1
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Cooke B. Practical Suggestions for Assessing Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 Risk to Endangered Native Lagomorphs in North America and Southern Africa. Viruses 2024; 16:1299. [PMID: 39205273 PMCID: PMC11359914 DOI: 10.3390/v16081299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
A new form of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, RHDV2, first observed in European rabbits, has spread widely among different species of hares in Europe, jackrabbits and cottontails in North America, and hares in southern Africa. However, only limited surveillance studies have been undertaken so far. It is suggested that methods developed for controlling the disease in farmed rabbits in Europe and studying the efficacy of RHDV as a biological control agent in Australia could facilitate epidemiological research on those recently affected lagomorph species. This would enable the assessment of the risk of RHDV2 to native lagomorphs, including endangered species, and the determination of the main host species of RHDV2. Because RHDV2 has not spread equally through all lagomorph species, epidemiological studies could give insights into factors important for determining host susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Cooke
- Foundation for Rabbit Free Australia, P.O. Box 145, Collinswood, Adelaide, SA 5081, Australia
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2
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Ringenberg JM, Weir K, Linder T, Lenoch J. Detections of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) Following the 2020 Outbreak in Wild Lagomorphs across the Western United States. Viruses 2024; 16:1106. [PMID: 39066268 PMCID: PMC11281353 DOI: 10.3390/v16071106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly infectious, often fatal viral disease that affects both domestic and wild lagomorph species. In the United States (U.S.), the virus first was detected in wild lagomorph populations in the southwest in March 2020 and has continued to be detected in native North American lagomorph species over several years. The susceptibility of host species and exact mechanisms of environmental transmission across the U.S. landscape remain poorly understood. Our study aims to increase the understanding of RHDV2 in wild lagomorph populations by providing a history of detection. We present and summarize results from all RHDV2-suspect wild lagomorph morbidity and mortality samples submitted for diagnostic testing in the U.S. from March 2020 to March 2024. Samples were submitted from 916 wild lagomorphs across eight native North American species in 14 western states, of which 313 (34.2%) tested positive by RHDV2 RT-qPCR. Detections of RHDV2 in pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) and riparian brush rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) suggest that the risk to threatened and endangered species warrants more attention. Continuing to investigate wild lagomorph morbidity and mortality events and tracking RHDV2 detections over time can help inform on disease epidemiology and wild lagomorph population trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jourdan M. Ringenberg
- National Wildlife Disease Program, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; (K.W.); (T.L.); (J.L.)
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3
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Abrantes J, Bertagnoli S, Cavadini P, Esteves PJ, Gavier-Widén D, Hall RN, Lavazza A, Le Gall-Reculé G, Mahar JE, Marchandeau S, Lopes AM. Comment on Shah et al. Genetic Characteristics and Phylogeographic Dynamics of Lagoviruses, 1988-2021. Viruses 2023, 15, 815. Viruses 2024; 16:927. [PMID: 38932219 PMCID: PMC11209181 DOI: 10.3390/v16060927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Shah and colleagues [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Abrantes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; (J.A.); (P.J.E.)
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Stéphane Bertagnoli
- Laboratoire Interactions Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, CEDEX 3, 31076 Toulouse, France;
| | - Patrizia Cavadini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (P.C.); (A.L.)
- WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Pedro J. Esteves
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; (J.A.); (P.J.E.)
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 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
| | - Dolores Gavier-Widén
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA), 75189 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Robyn N. Hall
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
- Ausvet Pty Ltd., Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (P.C.); (A.L.)
- WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ghislaine Le Gall-Reculé
- Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Avian & Rabbit Virology, Immunology & Parasitology Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses), 22440 Ploufragan, France;
| | - Jackie E. Mahar
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Animal Health Laboratory and Health and Biosecurity, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia;
| | | | - Ana M. Lopes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; (J.A.); (P.J.E.)
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
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Tokarz-Deptuła B, Kulus J, Baraniecki Ł, Stosik M, Deptuła W. Characterisation of Lagovirus europaeus GI-RHDVs (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Viruses) in Terms of Their Pathogenicity and Immunogenicity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5342. [PMID: 38791380 PMCID: PMC11120834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease viruses (RHDV) belong to the family Caliciviridae, genus Lagovirus europaeus, genogroup GI, comprising four genotypes GI.1-GI.4, of which the genotypes GI.1 and GI.2 are pathogenic RHD viruses, while the genotypes GI.3 and GI.4 are non-pathogenic RCV (Rabbit calicivirus) viruses. Among the pathogenic genotypes GI.1 and GI.2 of RHD viruses, an antigenic variant of RHDV, named RHDVa-now GI.1a-RHDVa, was distinguished in 1996; and in 2010, a variant of RHDV-named RHDVb, later RHDV2 and now GI.2-RHDV2/b-was described; and recombinants of these viruses were registered. Pathogenic viruses of the genotype GI.1 were the cause of a disease described in 1984 in China in domestic (Oryctolagus (O.) cuniculus domesticus) and wild (O. cuniculus) rabbits, characterised by a very rapid course and a mortality rate of 90-100%, which spread in countries all over the world and which has been defined since 1989 as rabbit haemorrhagic disease. It is now accepted that GI.1-RHDV, including GI.1a-RHDVa, cause the predetermined primary haemorrhagic disease in domestic and wild rabbits, while GI.2-RHDV2/b cause it not only in rabbits, including domestic rabbits' young up to 4 weeks and rabbits immunised with rabbit haemorrhagic disease vaccine, but also in five various species of wild rabbits and seven different species of hares, as well as wild ruminants: mountain muskoxen and European badger. Among these viruses, haemagglutination-positive, doubtful and harmful viruses have been recorded and described and have been shown to form phylogenogroups, immunotypes, haematotypes and pathotypes, which, together with traits that alter and expand their infectious spectrum (rabbit, hare, wild ruminant, badger and various rabbit and hare species), are the determinants of their pathogenicity (infectivity) and immunogenicity and thus shape their virulence. These relationships are the aim of our consideration in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakub Kulus
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (J.K.); (W.D.)
| | - Łukasz Baraniecki
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Michał Stosik
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, 65-516 Zielona Gora, Poland;
| | - Wiesław Deptuła
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (J.K.); (W.D.)
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5
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Bosco-Lauth AM, Schueler A, Midthun E, Tyra H, Held A, Hood C, Quilici M, Erickson S, Glover S, Gustafson B, Anderson G. Vaccination against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) Using a Baculovirus Recombinant Vaccine Provides Durable Immunity in Rabbits. Viruses 2024; 16:538. [PMID: 38675881 PMCID: PMC11054048 DOI: 10.3390/v16040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) emerged in the United States in 2018 and has spread in both domestic and wild rabbits nationwide. The virus has a high mortality rate and can spread rapidly once introduced in a rabbit population. Vaccination against RHDV2 provides the best protection against disease and should be considered by all rabbit owners. Here, we investigate the duration of immunity provided by vaccination with the Medgene Platform conditionally licensed commercial vaccine 6 months following the initial series. Rabbits received either the vaccination or a placebo and were challenged with RHDV2 6 months later. All vaccinated rabbits survived challenge whereas 18/19 non-vaccinated controls succumbed to infection within 10 or fewer days post-challenge. These results demonstrate lasting immunity following vaccination with the Medgene RHDV2 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Bosco-Lauth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA (H.T.)
| | | | - Edward Midthun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA (H.T.)
| | - Hailey Tyra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA (H.T.)
| | - Amanda Held
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA (H.T.)
| | - Claire Hood
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA (H.T.)
| | - Marissa Quilici
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA (H.T.)
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6
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Hall RN, Trought K, Strive T, Duckworth JA, Jenckel M. First Detection and Circulation of RHDV2 in New Zealand. Viruses 2024; 16:519. [PMID: 38675862 PMCID: PMC11053765 DOI: 10.3390/v16040519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhage disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly pathogenic lagovirus that causes lethal disease in rabbits and hares (lagomorphs). Since its first detection in Europe in 2010, RHDV2 has spread worldwide and has been detected in over 35 countries so far. Here, we provide the first detailed report of the detection and subsequent circulation of RHDV2 in New Zealand. RHDV2 was first detected in New Zealand in 2018, with positive samples retrospectively identified in December 2017. Subsequent time-resolved phylogenetic analysis suggested a single introduction into the North Island between March and November 2016. Genetic analysis identified a GI.3P-GI.2 variant supporting a non-Australian origin for the incursion; however, more accurate identification of the source of the incursion remains challenging due to the wide global distribution of the GI.3P-GI.2 variant. Furthermore, our analysis suggests the spread of the virus between the North and South Islands of New Zealand at least twice, dated to mid-2017 and around 2018. Further phylogenetic analysis also revealed a strong phylogeographic pattern. So far, no recombination events with endemic benign New Zealand rabbit caliciviruses have been identified. This study highlights the need for further research and surveillance to monitor the distribution and diversity of lagoviruses in New Zealand and to detect incursions of novel variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn N. Hall
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
- Ausvet Pty Ltd., Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia;
| | - Katherine Trought
- Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand; (K.T.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Tanja Strive
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Janine A. Duckworth
- Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand; (K.T.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Maria Jenckel
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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7
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Krejmer-Rąbalska M, Peplińska M, Szewczyk B, Fitzner A. Serological characterisation of Lagovirus virus-like particles originating from native and mutated VP60 of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 and European brown hare syndrome virus. J Vet Res 2024; 68:9-17. [PMID: 38525228 PMCID: PMC10960260 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2024-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since lagoviruses cannot be cultivated in vitro, using expression systems is an alternative and promising way of producing diagnostic viral antigens. It opens up their use as active immunogens for vaccine production. Material and Methods Virus-like particles (VLPs) were produced in a baculovirus expression system in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) insect cells based on wild-type and mutated variants of the virus capsid VP60 protein from a Polish strain of European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) and wild-type and mutated versions of this protein from a Polish strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). The mutations were the substitution of an arginylglycylaspartic acid (Arg-Gly-Asp/RGD) motif in the P2 subdomain and, in the S or P2 domain, the substitution of three lysines. The VLPs were purified with sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Results Protein production was confirmed by Western blot analysis using rabbit or hare sera and ELISA tests with different types of monoclonal antibody. The haemagglutination properties of some VLPs were also evaluated. Electron microscopy of wild-type EBHSV, wild-type RHDV2 and the four VP60 variants produced in this experiment revealed the formation of characteristic VLP structures. Conclusion For the first time, mutated VLPs of RHDV2 with an RGD motif in the VP60 sequence were obtained, which could potentially be used to deliver cargo to eukaryotic cells. Virus-like particles based on the VP60 proteins of EBHSV and RHDV with a three-lysine substitution in the S or P2 domains were also obtained. Potential exists for VLPs of EBHSV and RHDV2 as vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Krejmer-Rąbalska
- Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-307Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Peplińska
- Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-307Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bogusław Szewczyk
- Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-307Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Andrzej Fitzner
- Department of Foot and Mouth Disease, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
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Cavadini P, Trogu T, Velarde R, Lavazza A, Capucci L. Recombination between non-structural and structural genes as a mechanism of selection in lagoviruses: The evolutionary dead-end of an RHDV2 isolated from European hare. Virus Res 2024; 339:199257. [PMID: 38347757 PMCID: PMC10654597 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The genus Lagovirus, belonging to the family Caliciviridae, emerged around the 1980s. It includes highly pathogenic species, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV/GI.1) and European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV/GII.1), which cause fatal hepatitis, and nonpathogenic viruses with enteric tropism, rabbit calicivirus (RCV/GI.3,4) and hare calicivirus (HaCV/GII.2). Lagoviruses have evolved along two independent genetic lineages: GI (RHDV and RCV) in rabbits and GII (EBHSV and HaCV) in hares. To be emphasized is that genomes of lagoviruses, like other caliciviruses, are highly conserved at RdRp-VP60 junctions, favoring intergenotypic recombination events at this point. The recombination between an RCV (genotype GI.3), donor of non-structural (NS) genes, and an unknown virus, donor of structural (S) genes, likely led to the emergence of a new lagovirus in the European rabbit, called RHDV type 2 (GI.2), identified in Europe in 2010. New RHDV2 intergenotypic recombinants isolated in rabbits in Europe and Australia originated from similar events between RHDV2 (GI.2) and RHDV (GI.1) or RCV (GI.3,4). RHDV2 (GI.2) rapidly spread worldwide, replacing RHDV and showing several lagomorph species as secondary hosts. The recombination events in RHDV2 viruses have led to a number of viruses with very different combinations of NS and S genes. Recombinant RHDV2 with NS genes from hare lineage (GII) was recently identified in the European hare. This study investigated the first RHDV2 (GI.2) identified in Italy in European hare (RHDV2_Bg12), demonstrating that it was a new virus that originated from the recombination between RHDV2, as an S-gene donor and a hare lagovirus, not yet identified but presumably nonpathogenic, as an NS gene donor. When rabbits were inoculated with RHDV2_Bg12, neither deaths nor seroconversions were recorded, demonstrating that RHDV2_Bg12 cannot infect the rabbit. Furthermore, despite intensive and continuous field surveillance, RHDV2_Bg12 has never again been identified in either hares or rabbits in Italy or elsewhere. This result showed that the host specificity of lagoviruses can depend not only on S genes, as expected until today, but potentially also on some species-specific NS gene sequences. Therefore, because RHDV2 (GI.2) infects several lagomorphs, which in turn probably harbor several specific nonpathogenic lagoviruses, the possibility of new speciation, especially in those other than rabbits, is real. RHDV2 Bg_12 demonstrated this, although the attempt apparently failed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cavadini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Tiziana Trogu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Roser Velarde
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WEH) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Capucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Domanico M, Cavadini P, Nardini R, Cecca D, Mastrandrea G, Eleni C, Galietta V, Attili L, Pizzarelli A, Onorati R, Amoruso C, Stilli D, Pacchiarotti G, Merzoni F, Caprioli A, Ricci I, Battisti A, Lavazza A, Scicluna MT. Pathological and virological insights from an outbreak of European brown hare syndrome in the Italian hare ( Lepus corsicanus). Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1250787. [PMID: 37928681 PMCID: PMC10622795 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1250787] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease, mainly affecting European brown hares (Lepus europaeus). The etiological agent, EBHS virus (EBHSV), belongs to the Lagovirus genus within the Caliciviridae family. The Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus) is endemic to Central-Southern Italy and Sicily and is classified as a vulnerable species. L. corsicanus is known to be susceptible to EBHS, but virological data available is scarce due to the few cases detected so far. In this study, we describe the occurrence of EBHS in two free-ranging L. corsicanus, found dead in a protected area of Central Italy. The two hares were identified as L. corsicanus using phenotypic criteria and confirmed through mitochondrial DNA analysis. Distinctive EBHS gross lesions were observed at necropsy and confirmed by subsequent histological examination. EBHSV was detected in the livers of the two animals initially using an antigen detection ELISA, followed by an EBHSV-specific reverse transcription-PCR, thus confirming the viral infection as the probable cause of death. The EBHS viruses detected in the two hares were identical, as based on blast analysis performed for the VP60 sequences and showed 98.86% nucleotide identity and 100% amino acid identity with strain EBHSV/GER-BY/EI97.L03477/2019, isolated in Germany in 2019. Phylogenetic analysis places our virus in group B, which includes strains that emerged after the mid-1980s. This study supports previous reports of EBHS in L. corsicanus and further expands the knowledge of the pathological and virological characteristics of the etiological agent. The ability of EBHSV to cause a fatal disease in the Italian hare represents a serious threat to the conservation of this vulnerable species, especially in populations kept in enclosed protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariagiovanna Domanico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cavadini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberto Nardini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Cecca
- Segretariato Generale della Presidenza della Repubblica—Servizio Tenuta di Castelporziano, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mastrandrea
- Segretariato Generale della Presidenza della Repubblica—Servizio Tenuta di Castelporziano, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Eleni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Galietta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Attili
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Pizzarelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Onorati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Amoruso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Stilli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Pacchiarotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Merzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Caprioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Ida Ricci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Battisti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Scicluna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), Rome, Italy
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Sahraoui L, Lahouassa H, Maziz-Bettahar S, Lopes AM, Almeida T, Ainbaziz H, Abrantes J. First detection and molecular characterization of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Algeria. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1235123. [PMID: 37745217 PMCID: PMC10513046 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1235123] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first detection of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has been responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide, both in domestic and in wild rabbits. Despite the apparent control of RHD in rabbitries through vaccination, several studies highlighted the rapid evolution of RHDV by recombination, which may facilitate the emergence of new pathogenic strains. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence and characterize RHDV in Algeria. For this, rabbit samples were collected in the north of Algeria, between 2018 and 2021, from small farms where the virus was suspected after the sudden death of a high number of rabbits, and from healthy hunted wild rabbits. The domestic rabbits revealed clinical signs and lesions that were suggestive of RHD. RT-PCR showed that 79.31% of the domestic rabbit samples were positive for RHDV, while in 20.69%, including the hunted rabbits, the virus was not detected. Phylogenetic analysis of the Algerian strains allowed the confirmation and identification as GI.2 (RHDV2), and showed a close relation to GI.3P-GI.2 recombinant strains, suggesting a potential introduction from other countries, with an older strain potentially originated from neighboring Tunisia, while more recent isolates grouped with strains from North America. Our study reports for the first time the presence of GI.2 (RHDV2) in Algeria with multiple routes of introduction. Consequently, we propose that RHDV control in Algeria should be based on epidemiological surveys in association with an adequate prophylactic program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Sahraoui
- Laboratory of Animal Health and Production, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Hichem Lahouassa
- Laboratory of Animal Health and Production, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Samia Maziz-Bettahar
- Laboratory of Animal Health and Production, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Algiers, Algeria
- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahlab University of Blida1, Blida, Algeria
| | - Ana M. Lopes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tereza Almeida
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Hacina Ainbaziz
- Laboratory of Animal Health and Production, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Joana Abrantes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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11
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Kardia E, Fakhri O, Pavy M, Mason H, Huang N, Smertina E, Jenckel M, Peng NYG, Estes MK, Strive T, Frese M, Smith I, Hall RN. Hepatobiliary organoids derived from leporids support the replication of hepatotropic lagoviruses. J Gen Virol 2023; 104. [PMID: 37584657 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Lagovirus of the family Caliciviridae contains some of the most virulent vertebrate viruses known. Lagoviruses infect leporids, such as rabbits, hares and cottontails. Highly pathogenic viruses such as Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 1 (RHDV1) cause a fulminant hepatitis that typically leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation within 24-72 h of infection, killing over 95 % of susceptible animals. Research into the pathophysiological mechanisms that are responsible for this extreme phenotype has been hampered by the lack of a reliable culture system. Here, we report on a new ex vivo model for the cultivation of lagoviruses in cells derived from the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). We show that three different lagoviruses, RHDV1, RHDV2 and RHDVa-K5, replicate in monolayer cultures derived from rabbit hepatobiliary organoids, but not in monolayer cultures derived from cat (Felis catus) or mouse (Mus musculus) organoids. Virus multiplication was demonstrated by (i) an increase in viral RNA levels, (ii) the accumulation of dsRNA viral replication intermediates and (iii) the expression of viral structural and non-structural proteins. The establishment of an organoid culture system for lagoviruses will facilitate studies with considerable implications for the conservation of endangered leporid species in Europe and North America, and the biocontrol of overabundant rabbit populations in Australia and New Zealand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egi Kardia
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Omid Fakhri
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Megan Pavy
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Hugh Mason
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Nina Huang
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Elena Smertina
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Maria Jenckel
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Nias Y G Peng
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Mary K Estes
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tanja Strive
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Michael Frese
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Ina Smith
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Robyn N Hall
- Health and Biosecurity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
- Present address: Ausvet, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
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12
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Mukhin AN, Alekseev KP, Yuzhakov AG, Selezneva EV, Moskvinа AS, Verkhovsky OA, Aliper TI. [Antigenic and immunogenic activity of virus-like particles based on rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (Caliciviridae: Lagovirus) genotypes GI1 and GI2 recombinant major capsid proteins]. Vopr Virusol 2023; 68:132-141. [PMID: 37264848 DOI: 10.36233/0507-4088-164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is an acute highly contagious infection associated with two genotypes of pathogenic Lagovirus. Antibodies to major capsid protein (Vp60) are protective. The aim of the work ‒ is an evaluation of antigenic and immunogenic activity of virus-like particles (VLPs) based on recombinant major capsid proteins of both genotypes of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) (recVP60-GI1 and recVP60-GI2). MATERIALS AND METHODS Baculovirus-expressed VLPs were evaluated using electron microscopy and administered to clinically healthy 1.53 month old rabbits in a dose of 50 g. Rabbits were challenged with 103 LD50 of virulent strains Voronezhsky-87 and Tula 21 days post immunization. Serum samples were tested for the presence of RHDV-specific antibodies. RESULTS VLPs with hemagglutination activity forming VLP 3040 nm in size were obtained in Hi-5 cell culture. Specific antibody titers in rabbits measured by ELISA were 1 : 200 to 1 : 800 on 21th day post immunization with VLPs. Immunogenic activity of recVP60-GI1 VLPs was 90 and 40%, while it was 30 and 100% for recVP60-GI2 VLPs after the challenge with RHDV genotypes 1 and 2 respectively. The immunogenicity of two VLPs in mixture reached 100%. DISCUSSION VLPs possess hemagglutinating, antigenic and immunogenic activity, suggesting their use as components in substances designed for RHDV specific prophylaxis in rabbits. Results of the control challenge experiment demonstrated the need to include the antigens from both RHDV genotypes in the vaccine. CONCLUSION Recombinant proteins recVP60-GI1 and recVP60-GI2 form VLPs that possess hemagglutinating an antigenic activity, and provide 90100% level of protection for animals challenged with RHDV GI1 and GI2 virulent strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A G Yuzhakov
- Federal Scientific Center - All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin and Ya.R. Kovalenko of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | | | - A S Moskvinа
- Research Institute for Diagnosis and Prevention of Human and Animal Diseases
| | - O A Verkhovsky
- Research Institute for Diagnosis and Prevention of Human and Animal Diseases
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13
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Santoro S, Aguayo-Adán JA, Rouco C. Comparison of the Impact between Classical and Novel Strains of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease on Wild Rabbit Populations in Spain. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12050728. [PMID: 37237540 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The outbreaks of two strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) (GI.1 and GI.2) in the Iberian Peninsula have caused substantial economic losses in commercial rabbitries and have affected the conservation of rabbit-sensitive predators due to the dramatic decline of their natural populations. However, the assessment of the impact of both RHD strains on wild rabbit populations has been limited to a few small-scale studies. Little is known about the overall impact within its native range. In this study, we described and compared the effects of GI.1 and GI.2 countrywide by using time series of hunting bag data widely available across the country and compared their trend during the first eight years after the first outbreak of GI.1 (i.e., 1998) and GI.2 (i.e., 2011), respectively. We used Gaussian generalised additive models (GAM) with the number of hunted rabbits as the response variable and year as the predictor to evaluate the non-linear temporal dynamics of the population at the national and regional community levels. The first GI.1 caused a population decline of around 53%, affecting most Spanish regional communities where the disease occurred. The positive trend observed after GI.1 in Spain ended with the initial outbreak of GI.2, which did not appear to cause a national population decline. In contrast, we found significant variability in the rabbit population trend among regional communities, where some increased, and others decreased. Such a disparity is unlikely to be explained by a single factor; rather, it appears to result from several factors, such as climatic conditions, host resistance improvement, virulence attenuation, or population density. Our study suggests that a national comprehensive hunting bag series could aid in elucidating the differences in the impact of emerging diseases on a large scale. Future research should focus on national longitudinal serological studies to shed light on the immunological status of rabbit populations in different regions to better understand the evolution of RHD strains and the resistance gained by the wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Santoro
- Departamento de Ciencias Integradas, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Aguayo-Adán
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Área de Ecología, Universidad de Córdoba, 14006 Códoba, Spain
| | - Carlos Rouco
- Departamento Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Área de Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
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14
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Status of Infectious Diseases in Free-Ranging European Brown Hares ( Lepus europaeus) Found Dead between 2017 and 2020 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020239. [PMID: 36839511 PMCID: PMC9959346 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is a quite adaptable species, but populations have been decreasing for several decades in different countries, including Germany. To investigate infectious diseases as possible influences on observed population decline in the German federal state Schleswig-Holstein, 118 deceased free-ranging European brown hares were collected between 2017 and 2020 and underwent detailed postmortem examination with extended sampling. Infectious diseases were a major cause of death (34.7%). The number of juveniles found exceeded the adult ones. The main pathomorphological findings were hepatitis (32.8%), pneumonia (22.2%), nephritis (19.1%), liver necrosis (12.9%), and enteritis (40.7%). An unusual main finding was steatitis (20.9%) of unknown origin. Animals were mainly emaciated and showed high infection rates with Eimeria spp. (91.3%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (36.2%). European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus reached an epidemic status with few fatal infections (4.2%) and high seroprevalence (64.9%), whereas the prevalence of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 was very low (0.8%) in hares in Schleswig-Holstein. Pathogens such as Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (5.9%), Pasteurella multocida (0.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus (3.4%) only caused sporadic deaths. This study illustrates the wide distribution of various infectious pathogens with high mortality and even zoonotic potential. Infectious diseases need to be considered as an important influence on population dynamics in Schleswig-Holstein.
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15
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The pathogenicity comparison of Lagovirus europaeus GI.1 and GI.2 strains in China by using relative quantitative assay. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20518. [PMID: 36443356 PMCID: PMC9705280 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25118-0] [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: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lagovirus europaeus GI.1 belongs to Lagovirus in the Caliciviridae family. GI.1 causes an acute, septic, and highly lethal disease in rabbits. Lagovirus europaeus GI.2, a new variant of GI.1, has caused explosive mortality in rabbits of all ages in Sichuan Province, China. To explore the differences in pathogenicity of rabbits infected with GI.1/GI.2, we investigated the virulence and disease progression of a naturally occurring GI.1/GI.2 in 4-week-old, 13-week-old, and 25-week-old New Zealand White laboratory rabbits after GI.1/GI.2 infection. Objective measures of disease progression were recorded using continuous body-temperature monitoring. We observed the kittens were infected with GI.2 during the most urgent course of the disease, and GI.1 was not lethal to kittens. We found that the target organ of both GI.1 and GI.2 was the liver, but the disease course of the two viruses was differed. Our study enriches the research on the pathogenicity of GI.1 and GI.2 under the same conditions.
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16
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Structural Basis for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Antibody Specificity. J Virol 2022; 96:e0121722. [PMID: 36326275 PMCID: PMC9682983 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01217-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Isolated RHDV antibodies have been used for decades to distinguish between antigenic variants, monitor temporal capsid evolution, and examine neutralizing capacities. In this study, we provided the structural basis for an RHDV GI.2 specific diagnostic antibody (2D9) binding and reveal that a small number of amino acid substitutions at the binding site could differentiate between RHDV GI.2 and GI.1b.
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17
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European Brown Hare Syndrome in Poland: Current Epidemiological Situation. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112423. [PMID: 36366520 PMCID: PMC9698305 DOI: 10.3390/v14112423] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is one of the main causes of mortality in brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in Europe. Since the mid-1990s, this highly lethal and contagious plague has been widespread in many European countries, contributing to a drastic decline in the number of free-living and farmed hares. A second lagovirus, able to infect some species of hares is rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) recognised in 2010, a new viral emergence of RHDV (GI.1) which is known to be responsible for haemorrhagic disease in rabbits-RHD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current EBHS epidemiological situation on the basis of the presence of antibodies to European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) and anti-RHDV2 antibodies in sera collected from free-ranging hares in Central and Southeastern Poland in 2020-2021. Additionally, studies on the presence of EBHSV and RHDV2 antigens or their genetic material in the blood and internal organs taken from brown hares between 2014 - 2021 have been carried out. The results of the serological examination showed nearly 88% of tested blood samples were positive for EBHSV antibodies. No EBHSV was identified in the examined hares using virological and molecular tests. The positive results of EBHS serological studies confirmed the circulation and maintenance of EBHSV in free-living brown hares in Poland. However, no serological, virological or molecular evidence was obtained indicating that the brown hares tested had been in contact with RHDV2.
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18
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Sawyers E, Cox TE, Fleming PJS, Leung LKP, Morris S. Social interactions of juvenile rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and their potential role in lagovirus transmission. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271272. [PMID: 35901018 PMCID: PMC9333329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), which is a calicivirus, is used as a biocontrol agent to suppress European wild rabbit populations in Australia. The transmission of RHDV can be influenced by social interactions of rabbits; however, there is a paucity of this knowledge about juvenile rabbits and the roles they may play in the transmission of RHDV. We aimed to quantify the social interactions of juvenile (< 900 g) and adult (> 1200 g) rabbits in a locally abundant population in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Twenty-six juvenile and 16 adult rabbits were fitted with VHF proximity loggers to monitor intra- and inter-group pairings. Use of multiple warrens by these rabbits was investigated using VHF base stations at nine warrens and on foot with a hand-held Yagi antenna. Juvenile rabbits were strongly interconnected with both juveniles and adults within and outside their warren of capture, and almost all juveniles were well-connected to other individuals within their own social group. Inter-group pairings were infrequent and fleeting between adults. Both juvenile and adult rabbits used multiple warrens. However, visits to warrens outside their warren of capture, particularly those within 50 m, were more common and longer in duration in juveniles than in adults. The high connectivity of juveniles within and between warrens in close proximity increases potential pathogen exchange between warrens. Therefore, juvenile rabbits could be of greater importance in lagovirus transmission than adult rabbits. The strength of juvenile rabbit inter- and intra-group pairings, and their tendency to use multiple warrens, highlight their potential to act as ‘superspreaders’ of both infection and immunity for lagoviruses and other pathogens with similar lifecycles. Confirmation of this potential is required through examination of disease progress and rabbit age-related immune responses during outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Sawyers
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Tarnya E. Cox
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter J. S. Fleming
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Luke K. P. Leung
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen Morris
- Fisheries Research, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar, New South Wales, Australia
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19
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Cheng J, Tang A, Chen J, Zhang D, Meng C, Li C, Wei H, Liu G. PseudoRHDV constructed with feline calicivirus genome as vector has the characteristics of well proliferation in vitro. J Virol Methods 2022; 307:114572. [PMID: 35760209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2022.114572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a major member of the Caliciviridae. which is fatal to wild and domestic European rabbit. Because RHDV does not reproduce stably in vitro, molecular studies on this pathogen have been limited. Feline calicivirus (FCV), also a member of the Caliciviridae, reproduces well in vitro and is a good viral vector. As these viruses share similar genomic structures, we hypothesized that a chimeric infectious clone could be constructed by replacing the corresponding regions of the FCV genome with the structural proteins VP60 and VP10 and the 3' non-translated region of the RHDV genome. Transfection of the infectious clone into RK13 cells made it possible to rescue the chimeric virus, named pseudoRHDV, which reproduced in an RK13 cell line with high titer. An infectious pseudoRHDV was produced, which proliferated in RK13 cells to at least 15 generations. PseudoRHDV caused significant cytopathic changes in the RK13 cells, with a viral titer was 9.74 log10 TCID50 / mL. The pseudoRHDV constructed in this study will be helpful for investigating the molecular biology of RHDV, especially its interaction with the host. The model can also be used to explore some common laws between FCV and RHDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Aoxing Tang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Da Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chunchun Meng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chuanfeng Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hulai Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Guangqing Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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20
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Qi R, Meng C, Zhu J, Li H, Miao Q, Tang J, Tang A, Guo H, Liu C, Li C, Chen Z, Wang F, Zhang Q, Liu G. The outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic virus type 2 in the interior of China may be related to imported semen. Virol Sin 2022; 37:623-626. [PMID: 35513269 PMCID: PMC9437509 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified one RHD case caused by a new RHDV variant (GI.2) in China through HA, TEM, and genome sequencing. This is the first study to demonstrate that GI.2 can replicate efficiently in the reproductive system. Our evidence suggests that GI.2 might be introduced into China by contaminated rabbit semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibin Qi
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chunchun Meng
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hang Li
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Qiuhong Miao
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jingyu Tang
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Aoxing Tang
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hongyuan Guo
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chuncao Liu
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chuanfeng Li
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zongyan Chen
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Qinwen Zhang
- Veterinary Medicine Department of Agricultural and Animal College, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China,Corresponding authors.
| | - Guangqing Liu
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China,Corresponding authors.
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21
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Capucci L, Cavadini P, Lavazza A. Viral haemorrhagic disease: RHDV type 2 ten years later. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2022.16505] [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
Until the early 1980s, it was totally unknown that lagomorphs were the hosts of several caliciviruses, which were included in the genus Lagovirus by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) in 2000. In those years, two new diseases appeared, with very similar clinical and pathological profiles and associated high mortality rates: rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in rabbits and European Brown Hare Syndrome (EBHS) in European brown hares. It took a few years to ascertain that both diseases, actually acute and fatal forms of hepatitis, were caused by two genetically related caliciviruses, but they were finally classified by ICTV into two distinct viral species on the basis of their molecular characterisation and epidemiological data: RHDV in rabbit and EBHSV in brown hare. RHD has had a devastating effect on rabbit farms, causing great economic damage, especially in China, where RHD was first noticed around 1982, and in Europe. RHD has also severely affected wild rabbit populations, whose drastic decline has caused serious ecological imbalances in territories such as Spain, where rabbits are a central link in the wildlife food chain. Since the early 1990s, with the increased availability on the market of RHDV vaccines effective in protecting rabbits from RHD, the impact of the disease on rabbit farms has been significantly reduced. In the following years, also considering that RHDV is an endemic virus that cannot be eradicated, farmers learned how to manage the continuous use of RHDV vaccine in relation to the epidemiological situation, the type of breeding farm and the costs of vaccination prophylaxis. Although precarious, management of the RHD risk for rabbit farmers reached an acceptable equilibrium, which was, however, completely upset starting from 2010 by the emergence of another lagovirus also causing RHD. The genome of the newly emerged virus shows limited differences from that of RHDV, but the phenotypic traits of the two viruses are distinctive in at least three main respects: 1) The antigenic profile of the virus (the “face” of the virus recognised by the antibodies) is largely different from that of RHDV. 2) Newborn rabbits only a couple of weeks old die of RHD when infected with the new virus, while RHDV infections run asymptomatic until 7-8 wk of age. 3) The new virus, which started in Europe, has spread over the years to several continents, affecting wild and/or domestic rabbit populations. During this worldwide distribution, the new virus infected several lagomorph species and was shown to cause RHD in most of them. Considering these marked differences and the fact that the new virus is not a variant of RHDV, we proposed the name RHDV type 2 (RHDV2). All these main distinctive traits that differentiate RHDV from RHDV2 have the following consequences in practice: 1) The antigenic difference between RHDV and RHDV2 (their ‘faces’) is so great that we need “new” specific vaccines to control RHDV2 (i.e. RHDV2 is a new serotype). 2) In the event of an RHDV2 infection in suckling rabbits, the presence of maternal antibodies to RHDV2 in the blood is the only way to prevent RHD. In contrast, newborns are naturally resistant to RHD if infected with RHDV and therefore, in terms of protection, the presence of maternal antibodies is useless. 3) When RHD outbreaks occur in territories where rabbits live in sympatry with populations of other lagomorphs, viral contamination in the environment reaches sufficiently high levels to facilitate the transmission of RHDV2 to other lagomorphs, including those with a lower susceptibility to infection than the rabbit. Taken together, these phenotypic traits characteristic of RHDV2 are the reason for its rapid spread across the territory and the concomitant disappearance of RHDV. Probably the most striking example of the epidemiological consequences related to the peculiar features of RHDV2 is its rapid spread in the USA and Mexico, where it is now practically endemic. There, despite repeated isolated outbreaks of RHD caused by RHDV from 2000 onwards in small rabbit farms, RHDV has never been able to become endemic.
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Development and Evaluation of a Duplex Lateral Flow Assay for the Detection and Differentiation between Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus Lagovirus europaeus/GI.1 and /GI.2. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030401. [PMID: 35336775 PMCID: PMC8945490 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease is caused by a virus that affects the liver, the spleen and the lungs of rabbits, causing hepatitis, splenomegaly and haemorrhages. A new genotype of the virus was first reported in France in 2010 and has spread globally since then, replacing most of the circulating former viruses in many countries. The detection of the virus and the differentiation of both genotypes is of crucial importance for disease surveillance. In this article, a rapid test for antigen detection is described and evaluated, providing the first description of a quick and easy-to-use test that allows for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of the genotypes. A total of 136 samples, rabbit liver samples and liver exudates (liquid collected after freeze–thawing) classified as infected and non-infected, were analysed, with good results. These data confirm that the developed rapid test can be used as a reliable diagnostic test for disease surveillance, especially in farms and the field. Abstract Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2, recently named Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2) was first reported in France in 2010 and has spread globally since then, replacing most of the circulating former RHDV (genotype GI.1) in many countries. The detection and differentiation of both genotypes is of crucial importance for the surveillance of the disease. In this article, a duplex lateral flow assay (LFA) for antigen detection is described and evaluated, providing the first description of a quick and easy-to-use test that allows for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of RHDV genotypes GI.1 and GI.2. A panel of GI.1- or GI.2-infected and non-infected rabbit liver samples and liver exudates (136 samples) was analysed, obtaining a total sensitivity of 94.4% and specificity of 100%. These data confirm that the developed duplex LFA can be used as a reliable diagnostic test for RHD surveillance, especially in farms and the field.
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Byrne AW, Marnell F, Barrett D, Reid N, Hanna REB, McElroy MC, Casey M. Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) in Ireland Focusing on Wild Irish Hares (Lepus timidus hibernicus): An Overview of the First Outbreaks and Contextual Review. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030288. [PMID: 35335613 PMCID: PMC8953227 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) is a pathogenic lagovirus that emerged in 2010, and which now has a global distribution. Outbreaks have been associated with local population declines in several lagomorph species, due to rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)-associated mortality raising concerns for its potential negative impact on threatened or vulnerable wild populations. The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is endemic to Ireland, and is of conservation interest. The first cases of RHDV2 in Ireland were reported in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in 2016, soon followed by the first known case in a wild rabbit also in 2016, from a population reported to be experiencing high fatalities. During summer 2019, outbreaks in wild rabbits were confirmed in several locations throughout Ireland. Six cases of RHDV2 in wild hares were confirmed between July and November 2019, at four locations. Overall, 27 cases in wildlife were confirmed in 2019 on the island of Ireland, with a predominantly southern distribution. Passive surveillance suggests that the Irish hare is susceptible to lethal RHDV2 infection, and that spillover infection to hares is geographically widespread in eastern areas of Ireland at least, but there is a paucity of data on epidemiology and population impacts. A literature review on RHD impact in closely related Lepus species suggests that intraspecific transmission, spillover transmission, and variable mortality occur in hares, but there is variability in reported resistance to severe disease and mortality amongst species. Several key questions on the impact of the pathogen in Irish hares remain. Surveillance activities throughout the island of Ireland will be important in understanding the spread of infection in this novel host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W. Byrne
- One-Health Scientific Support Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, D02 WK12 Dublin, Ireland;
- Correspondence: or
| | - Ferdia Marnell
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), D07 N7CV Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Damien Barrett
- One-Health Scientific Support Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, D02 WK12 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Neil Reid
- Institute of Global Food Security (IGFS), School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK;
| | - Robert E. B. Hanna
- Veterinary Science Division (VSD), Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK;
| | - Máire C. McElroy
- Bacteriology and Parasitology Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Backweston, W23 VW2C Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Mícheál Casey
- Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVL) Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Backweston, W23 VW2C Dublin, Ireland;
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Chen M, Fan Z, Hu B, Song Y, Wei H, Qiu R, Zhu W, Xu W, Wang F. Pathogenicity of the newly emerged Lagovirus europaeus GI.2 strain in China in experimentally infected rabbits. Vet Microbiol 2021; 265:109311. [PMID: 34965497 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In April 2020, rabbit hemorrhagic virus type 2 (Lagovirus europaeus GI.2), which causes highly infectious fatal rabbit hemorrhagic disease, was emerged in China. The phylogenetic analyses of the complete genome sequence of GI.2 showed that it belonged to the non-recombinant GI.3/GI.2 genotype. However, the pathogenicity of this GI.2 strain differed from that of early typical GI.2 strains in Europe. To prevent the spread of the new strain in China, its pathogenicity urgently needs to be studied. Thus, viral shedding and distribution as well as clinical symptoms, histopathological changes, and serum cytokines were studied in experimentally GI.2/SC2020-infected rabbit adults and kits. The kit group showed a shorter survival time after the challenge than the adult group did. The mortality rate was higher in the kits (80 %) than in the adults (30 %). Viral RNA could be detected in both nasal and fecal swabs, and the main dissemination route appeared to be the fecal route. Viral RNA rapidly increased in the blood of the adults and kits at 6 h post-infection, indicating that blood viral load testing can be used for early diagnosis. The most affected organs were the liver and spleen, and the lesions were more severe in the kits than in the adults. The liver contained the highest viral RNA levels. Moreover, serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were increased in the infected rabbits. In conclusion, our findings will help to understand the evolutionary trends and pathogenic characteristics of GI.2 strains in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Chen
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyu Fan
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanhua Song
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Houjun Wei
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Rulong Qiu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Weifeng Zhu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Weizhong Xu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-products, Nanjing, China.
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25
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Mahar JE, Jenckel M, Huang N, Smertina E, Holmes EC, Strive T, Hall RN. Frequent intergenotypic recombination between the non-structural and structural genes is a major driver of epidemiological fitness in caliciviruses. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab080. [PMID: 34754513 PMCID: PMC8570162 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of lagoviruses (Caliciviridae) in Australia has increased considerably in recent years. By the end of 2017, five variants from three viral genotypes were present in populations of Australian rabbits, while prior to 2014 only two variants were known. To understand the evolutionary interactions among these lagovirus variants, we monitored their geographical distribution and relative incidence over time in a continental-scale competition study. Within 3 years of the incursion of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2, denoted genotype GI.1bP-GI.2 [polymerase genotype]P-[capsid genotype]) into Australia, two novel recombinant lagovirus variants emerged: RHDV2-4e (genotype GI.4eP-GI.2) in New South Wales and RHDV2-4c (genotype GI.4cP-GI.2) in Victoria. Although both novel recombinants contain non-structural genes related to those from benign, rabbit-specific, enterotropic viruses, these variants were recovered from the livers of both rabbits and hares that had died acutely. This suggests that the determinants of host and tissue tropism for lagoviruses are associated with the structural genes, and that tropism is intricately connected with pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the RHDV2-4c recombinant emerged independently on multiple occasions, with five distinct lineages observed. Both the new RHDV2-4e and -4c recombinant variants replaced the previous dominant parental RHDV2 (genotype GI.1bP-GI.2) in their respective geographical areas, despite sharing an identical or near-identical (i.e. single amino acid change) VP60 major capsid protein with the parental virus. This suggests that the observed replacement by these recombinants was not driven by antigenic variation in VP60, implicating the non-structural genes as key drivers of epidemiological fitness. Molecular clock estimates place the RHDV2-4e recombination event in early to mid-2015, while the five RHDV2-4c recombination events occurred from late 2015 through to early 2017. The emergence of at least six viable recombinant variants within a 2-year period highlights the high frequency of these events, detectable only through intensive surveillance, and demonstrates the importance of recombination in lagovirus evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie E Mahar
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Maria Jenckel
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Nina Huang
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Elena Smertina
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Robyn N Hall
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
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Mohamed F, Gidlewski T, Berninger ML, Petrowski HM, Bracht AJ, de Rueda CB, Barrette RW, Grady M, O'Hearn ES, Lewis CE, Moran KE, Sturgill TL, Capucci L, Root JJ. Comparative susceptibility of eastern cottontails and New Zealand white rabbits to classical rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and RHDV2. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e968-e978. [PMID: 34738741 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In 2010, a genetically distinct RHDV named RHDV2 emerged in Europe and spread to many other regions, including North America in 2016. Prior to this study it was unknown if eastern cottontails (ECT(s); Sylvilagus floridanus), one of the most common wild lagomorphs in the United States, were susceptible to RHDV2. In this study, 10 wild-caught ECTs and 10 New Zealand white rabbits (NZWR(s); O. cuniculus) were each inoculated orally with either RHDV (RHDVa/GI.1a; n = 5 per species) or RHDV2 (a recombinant GI.1bP-GI.2; n = 5 per species) and monitored for the development of disease. Three of the five ECTs that were infected with RHDV2 developed disease consistent with RHD and died at 4 and 6 days post-inoculation (DPI). The RHDV major capsid protein/antigen (VP60) was detected in the livers of three ECTs infected with RHDV2, but none was detected in the ECTs infected with RHDV. Additionally, RHD viral RNA was detected in the liver, spleen, intestine and blood of ECTs infected with RHDV2, but not in the ECTs infected with RHDV. RHD viral RNA was detected in urine, oral swabs and rectal swabs in at least two of five ECTs infected with RHDV2. One ECT inoculated with RHDV2 seroconverted and developed a high antibody titre by the end of the experimental period (21 DPI). ECTs inoculated with the classic RHDV did not seroconvert. In comparison, NZWRs inoculated with RHDV2 exhibited high mortality (five of five) at 2 DPI and four of five NZWRs inoculated with RHDV either died or were euthanized at 2 DPI indicating both of these viruses were highly pathogenic to this species. This experiment indicates that ECTs are susceptible to RHDV2 and can shed viral RNA, thereby suggesting this species could be involved in the epidemiology of this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawzi Mohamed
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Thomas Gidlewski
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Mary L Berninger
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Heather M Petrowski
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Alexa J Bracht
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Carla Bravo de Rueda
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Roger W Barrette
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Meredith Grady
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Emily S O'Hearn
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Charles E Lewis
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Karen E Moran
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York, USA
| | - Tracy L Sturgill
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Regionalization Evaluation Services, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lorenzo Capucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimenatale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - J Jeffrey Root
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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27
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Aguayo-Adán JA, Rouco C, Delibes-Mateos M, Santoro S. Lack of evidence for differences in the spread of classic (Lagovirus europaeus/GI.1) and novel (Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2) rabbit haemorrhagic disease viruses in Europe and North Africa. Vet Rec 2021; 190:e1067. [PMID: 34713453 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.1067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fast-spreading diseases affecting wildlife populations threaten biodiversity. Two caliciviruses, Lagovirus europaeus/GI.1 and Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2, caused rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in wild rabbits. Despite having different characteristics, these variants spread quickly, posing a threat to wild rabbit populations. METHODS In this study, we conducted a thorough review of the scientific literature and reports of international organisations of first detections of both variants of RHDV in the Euro-Mediterranean region. We concentrated on this area to avoid bias due to intentional human introductions. RESULTS The estimated mean spread rate of GI.2 was higher than that of GI.1 (GI.2: 479 km/year, range: 47-7346; GI.1: 330 km/year, 37-6248). These differences were not statistically significant. This lack of difference may be due to the interactions between each variant's virulence characteristics. Humans may have a dominant effect on their spread. Potential limitations associated with the observational process could have hindered our ability to identify statistical differences. CONCLUSIONS The lack of difference in the spread patterns of the two variants could be due to a biological cause, human facilitation or a lack of statistical power. Adapting protocols to detect diseases in wildlife using homogeneous criteria will be indispensable in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Antonio Aguayo-Adán
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Área de Ecología, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carlos Rouco
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Área de Ecología, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Sociedad, Ecología y Gestión del Medio Ambiente, UCO-IESA, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Miguel Delibes-Mateos
- Sociedad, Ecología y Gestión del Medio Ambiente, UCO-IESA, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,IESA-CSIC, Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Simone Santoro
- Departamento de Ciencias Integradas, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
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Hall RN, King T, O’Connor TW, Read AJ, Vrankovic S, Piper M, Strive T. Passive Immunisation against RHDV2 Induces Protection against Disease but Not Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101197. [PMID: 34696305 PMCID: PMC8537872 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a lagovirus in the family Caliciviridae. The closely related Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV, termed RHDV1 throughout this manuscript for clarity) has been used extensively as a biocontrol agent in Australia since the mid-1990s to manage wild rabbit populations, a major economic and environmental pest species. Releasing RHDV1 into populations with a high proportion of rabbits less than 8–10 weeks of age leads to non-lethal infection in many of these young animals, with subsequent seroconversion and long-term immunity against reinfection. In contrast, RHDV2 causes lethal disease even in young rabbits, potentially offering substantial benefits for rabbit management programs over RHDV1. However, it is not clear how acquired resistance from maternal antibodies may influence immunity after RHDV2 infection. In this study, we assessed serological responses after RHDV2 challenge in young rabbits of three different ages (5-, 7-, or 9-weeks-old) that were passively immunised with either high- (titre of 2560 by RHDV IgG ELISA; 2.41 mg/mL total protein) or low- (titre of 160–640 by RHDV IgG ELISA; 1.41 mg/mL total protein) dose RHDV2 IgG to simulate maternal antibodies. All rabbits treated with a high dose and 75% of those treated with a low dose of RHDV2 IgG survived virus challenge. Surviving animals developed robust lagovirus-specific IgA, IgM, and IgG responses within 10 days post infection. These findings demonstrate that the protection against RHDV2 conferred by passive immunisation is not sterilising. Correspondingly, this suggests that the presence of maternal antibodies in wild rabbit populations may impede the effectiveness of RHDV2 as a biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn N. Hall
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (T.K.); (T.S.)
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-6246-4245
| | - Tegan King
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (T.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Tiffany W. O’Connor
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia (A.J.R.); (S.V.)
| | - Andrew J. Read
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia (A.J.R.); (S.V.)
| | - Sylvia Vrankovic
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia (A.J.R.); (S.V.)
| | - Melissa Piper
- Agriculture & Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia;
| | - Tanja Strive
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (T.K.); (T.S.)
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
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Phylogenetic Analysis of European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus Strains from Poland (1992-2004). Viruses 2021; 13:v13101999. [PMID: 34696431 PMCID: PMC8539919 DOI: 10.3390/v13101999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is lethal to several species of free-living hares worldwide. The genetic characterization of its virus (EBHSV) strains in European circulation and epidemiological knowledge of EBHSV infections is not yet complete. The study determined the nucleotide sequences of the genomes of EBHSV strains from Poland and analyzed their genetic and phylogenetic relationships to a group of hare lagoviruses. The genome of five virus strains detected in Poland between 1992 and 2004 was obtained by RT-PCR and sequencing of the obtained amplicons. The genetic relationships of the EBHSV strains were analyzed using the full genome and VP60 gene sequences. Additionally, the amino acid sequence of the VP60 gene was analyzed to identify mutations specific to recognized EBHSV subgroups. Partial amplification of the virus open reading frame (ORF)1 and ORF2 regions obtained nearly complete nucleotide genome sequences of the EBHSV strains. Phylogenetic analysis placed them in a GII.1 cluster with other European strains related to nonpathogenic hare caliciviruses. VP60 gene analysis allocated these EBHSV strains to the G1.2, G2.2–2.3 or G3 virus genetic groups. The amino acid sequence differences in the entire genome ranged from 1.1 to 2.6%. Compared to a reference French EBHSV-GD strain, 22 variable amino acid sites were identified in the VP60 region of the Polish strains, but only six were in VP10. Single amino acid changes appeared in different sequence positions among Polish and other European virus strains from different genetic groups, as well as in VP10 sequences of nonpathogenic hare caliciviruses. The results of the study showed a high genetic homogeneity of EBHSV strains from Poland despite their different location occurrence and initial detection times. These strains are also phylogenetically closely related to other EBHSV strains circulating in Europe, likely confirming the slow evolutionary dynamics of this lagovirus species.
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30
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O'Toole AD, Zhang J, Williams LBA, Brown CC. Detection of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues via in situ hybridization. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 34:141-145. [PMID: 34554024 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211047561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that succumbed to rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2; Lagovirus GI.2) during the 2019 outbreak in Washington, USA, were utilized for in situ hybridization via RNAscope (ACDBio). This detection method was both sensitive and specific, with no staining in tissues from RHDV- (Lagovirus GI.1) and RHDV2-negative rabbits, and only slight background staining of RHDV-positive rabbits; RHDV2-positive tissues had bright-red cytoplasmic staining. Although much of the viral mRNA detection was consistent with previously described antigen detection via immunohistochemistry of the liver, lungs, and spleen, there was also significant glomerular staining in the kidneys, and endothelial staining within blood vessels of almost all organs. We validated the RNAscope technique for detection of RHDV2 mRNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, with increased sensitivity from previous techniques, and identified additional affected cell types that may contribute to the understanding of pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D O'Toole
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Laura B A Williams
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Corrie C Brown
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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31
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Kennedy A, Britton L, Byrne AW, Byrne C, Casey M, Flynn O, Lozano JM, Marnell F, McElroy M, Reid N, Wilson M, FitzGerald W. First detected case of rabbit Haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus). Ir Vet J 2021; 74:25. [PMID: 34537065 PMCID: PMC8449885 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-021-00205-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a Lagovirus, a subgroup of the family Caliciviridae. RHDV2 is a variant first described in France in 2010, and has since spread globally. It has been reported in several Lagomorph species (rabbits, hares, and their relatives) as well as other mammals including voles and shrews. The disease has raised international concerns for its potential impact on population abundance trajectories, particularly as 25% of Lagomorphs are currently Red-Listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies of the mountain hare, L. timidus, and is endemic to Ireland, making it an Evolutionarily Significant Unit of intrinsic value. CASE PRESENTATION The first case of RHDV2 was detected in a wild Irish hare in July 2019. The individual exhibited atypical neurological behaviour (running in circles) prior to death. On necropsy, pink tinged foam was seen in the trachea and congestion was noted in the lungs, but there was no evidence of haemorrhages in any other organ. Both the liver and spleen were tested by reverse transcription real time qPCR confirming high levels of RHDV2 RNA. Histopathology confirmed multifocal necrotising hepatitis. CONCLUSION The Irish hare is susceptible to RHDV2 infection. Further investigation is warranted to explore the clinical, epidemiological, and population biology implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aideen Kennedy
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Louise Britton
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andrew W Byrne
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Christina Byrne
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mícheál Casey
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Flynn
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jose Maria Lozano
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ferdia Marnell
- National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, 90 King Street North, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maire McElroy
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Neil Reid
- Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast (QUB), Belfast, UK
| | - Margaret Wilson
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland
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32
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Asin J, Rejmanek D, Clifford DL, Mikolon AB, Henderson EE, Nyaoke AC, Macías-Rioseco M, Streitenberger N, Beingesser J, Woods LW, Lavazza A, Capucci L, Crossley B, Uzal FA. Early circulation of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2 in domestic and wild lagomorphs in southern California, USA (2020-2021). Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e394-e405. [PMID: 34487612 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) causes a severe systemic disease with hepatic necrosis. Differently from classic RHDV, which affects only European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), RHDV2 can affect many leporid species, including hares (Lepus spp.) and cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.). RHDV2 emerged in Europe in 2010 and spread worldwide. During the last 5 years, there have been multiple outbreaks in North America since the first known event in 2016 in Quebec, Canada, including several detections in British Columbia, Canada, between 2018 and 2019, Washington State and Ohio, USA, in 2018 and 2019, and New York, USA, in 2020. However, the most widespread outbreak commenced in March 2020 in the southwestern USA and Mexico. In California, RHDV2 spread widely across several southern counties between 2020 and 2021, and the aim of this study was to report and characterize these early events of viral incursion and circulation within the state. Domestic and wild lagomorphs (n = 81) collected between August 2020 and February 2021 in California with a suspicion of RHDV2 infection were tested by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR on the liver, and histology and immunohistochemistry for pan-lagovirus were performed on liver sections. In addition, whole genome sequencing from 12 cases was performed. During this period, 33/81 lagomorphs including 24/59 domestic rabbits (O. cuniculus), 3/16 desert cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus audubonii), and 6/6 black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) tested positive. All RHDV2-positive animals had hepatic necrosis typical of pathogenic lagovirus infection, and the antigen was detected in sections from individuals of the three species. The 12 California sequences were closely related (98.9%-99.95%) to each other, and also very similar (99.0%-99.4%) to sequences obtained in other southwestern states during the 2020-2021 outbreak; however, they were less similar to strains obtained in New York in 2020 (96.7%-96.9%) and Quebec in 2016 (92.4%-92.6%), suggesting that those events could be related to different viral incursions. The California sequences were more similar (98.6%-98.7%) to a strain collected in British Columbia in 2018, which suggests that that event could have been related to the 2020 outbreak in the southwestern USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Asin
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino branch, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Daniel Rejmanek
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Davis branch, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Deana L Clifford
- Wildlife Health Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, USA
| | - Andrea B Mikolon
- California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Eileen E Henderson
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino branch, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Akinyi C Nyaoke
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino branch, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Melissa Macías-Rioseco
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Tulare branch, University of California-Davis, Tulare, California, USA
| | - Nicolas Streitenberger
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino branch, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Juliann Beingesser
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino branch, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Leslie W Woods
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Davis branch, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Capucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Beate Crossley
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Davis branch, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino branch, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, California, USA
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33
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Velarde R, Abrantes J, Lopes AM, Estruch J, Côrte-Real JV, Esteves PJ, García-Bocanegra I, Ruiz-Olmo J, Rouco C. Spillover event of recombinant Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2 into the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:3187-3193. [PMID: 34324796 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Viruses that affect lagomorphs have decades of reported history of spillover events. One of these viruses is the causative agent of the so-called rabbit or 'lagomorph' haemorrhagic disease (e.g. Lagovirus europaeus/GI.1 and L. europaeus/GI.2). In particular, L. europaeus/GI.2 has shown a great capacity to recombine with existing lagoviruses. In fact, it has replaced the former GI.1 genotype in the wild, and recently, an increase on spillover events has been detected among several lagomorph species including European and North American species of hares. In this study, we report for the first time the infection of a wild Iberian hare with GI.2 (RHDV2/b), potential shedding and associated histopathological alterations. We identify the recombinant GI.4P-GI.2 as causative of the infection and discuss plausible causes regarding the origin of the spillover event and its potential consequences for the Iberian hare wild populations, which is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula as well as an important game and prey species for many predators, including endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Velarde
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WEH) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Joana Abrantes
- Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO), Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (InBIO), University of Porto, Vairao, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana M Lopes
- Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO), Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (InBIO), University of Porto, Vairao, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS)/Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica (UMIB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Josep Estruch
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WEH) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - João V Côrte-Real
- Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO), Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (InBIO), University of Porto, Vairao, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro J Esteves
- Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO), Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (InBIO), University of Porto, Vairao, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Jordi Ruiz-Olmo
- Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca i Alimentació de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Rouco
- Departmento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universdad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.,Sociedad, Ecología y Gestión del Medio Ambiente, UCO-IESA, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Córdoba, Spain
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34
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Hall RN, King T, O’Connor T, Read AJ, Arrow J, Trought K, Duckworth J, Piper M, Strive T. Age and Infectious Dose Significantly Affect Disease Progression after RHDV2 Infection in Naïve Domestic Rabbits. Viruses 2021; 13:1184. [PMID: 34205750 PMCID: PMC8234499 DOI: 10.3390/v13061184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2 or GI.2, referring to any virus with lagovirus GI.2 structural genes) is a recently emerged calicivirus that causes generalised hepatic necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to death in susceptible lagomorphs (rabbits and hares). Previous studies investigating the virulence of RHDV2 have reported conflicting results, with case fatality rates ranging from 0% to 100% even within a single study. Lagoviruses are of particular importance in Australia and New Zealand where they are used as biocontrol agents to manage wild rabbit populations, which threaten over 300 native species and result in economic impacts in excess of $200 million AUD annually to Australian agricultural industries. It is critically important that any pest control method is both highly effective (i.e., virulent, in the context of viral biocontrols) and has minimal animal welfare impacts. To determine whether RHDV2 might be a suitable candidate biocontrol agent, we investigated the virulence and disease progression of a naturally occurring Australian recombinant RHDV2 in both 5-week-old and 11-week-old New Zealand White laboratory rabbits after either high or low dose oral infection. Objective measures of disease progression were recorded through continuous body temperature monitoring collars, continuous activity monitors, and twice daily observations. We observed a 100% case fatality rate in both infected kittens and adult rabbits after either high dose or low dose infection. Clinical signs of disease, such as pyrexia, weight loss, and reduced activity, were evident in the late stages of infection. Clinical disease, i.e., welfare impacts, were limited to the period after the onset of pyrexia, lasting on average 12 h and increasing in severity as disease progressed. These findings confirm the high virulence of this RHDV2 variant in naïve rabbits. While age and infectious dose significantly affected disease progression, the case fatality rate was consistently 100% under all conditions tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn N. Hall
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (T.K.); (T.S.)
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Tegan King
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (T.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Tiffany O’Connor
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia; tiffany.o' (T.O.); (A.J.R.)
| | - Andrew J. Read
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia; tiffany.o' (T.O.); (A.J.R.)
| | - Jane Arrow
- Wildlife Ecology and Management, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand; (J.A.); (K.T.); (J.D.)
| | - Katherine Trought
- Wildlife Ecology and Management, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand; (J.A.); (K.T.); (J.D.)
| | - Janine Duckworth
- Wildlife Ecology and Management, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand; (J.A.); (K.T.); (J.D.)
| | - Melissa Piper
- Agriculture & Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia;
| | - Tanja Strive
- Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (T.K.); (T.S.)
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
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35
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Williams LBA, Edmonds SE, Kerr SR, Broughton-Neiswanger LE, Snekvik KR. Clinical and pathologic findings in an outbreak in rabbits of natural infection by rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 in the northwestern United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:732-735. [PMID: 34092143 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211022466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) causes an often-fatal disease of rabbits that has resulted in outbreaks in rabbitries in Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. RHD has historically been characterized as a foreign animal disease in the United States. In July 2019, RHDV2 was detected in rabbits on Orcas Island along the northwestern coast of Washington (WA) State following reports of deaths in multiple feral and domestic rabbits. We document and highlight here the unique clinical presentation and gross and histologic lesions observed in this recent WA outbreak. Affected rabbits died without premonitory signs or displayed hyporexia and/or lethargy for ≤1 d prior to death. The most consistent pathologic finding was random, multifocal hepatocellular necrosis, often with concurrent multifocal-to-diffuse splenic necrosis. The lack of significant clinical signs in conjunction with the random distribution of hepatic necrosis in the WA outbreak contrasts with previous reports of RHDV2 disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B A Williams
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.,Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Steven E Edmonds
- Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Susan R Kerr
- Washington State Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Program Education and Outreach, Olympia, WA, USA
| | | | - Kevin R Snekvik
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.,Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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36
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Abrantes J, Lopes AM. A Review on the Methods Used for the Detection and Diagnosis of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV). Microorganisms 2021; 9:972. [PMID: 33946292 PMCID: PMC8146303 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the early 1980s, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been threatened by the rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). The disease is caused by a lagovirus of the family Caliciviridae, the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). The need for detection, identification and further characterization of RHDV led to the development of several diagnostic tests. Owing to the lack of an appropriate cell culture system for in vitro propagation of the virus, much of the methods involved in these tests contributed to our current knowledge on RHD and RHDV and to the development of vaccines to contain the disease. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the RHDV diagnostic tests used since the first RHD outbreak and that include molecular, histological and serological techniques, ranging from simpler tests initially used, such as the hemagglutination test, to the more recent and sophisticated high-throughput sequencing, along with an overview of their potential and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Abrantes
- CIBIO/InBio-UP, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana M. Lopes
- CIBIO/InBio-UP, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS)/Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica (UMIB), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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37
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Taggart PL, Hall RN, Cox TE, Kovaliski J, McLeod SR, Strive T. Changes in virus transmission dynamics following the emergence of RHDV2 shed light on its competitive advantage over previously circulating variants. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1118-1130. [PMID: 33724677 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is highly pathogenic to European rabbits. Until recently, only one serotype of RHDV was known, GI.1/RHDV. RHDV2/GI.2 is a novel virus that has rapidly spread and become the dominant pathogenic calicivirus in wild rabbits worldwide. It is speculated that RHDV2 has three competitive advantages over RHDV: (a) the ability to partially overcome immunity to other variants; (b) the ability to clinically infect young rabbits; and (c) a wider host range. These differences would be expected to influence virus transmission dynamics. We used markers of recent infection (IgM/IgA antibodies) to investigate virus transmission dynamics pre and post the arrival of RHDV2. Our data set contained over 3,900 rabbits sampled across a 7-year period at 12 Australian sites. Following the arrival of RHDV2, seasonal peaks in IgM and IgA seropositivity shifted forward one season, from winter to autumn and spring to winter, respectively. Contrary to predictions, we found only weak effects of rabbit age, seropositivity to non-pathogenic calicivirus RCV-A1 and population abundance on IgM/IgA seropositivity. Our results demonstrate that RHDV2 enters rabbit populations shortly after the commencement of annual breeding cycles. Upon entering, the population RHDV2 undergoes extensive replication in young rabbits, causing clinical disease, high virus shedding, mortality and the creation of virus-laden carcasses. This results in high virus contamination in the environment, furthering the transmission of RHDV2 and initiating outbreaks, whilst simultaneously removing the susceptible cohort required for the effective transmission of RHDV. Although RHDV may enter the population at the same time point, it is sub-clinical in young rabbits, causing minimal virus shedding and low environmental contamination. Our results demonstrate a major shift in epidemiological patterns in virus transmission, providing the first evidence that RHDV2's ability to clinically infect young rabbits is a key competitive advantage in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L Taggart
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries NSW, Orange, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT, Australia.,School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Robyn N Hall
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT, Australia.,CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Tarnya E Cox
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries NSW, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - John Kovaliski
- Biosecurity SA, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
| | - Steven R McLeod
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries NSW, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Tanja Strive
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Bruce, ACT, Australia.,CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Acton, ACT, Australia
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38
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Müller C, Hrynkiewicz R, Bębnowska D, Maldonado J, Baratelli M, Köllner B, Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej P. Immunity against Lagovirus europaeus and the Impact of the Immunological Studies on Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030255. [PMID: 33805607 PMCID: PMC8002203 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the early 1980s, a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) emerged, causing a very high rate of mortality in these animals. Since the initial occurrence of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), several hundred million rabbits have died after infection. The emergence of genetically-different virus variants (RHDV GI.1 and GI.2) indicated the very high variability of RHDV. Moreover, with these variants, the host range broadened to hare species (Lepus). The circulation of RHDV genotypes displays different virulences and a limited induction of cross-protective immunity. Interestingly, juvenile rabbits (<9 weeks of age) with an immature immune system display a general resistance to RHDV GI.1, and a limited resistance to RHDV GI.2 strains, whereas less than 3% of adult rabbits survive an infection by either RHDV GI.1. or GI.2. Several not-yet fully understood phenomena characterize the RHD. A very low infection dose followed by an extremely rapid viral replication could be simplified to the induction of a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), a severe loss of lymphocytes—especially T-cells—and death within 36 to 72 h post infection. On the other hand, in animals surviving the infection or after vaccination, very high titers of RHDV-neutralizing antibodies were induced. Several studies have been conducted in order to deepen the knowledge about the virus’ genetics, epidemiology, RHDV-induced pathology, and the anti-RHDV immune responses of rabbits in order to understand the phenomenon of the juvenile resistance to this virus. Moreover, several approaches have been used to produce efficient vaccines in order to prevent an infection with RHDV. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about anti-RHDV resistance and immunity, RHDV vaccination, and the further need to establish rationally-based RHDV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Müller
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Rafał Hrynkiewicz
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; (R.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Dominika Bębnowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; (R.H.); (D.B.)
| | | | | | - Bernd Köllner
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.K.); (P.N.-R.)
| | - Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; (R.H.); (D.B.)
- Correspondence: (B.K.); (P.N.-R.)
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Abade Dos Santos FA, Pinto A, Burgoyne T, Dalton KP, Carvalho CL, Ramilo DW, Carneiro C, Carvalho T, Peleteiro MC, Parra F, Duarte MD. Spillover events of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (recombinant GI.4P-GI.2) from Lagomorpha to Eurasian badger. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1030-1045. [PMID: 33683820 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a major threat to domestic and wild European rabbits. Presently, in Europe, the disease is caused mainly by Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2/b or Lagovirus europaeus GI.2), the origin of which is still unclear, as no RHDV2 reservoir hosts were identified. After the RHDV2 emergence in 2010, viral RNA was detected in a few rodent species. Furthermore, RHDV2 was found to cause disease in some hare species resembling the disease in rabbits, evidencing the ability of the virus to cross the species barrier. In this study, through molecular, histopathologic, antigenic and morphological evidences, we demonstrate the presence and replication of RHDV2 in Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) found dead in the district of Santarém, Portugal, between March 2017 and January 2020. In these animals, we further classify the RHDV2 as a Lagovirus europaeus recombinant GI.4P-GI.2. Our results indicate that Meles meles is susceptible to RHDV2, developing systemic infection, and excreting the virus in the faeces. Given the high viral loads seen in several organs and matrices, we believe that transmission to the wild rabbit is likely. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy data show the presence of calicivirus compatible virions in the nucleus of hepatocytes, which constitutes a paradigm shift for caliciviruses' replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio A Abade Dos Santos
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of. Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, Portugal.,National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV, I.P.), Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias (IUBA), Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Andreia Pinto
- Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Centre, Harefield NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Thomas Burgoyne
- Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Centre, Harefield NHS Trust, London, UK.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kevin P Dalton
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias (IUBA), Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carina L Carvalho
- National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV, I.P.), Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - David W Ramilo
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of. Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Carneiro
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of. Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tânia Carvalho
- Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Conceição Peleteiro
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of. Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Francisco Parra
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias (IUBA), Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Margarida D Duarte
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of. Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, Portugal.,National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV, I.P.), Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras, Portugal
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Szillat KP, Höper D, Beer M, König P. Full-genome sequencing of German rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus uncovers recombination between RHDV (GI.2) and EBHSV (GII.1). Virus Evol 2020; 6:veaa080. [PMID: 33324492 PMCID: PMC7724246 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veaa080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV; genotypes GI.1 and GI.2) and European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV; genotype GII.1) are caliciviruses belonging to the genus Lagovirus. These viruses pose a serious threat to wild and domestic rabbit and hare populations around the world. In recent years, an expanding genetic diversity has been described within the genus, with recombination events occurring between the different genotypes. Here, we generated and analysed 56 full-genome sequences of RHDV and EBHSV from rabbit and hare livers, collected in Germany between the years 2013 and 2020. We could show that genotype Gl.2 (RHDV-2) almost entirely replaced Gl.1 (classical RHDV) in the German rabbit population. However, GI.1 is still present in Germany and has to be included into disease control and vaccination strategies. Three recombinant strains were identified from rabbit samples that contain the structural genes of genotype Gl.2 and the non-structural genes of genotype Gl.1b. Of special interest is the finding that sequences from two hare samples showed recombination events between structural genes of RHDV Gl.2 and non-structural genes of EBHSV GII.1, a recombination between different genogroups that has not been described before. These findings lead to the assumption that also a recombination of the non-structural genes of RHDV Gl.2 with the structural genes of EBHSV Gll.1 might be possible and therefore increase the potential genetic variability of lagoviruses immensely. Our findings underline the importance of whole genome analysis with next-generation sequencing technology as one of new tools now available for in-depth studies that allow in depth molecular epidemiology with continuous monitoring of the genetic variability of viruses that would otherwise likely stay undetected if only routine diagnostic assays are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Szillat
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Patricia König
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
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Recombination at the emergence of the pathogenic rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14502. [PMID: 32879332 PMCID: PMC7468141 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71303-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease is a viral disease that emerged in the 1980s and causes high mortality and morbidity in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In 2010, a new genotype of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus emerged and replaced the former circulating Lagovirus europaeus/GI.1 strains. Several recombination events have been reported for the new genotype Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2, with pathogenic (variants GI.1a and GI.1b) and benign (genotype GI.4) strains that served as donors for the non-structural part while GI.2 composed the structural part; another recombination event has also been described at the p16/p23 junction involving GI.4 strains. In this study, we analysed new complete coding sequences of four benign GI.3 strains and four GI.2 strains. Phylogenetic and recombination detection analyses revealed that the first GI.2 strains, considered as non-recombinant, resulted from a recombination event between GI.3 and GI.2, with GI.3 as the major donor for the non-structural part and GI.2 for the structural part. Our results indicate that recombination contributed to the emergence, persistence and dissemination of GI.2 as a pathogenic form and that all described GI.2 strains so far are the product of recombination. This highlights the need to study full-genomic sequences of lagoviruses to understand their emergence and evolution.
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Characterization of the Maternally Derived Antibody Immunity against Rhdv-2 after Administration in Breeding Does of an Inactivated Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030484. [PMID: 32872139 PMCID: PMC7564433 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Inactivated strain-specific vaccines have been successfully used to control rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) caused by RHDV-2 in the rabbit industry. It is unknown whether and how vaccination of breeding does contributed to protect the population of young susceptible rabbit kits. The present study investigates whether the immunity against RHDV-2 produced by vaccination of breeding does is transmitted to their progeny and its dynamic once inherited by kits. For this purpose, New Zealand female rabbits of 8–9 weeks of age were allocated into 2 groups of 40 subjects each and bred during 6 reproductive cycles. The first experimental group was vaccinated with a commercially available inactivated vaccine against RHDV-2 whereas the second group was inoculated with PBS. Moreover, the present study was also meant to identify the mechanisms of transmission of that maternal immunity. For this reason, rabbit kits of vaccinated and non-vaccinated breeding does were cross-fostered before milk uptake. The RHDV-2 antibody response was monitored in the blood serum of breeding does and of their kits by competition ELISA (cELISA) and solid-phase ELISA (spELISA). Since it has been clearly demonstrated that cELISA positive rabbits are protected from RHD, we avoided the resorting of the challenge of the kits with RHDV-2. Results showed that RHDV-2 antibodies were inherited by kits up to one year from vaccination of breeding does. Once inherited, the maternally derived antibody response against RHDV-2 lasted at least until 28 days of life. Finally, the study also elucidated that the major contribution to the maternal derived immunity against RHDV-2 in kits was provided during gestation and probably transmitted through transplacental mechanisms although lactation provided a little contribution to it. The present study contributed to elucidate the characteristics of the maternal antibody immunity produced by vaccination and its mechanisms of transmission.
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Hu B, Wei H, Fan Z, Song Y, Chen M, Qiu R, Zhu W, Xu W, Xue J, Wang F. Emergence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 in China in 2020. Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:236-239. [PMID: 32743985 PMCID: PMC7840210 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is an acute fatal disease caused by the Lagovirus rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), which was first reported in 1984 in China. Strains of two different genotypes (GI.1a and GI.1c) have been detected in China to date. In 2010, a new RHDV variant with a unique genetic and antigenic profile was identified in France, designated RHDV2, which rapidly spread throughout continental Europe and nearby islands. Here, we report the first outbreak of RHD induced by RHDV2 (GI.2) in rabbit farms in the Sichuan province of China. We conducted haemagglutination tests and phylogenetic analysis of the new RHDV isolate SC2020/04, which was identified as a non‐haemagglutinating strain belonging to the RHDV2 (GI.2) genogroup. Considering the serious risk of RHDV2 to the Chinese rabbit industry, the circulation of RHDV2 in the population should be carefully monitored in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hu
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Houjun Wei
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyu Fan
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanhua Song
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengmeng Chen
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Rulong Qiu
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Weifeng Zhu
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Weizhong Xu
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiabin Xue
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biologicals Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Engineering Research of Veterinary Bio-Products, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Cavadini P, Molinari S, Merzoni F, Vismarra A, Posautz A, Alzaga Gil V, Chiari M, Giannini F, Capucci L, Lavazza A. Widespread occurrence of the non-pathogenic hare calicivirus (HaCV Lagovirus GII.2) in captive-reared and free-living wild hares in Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:509-518. [PMID: 32603021 PMCID: PMC8247275 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The Lagovirus genus comprises both pathogenic viruses as European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV- GII.1) and rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses (RHDV-GI.1 and RHDV2-GI.2), that principally infect European brown hares (Lepus europeaus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), respectively, causing severe necrotic hepatitis, spleen enlargement and disseminated haemorrhage. This genus includes also non-pathogenic agents, such as rabbit calicivirus (RCV-E1 - GI.3) and the non-pathogenic hare Lagovirus, provisionally named hare calicivirus (HaCV - GII.2). The latter had been identified for the first time in 2012 in the gut contents and faeces of healthy young hares raised in a breeding farm. In this study, we further investigated the presence of HaCV by testing the intestinal tract of 621 wild hares collected between 2010 and 2018 in Northern and Central Italy, and in 2011 in Austria, Germany and Spain. These wild hares were found dead for causes other than EBHS or were healthy hares shot during the hunting season. Forty-three out of 322 hare samples from Italy and 14 out of 299 samples from Austria and Germany were positive for HaCV-GII.2 by RT-PCR using universal primers for lagoviruses and primers specific for HaCV. Sequence analysis of the full capsid protein gene conducted on 12 strains representative of different years and locations indicated that these viruses belong to the same, single cluster as the prototype strain initially identified at the hares' farm (HaCV_Bs12_1). The relatively high level of genetic variation (88% nt identity) within this cluster suggests HaCVs may have been circulating widely in Europe for some time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cavadini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Molinari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Merzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annika Posautz
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Mario Chiari
- D.G. Welfare, Regional Health Authority of Lombardy, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Giannini
- Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano, Portoferraio, Località-Enfola, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Capucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
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Buehler M, Jesse ST, Kueck H, Lange B, Koenig P, Jo WK, Osterhaus A, Beineke A. Lagovirus europeus GI.2 (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2) infection in captive mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in Germany. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:166. [PMID: 32460756 PMCID: PMC7254734 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV, Lagovirus europeus GI.1) induces a contagious and highly lethal hemorrhagic disease in rabbits. In 2010 a new genotype of lagovirus (GI.2), emerged in Europe, infecting wild and domestic population of rabbits and hares. CASE PRESENTATION We describe the infection with a GI.2 strain, "Bremerhaven-17", in captive mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in a zoo facility in Germany. Postmortem examination revealed RHD-like lesions including necrotizing hepatitis. RT-qPCR and AG-ELISA confirmed presence of GI.2. Recombination and phylogenetic analysis grouped the identified strain with other GI.2 strains, sharing nucleotide identity of 91-99%. CONCLUSION Our findings confirm that mountain hares are susceptible to GI.2 infection, due to a past recombination event facilitating virus spillover from sympatric rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Buehler
- Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Buenteweg, 17 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sonja T Jesse
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Buenteweg, 17 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heike Kueck
- Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven, H.-H.-Meier-Straße 7, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Bastian Lange
- Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven, H.-H.-Meier-Straße 7, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Patricia Koenig
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Wendy K Jo
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Buenteweg, 17 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Albert Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Buenteweg, 17 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Beineke
- Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Buenteweg, 17 30559, Hannover, Germany.
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Abstract
Recently, multiple infectious organisms have been identified as the cause of emerging diseases in lagomorphs. The most important of these emerging diseases is rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) type 2, a new variant with differences in pathogenicity to classical RHDV. Hepatitis E is considered an emerging zoonotic infectious disease, with widespread prevalence in many different rabbit populations. Mycobacteriosis has been recently reported in other captive domestic rabbit populations. This article provides a recent review of the published literature on emerging infectious diseases in rabbits, including farmed, laboratory, and pet rabbits, some of which have zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Gleeson
- Department of Avian and Exotic Pets, ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital, 9599 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232, USA
| | - Olivia A Petritz
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
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Qi R, Miao Q, Zhu J, Tang J, Tang A, Wang X, Dong D, Guo H, Liu G. Construction and immunogenicity of novel bivalent virus-like particles bearing VP60 genes of classic RHDV(GI.1) and RHDV2(GI.2). Vet Microbiol 2019; 240:108529. [PMID: 31902498 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.108529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is an acute, inflammatory, septic, and devastating infectious disease caused by Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), which poses a serious threat to the rabbit industry. RHDV2 (GI.2/RHDVb), a recently reported new variant could cause RHD in wild populations, but also RHDV-vaccinated rabbits. For now, both RHDV and RHDV2 are the main causes of RHD. To develop a new subunit vaccine that could protect rabbits against both classic RHDV and RHDV2 infections, we constructed a recombinant baculovirus (Bac-classic RHDV VP60-RHDV2 VP60) containing the VP60 genes of classic RHDV and RHDV2. Both VP60 genes were well expressed simultaneously in Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) after infection with the recombinant baculovirus. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the recombinant VP60 self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigenicity and immunogenicity of the bivalent VLPs vaccine were examined with animal experiments. Our results demonstrated that both the humoral and cellular immune responses were efficiently induced in rabbits by a subunit vaccine based on the recombinant baculovirus. In addition, all rabbits immunized with the bivalent VLPs vaccine survived after challenged with classic RHDV, and showed no clinical signs of RHD, whereas all the rabbits in the negative control group died from classic RHDV infection and showed typical clinical signs of RHD. In summary, our results indicated that the recombinant baculovirus carrying two VP60 genes is a candidate construct from which to develop a bivalent VLPs vaccine against both classic RHDV and RHDV2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibin Qi
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Qiuhong Miao
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China; Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Jie Zhu
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Jingyu Tang
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Aoxing Tang
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Dandan Dong
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Hongyuan Guo
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Guangqing Liu
- Innovation Team of Small Animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China.
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Qi R, Zhu J, Miao Q, Tang A, Dong D, Wang X, Liu G. Bioinformatics analysis of capsid protein of different subtypes rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:423. [PMID: 31775738 PMCID: PMC6882040 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2161-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) belongs to the Caliciviridae family, is a highly lethal pathogen to rabbits. Increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated the existence of antigenic variation in RHDV, leading to the emergence of a new RHDV isolate (RHDVb). However, the underlying factors determining the emergence of the new RHDV and its unpredictable epidemiology remain unclear. To investigate these issues, we selected more than 184 partial and/or complete genome sequences of RHDV from GenBank and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, divergence, and predicted protein modification sites. Results Phylogenetic analysis showed that classic RHDV isolates, RHDVa, and RHDVb formed different clades. It’s interesting to note that RHDVa being more closely related to classic RHDV than RHDVb, while RHDVb had a closer genetic relationship to Rabbit Calicivirus (RCV) than to classic RHDV isolates. Moreover, divergence analysis suggested that the accumulation of amino acid (aa) changes might be a consequence of adaptive diversification of capsid protein (VP60) during the division between classical RHDV, RHDVa, RHDVb, and RCV. Notably, the prediction of N-glycosylation sites suggested that RHDVb subtypes had two unique N-glycosylation sites (aa 301, 362) but lacked three other N-glycosylation sites (aa 45, 308, 474) displayed in classic RHDV and RHDVa VP60 implying this divergence of N-glycosylation sites in RHDV might affect viral virulence. Analysis of phosphorylation sites also indicated that some phosphorylation sites in RHDVa and RHDVb differed from those in classic RHDV, potentially related to antigenic variation in RHDV. Conclusion The genetic relationship between RHDVb and RCV was closer than classic RHDV isolates. Moreover, compared to RHDV and RHDVa, RHDVb had two unique N-glycosylation sites but lacked three sites, which might affect the virulence of RHDV. These results may provide new clues for further investigations of the origin of new types of RHDV and the mechanisms of genetic variation in RHDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibin Qi
- Innovation Team of Small animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Innovation Team of Small animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuhong Miao
- Innovation Team of Small animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Aoxing Tang
- Innovation Team of Small animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Dong
- Innovation Team of Small animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Innovation Team of Small animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangqing Liu
- Innovation Team of Small animal Infectious Disease, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China.
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Le Minor O, Boucher S, Joudou L, Mellet R, Sourice M, Le Moullec T, Nicolier A, Beilvert F, Sigognault-Flochlay A. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: experimental study of a recent highly pathogenic GI.2/RHDV2/b strain and evaluation of vaccine efficacy. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2019.11082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In 2010, a variant of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) belonging to a new GI.2 genotype was identified in France and rapidly spread worldwide. Due to antigenic difference, new vaccines including G1.2 strains have been developed to confer adequate protection. An increase in the pathogenicity of the circulating strains was recently reported. The objective of this experimental study was to characterise the infection with a highly pathogenic GI.2/RHDV2/b isolate (2017) and assess the efficacy of Filavac VHD K C+V vaccine (Filavie) against this strain. Four and 10-wk-old specific pathogen-free rabbits were inoculated with a recommended dose of vaccine. After 7 d, controls and vaccinated rabbits were challenged and clinically monitored for 14 d. All animals were necropsied and blood, organs and urine were sampled for quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. In adult groups, regular nasal and rectal swabbing were performed, and faeces were collected after death to monitor RNA shedding. In control groups, the challenge strain induced acute RHD between 31 and 72 h post-inoculation, with a mortality rate of 100% for kits and 89% for adult rabbits. Except for a shorter mean time to death in kits, similar clinical signs and lesions were observed between age groups. The vaccination significantly prevented all mortality, clinical signs, detection of viral RNA in serum and gross lesions in kits and adult rabbits. In adult groups, we also demonstrated that vaccine significantly protected from detectable RNA shedding via naso-conjunctival and rectal routes. Two weeks after challenge, RNA copies were not detected by PCR in the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, faeces and urine of vaccinated adult rabbits. The findings for kits were similar, except that very low levels of RNA were present in the liver and spleen of a few rabbits. These data show that immunisation prevented any significant viral multiplication and/or allowed a rapid clearance. We concluded that, despite the quick evolution of GI.2/RHDV2/b strains, the protection conferred by the vaccine remains adequate. In the context of coexistence of both GI.1 and GI.2 genotypes in some countries, with the circulation of multiples recombinant viruses, the vaccination should be based on the association of strains from both genotypes.
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Camacho-Sillero L, Caballero-Gómez J, Gómez-Guillamón F, Martínez-Padilla A, Agüero M, Miguel ES, Zorrilla I, Rayas E, Talavera V, García-Bocanegra I. Monitoring of the novel rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (GI.2) epidemic in European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in southern Spain, 2013-2017. Vet Microbiol 2019; 237:108361. [PMID: 31521392 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a highly infectious disease in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), caused by a virus belonging to the genus Lagovirus (RHDV; family Caliciviridae). In 2010, a new genotype of RHDV (RHDV2 or RHDVb, currently designated GI.2) emerged in France, affecting both domestic rabbits, even those vaccinated for the classical RHDV genotypes (currently designated GI.1) and wild rabbits. GI.2 was subsequently identified in other European countries. The aim of the present study was to monitor the GI.2 epidemic in wild rabbits in Andalusia (southern Spain) during the period 2013-2017. At the beginning of summer 2013, high mortalities were detected in wild rabbit populations in southern Spain. A total of 96 affected hunting or protected areas were surveyed. The first outbreak was observed on June 2013. The number of outbreaks sharply increased in 2013 and 2014, with a decreasing trend being observed during the following years. The spatial distribution of GI.2 was not homogeneous, since most of the detected outbreaks were concentrated in the western part of Andalusia. The outbreaks peaked in winter and spring and have been detected in the last five consecutive years, which suggests endemic circulation of GI.2 in wild rabbit populations in Spain. A total of 190 dead rabbits from 87 of the 96 areas surveyed were collected during the study period. Mortality affected rabbits of different age classes, including kittens. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of GI.2 RNA in the livers of 185 of the 190 (97.4%) rabbits. Phylogenetic analysis performed on eleven samples collected in different provinces of Andalusia between 2013 and 2017, showed high nucleotide identity with GI.2 strains Spain, France and Portugal. The results constitute an important step in understanding of the emergence and spread of GI.2 in this country and will provide valuable information for the development of surveillance programs in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Camacho-Sillero
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (AMAYA), Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - J Caballero-Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain; Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - F Gómez-Guillamón
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain; Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - A Martínez-Padilla
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - M Agüero
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - E San Miguel
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - I Zorrilla
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (AMAYA), Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - E Rayas
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (AMAYA), Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - V Talavera
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (AMAYA), Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - I García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.
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