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus associated with genetic resistance in wild Australian rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Virology 2014; 464-465:415-423. [PMID: 25146599 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The release of myxoma virus (MYXV) and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) in Australia with the aim of controlling overabundant rabbits has provided a unique opportunity to study the initial spread and establishment of emerging pathogens, as well as their co-evolution with their mammalian hosts. In contrast to MYXV, which attenuated shortly after its introduction, rapid attenuation of RHDV has not been observed. By studying the change in virulence of recent field isolates at a single field site we show, for the first time, that RHDV virulence has increased through time, likely because of selection to overcome developing genetic resistance in Australian wild rabbits. High virulence also appears to be favoured as rabbit carcasses, rather than diseased animals, are the likely source of mechanical insect transmission. These findings not only help elucidate the co-evolutionary interaction between rabbits and RHDV, but reveal some of the key factors shaping virulence evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Elsworth
- Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Canberra, Australia
| | - Brian D Cooke
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Canberra, Australia; University of Canberra, Institute for Applied Ecology, ACT, Canberra, Australia
| | - John Kovaliski
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Canberra, Australia; Biosecurity South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ronald Sinclair
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Canberra, Australia; Biosecurity South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases & Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Canberra, Australia; CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Canberra, ACT, Australia; CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Canberra, Australia.
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Kovaliski J, Sinclair R, Mutze G, Peacock D, Strive T, Abrantes J, Esteves PJ, Holmes EC. Molecular epidemiology of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus in Australia: when one became many. Mol Ecol 2013; 23:408-20. [PMID: 24251353 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) was introduced into Australia in 1995 as a biological control agent against the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We evaluated its evolution over a 16-year period (1995-2011) by examining 50 isolates collected throughout Australia, as well as the original inoculum strains. Phylogenetic analysis of capsid protein VP60 sequences of the Australian isolates, compared with those sampled globally, revealed that they form a monophyletic group with the inoculum strains (CAPM V-351 and RHDV351INOC). Strikingly, despite more than 3000 rereleases of RHDV351INOC since 1995, only a single viral lineage has sustained its transmission in the long-term, indicative of a major competitive advantage. In addition, we find evidence for widespread viral gene flow, in which multiple lineages entered individual geographic locations, resulting in a marked turnover of viral lineages with time, as well as a continual increase in viral genetic diversity. The rate of RHDV evolution recorded in Australia -4.0 (3.3-4.7) × 10(-3) nucleotide substitutions per site per year - was higher than previously observed in RHDV, and evidence for adaptive evolution was obtained at two VP60 residues. Finally, more intensive study of a single rabbit population (Turretfield) in South Australia provided no evidence for viral persistence between outbreaks, with genetic diversity instead generated by continual strain importation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kovaliski
- NRM Biosecurity, Biosecurity South Australia, PO Box 1671, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Ron Sinclair
- NRM Biosecurity, Biosecurity South Australia, PO Box 1671, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Greg Mutze
- NRM Biosecurity, Biosecurity South Australia, PO Box 1671, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - David Peacock
- NRM Biosecurity, Biosecurity South Australia, PO Box 1671, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.,CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Black Mountain Laboratories, Clunies Ross Street, Black Mountain, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Joana Abrantes
- CIBIO/UP Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos/Universidade do Porto, InBio, Laboratório Associado, Campus Agrário de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.,INSERM, U892, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Pedro J Esteves
- INSERM, U892, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,CITS, Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias da Saúde, IPSN, CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Abstract
Viral diseases of rabbits have been used historically to study oncogenesis (e.g. rabbit fibroma virus, cottontail rabbit papillomavirus) and biologically to control feral rabbit populations (e.g. myxoma virus). However, clinicians seeing pet rabbits in North America infrequently encounter viral diseases although myxomatosis may be seen occasionally. The situation is different in Europe and Australia, where myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease are endemic. Advances in epidemiology and virology have led to detection of other lapine viruses that are now recognized as agents of emerging infectious diseases. Rabbit caliciviruses, related to rabbit hemorrhagic disease, are generally avirulent, but lethal variants are being identified in Europe and North America. Enteric viruses including lapine rotavirus, rabbit enteric coronavirus and rabbit astrovirus are being acknowledged as contributors to the multifactorial enteritis complex of juvenile rabbits. Three avirulent leporid herpesviruses are found in domestic rabbits. A fourth highly pathogenic virus designated leporid herpesvirus 4 has been described in Canada and Alaska. This review considers viruses affecting rabbits by their clinical significance. Viruses of major and minor clinical significance are described, and viruses of laboratory significance are mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Kerr
- CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Thomas M. Donnelly
- The Kenneth S. Warren Institute, 712 Kitchawan Road, Ossining, NY 10562, USA
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Jahnke M, Holmes EC, Kerr PJ, Wright JD, Strive T. Evolution and phylogeography of the nonpathogenic calicivirus RCV-A1 in wild rabbits in Australia. J Virol 2010; 84:12397-404. [PMID: 20861266 PMCID: PMC2976393 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00777-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its potential importance for the biological control of European rabbits, relatively little is known about the evolution and molecular epidemiology of rabbit calicivirus Australia 1 (RCV-A1). To address this issue we undertook an extensive evolutionary analysis of 36 RCV-A1 samples collected from wild rabbit populations in southeast Australia between 2007 and 2009. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the entire capsid sequence, six clades of RCV-A1 were defined, each exhibiting strong population subdivision. Strikingly, our estimates of the time to the most recent common ancestor of RCV-A1 coincide with the introduction of rabbits to Australia in the mid-19th century. Subsequent divergence events visible in the RCV-A1 phylogenies likely reflect key moments in the history of the European rabbit in Australia, most notably the bottlenecks in rabbit populations induced by the two viral biocontrol agents used on the Australian continent, myxoma virus and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). RCV-A1 strains therefore exhibit strong phylogeographic separation and may constitute a useful tool to study recent host population dynamics and migration patterns, which in turn could be used to monitor rabbit control in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Jahnke
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2600, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 3D1 University of Canberra, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Edward C. Holmes
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2600, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 3D1 University of Canberra, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Peter J. Kerr
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2600, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 3D1 University of Canberra, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - John D. Wright
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2600, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 3D1 University of Canberra, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Tanja Strive
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2600, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 3D1 University of Canberra, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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Alda F, Gaitero T, Suárez M, Merchán T, Rocha G, Doadrio I. Evolutionary history and molecular epidemiology of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in the Iberian Peninsula and Western Europe. BMC Evol Biol 2010; 10:347. [PMID: 21067589 PMCID: PMC2992527 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-10-347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a highly virulent calicivirus, first described in domestic rabbits in China in 1984. RHDV appears to be a mutant form of a benign virus that existed in Europe long before the first outbreak. In the Iberian Peninsula, the first epidemic in 1988 severely reduced the populations of autochthonous European wild rabbit. To examine the evolutionary history of RHDV in the Iberian Peninsula, we collected virus samples from wild rabbits and sequenced a fragment of the capsid protein gene VP60. These data together with available sequences from other Western European countries, were analyzed following Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to infer their phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary rates and demographic history. RESULTS Evolutionary relationships of RHDV revealed three main lineages with significant phylogeographic structure. All lineages seem to have emerged at a common period of time, between ~1875 and ~1976. The Iberian Peninsula showed evidences of genetic isolation, probably due to geographic barriers to gene flow, and was also the region with the youngest MRCA.Overall, demographic analyses showed an initial increase and stabilization of the relative genetic diversity of RHDV, and a subsequent reduction in genetic diversity after the first epidemic breakout in 1984, which is compatible with a decline in effective population size. CONCLUSIONS Results were consistent with the hypothesis that the current Iberian RHDV arose from a single infection between 1869 and 1955 (95% HPD), and rendered a temporal pattern of appearance and extinction of lineages. We propose that the rising positive selection pressure observed throughout the history of RHDV is likely mediated by the host immune system as a consequence of the genetic changes that rendered the virus virulent. Consequently, this relationship is suggested to condition RHDV demographic history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Alda
- Dpto. Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC). José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM). Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Tania Gaitero
- Dpto. Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Suárez
- Dpto. Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás Merchán
- Dpto. Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal, Universidad de Extremadura. Av. Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600 Plasencia, Spain
| | - Gregorio Rocha
- Dpto. Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal, Universidad de Extremadura. Av. Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600 Plasencia, Spain
| | - Ignacio Doadrio
- Dpto. Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC). José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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García-Bocanegra I, Astorga RJ, Napp S, Huerta B, Carbonero A, Perea A, Arenas A. Factors affecting the seroprevalence of lagovirus infection in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Southern Spain. Vet J 2010; 189:89-94. [PMID: 20643566 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2009] [Revised: 06/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cross-sectional studies were carried out on wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Southern Spain to assess the prevalence of lagovirus infection and to identify potentially associated risk factors. A total of 619 blood and 487 liver samples from wild rabbits were collected from seven hunting areas with different Mediterranean ecosystems. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between seropositivity and an extensive set of variables. The seroprevalence was 29.2% (95% CI: 25.6-32.8) and lagoviruses were not detected in liver samples. Logistic regression indicated that seropositivity to lagoviruses was associated with seropositivity to myxomatosis, wild rabbit density, the existence of artificial feeding sites, mean maximum monthly temperatures of 20-30 °C, and annual accumulated rainfall of >600 mm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO, Campus Universitarios de Rabanales, Apdo. 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
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Vriesekoop F, Shaw R. The Australian bush fly (Musca vetustissima) as a potential vector in the transmission of foodborne pathogens at outdoor eateries. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2010; 7:275-9. [PMID: 19895260 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2009.0366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Australian outdoor activities are often accompanied by a barbeque (BBQ) with family, friends, and guests, which are often interrupted by uninvited guests in the form of the Australian bush fly, Musca vetustissima. We investigated the bacterial loading associated with the Australian bush in three different environments: on a cattle farm, in a typical urban area (shopping center car park), and at a BBQ. The highest bacterial populations per fly were found to occur in a farm environment ( approximately 9.1 x 10(4) CFU per fly), whereas the bacterial population was lowest on flies caught in an urban environment ( approximately 1.9 x 10(4) CFU per fly). The median CFU per fly caught near a BBQ was approximately 5.0 x 10(4). Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated potential pathogen, whereas Shigella sp. was the least common bacterial isolate that was screened. All isolated foodborne pathogens or indicator bacteria were screened for antibiotic resistance against commonly prescribed antibiotics. This revealed a very high prevalence of multidrug resistance, especially among the Salmonella and Shigella isolates of 94% and 87% resistance, respectively, against amoxicillin, roxythromycin and cefaclor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Vriesekoop
- Institute of Food and Crop Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
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Strive T, Wright J, Kovaliski J, Botti G, Capucci L. The non-pathogenic Australian lagovirus RCV-A1 causes a prolonged infection and elicits partial cross-protection to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus. Virology 2010; 398:125-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2009] [Revised: 11/19/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Myxomatosis in wild rabbit: Design of control programs in Mediterranean ecosystems. Prev Vet Med 2010; 93:42-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2008] [Revised: 08/27/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Transmission of feline calicivirus via the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Parasitol Res 2009; 105:185-9. [PMID: 19277714 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1381-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Accepted: 02/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a possible role of the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) in transmitting feline calicivirus (FCV) was examined. Fleas were fed via artificial membranes with FCV-spiked bovine blood, free of anti-FCV antibodies. Flea feces were collected daily for 10 days and incubated at room temperature. Infectivity of the feces was tested in vitro using Crandell-Reese Feline Kidney (CRFK) cells. FCV remained infectious for 8 days. These flea feces were also used to oronasally inoculate four specific pathogen-free (SPF) kittens. All kittens were successfully infected as demonstrated by virus isolation from pharyngeal swabs and seroconversion. Two of the cats showed, in addition, clinical signs. Besides the infection of cats with flea feces containing FCV, four SPF kittens were exposed to fleas that were fed with FCV-spiked bovine blood. One of the kittens was successfully infected via this route as demonstrated by virus isolation from pharyngeal swabs and virus isolation. The results of this study show that fleas can spread infectious virus through their feces or by stitch and must be considered a source of infection for uninfected cats.
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35
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Abstract
Viral disease in the rabbit is encountered infrequently by the clinical practitioner; however, several viral diseases were reported to occur in this species. Viral diseases that are described in the rabbit primarily may affect the integument, gastrointestinal tract or, central nervous system or maybe multi-systemic in nature. Rabbit viral diseases range from oral papillomatosis, with benign clinical signs, to rabbit hemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, which may result in significant clinical disease and mortality. The wild rabbit may serve as a reservoir for disease transmission for many of these viral agents. In general, treatment of viral disease in the rabbit is supportive in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aric P Krogstad
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, W108 Veterinary Medical Building 1600 East Rollins, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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