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de Almeida Campos AC, Cicolo S, de Oliveira CM, Molina CV, Navas-Suárez PE, Poltronieri Dos Santos T, da Silveira VB, Barbosa CM, Baccarin RYA, Durigon EL, Góes LGB, Belli CB, Oliveira DBL. Potential outbreak by herpesvirus in equines: detection, clinical, and genetic analysis of equid gammaherpesvirus 2 (EHV-2). Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:1137-1143. [PMID: 36705807 PMCID: PMC10234995 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00890-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equid herpesvirus (EHV) commonly affects horses causing neurologic and respiratory symptoms beside spontaneous abortions, meaning huge economic losses for equine industry worldwide. In foals, the virus can facilitate secondary infections by Rhodococcus equi, important in morbidity and mortality in equines. A total of five genotypes of EHV were previously described in Brazil including EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-3, EHV-4, and EHV-5. EHV-2 genotype had only been previously described in Brazil in asymptomatic animals. We report the investigation of the dead of 11 foals in Middle-west region of Brazil showing respiratory and neurological symptoms, as well as several abortions in mares from the same farm. METHODS Clinical and laboratory exams were performed in this case study. Lung, whole blood, serum, and plasma samples were analyzed by necroscopic and histopathologic techniques followed by molecular assays (conventional and qPCR and Sanger sequencing). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Laboratory exams revealed neutrophilia leukocytosis. Necroscopic and histopathologic findings were suppurative bronchopneumonia and ulcerative enteritis. Molecular assays point to the absence of the bacteria Rhodococcus equi and other viruses (including other EHV). The presence of EHV-2 DNA was confirmed by sequencing in serum sample from one foal. This is the first confirmed outbreak of EHV-2 causing disease in Brazilian horses with confirmed presence of the virus, and which highlight the important role of EHV-2 in equine respiratory disease and spontaneous abortions in equid in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica Cristine de Almeida Campos
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Clinical and Molecular Virology Research Team, Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP (SPPU), SP, 05508-020, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Sofia Cicolo
- Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, SP, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cairo Monteiro de Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Vieira Molina
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
- Clinical and Molecular Virology Research Team, Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP (SPPU), SP, 05508-020, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Enrique Navas-Suárez
- Wildlife Comparative Pathology Laboratory-LAPCOM, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, SP, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
- Wildlife Disease Association-WDA, Associate member, 66044-7065, Lawrence-KS, United States
| | - Thais Poltronieri Dos Santos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, SP, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Barbosa da Silveira
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Meneguin Barbosa
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raquel Yvonne Arantes Baccarin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, SP, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edison Luiz Durigon
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Gustavo Bentim Góes
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
- Clinical and Molecular Virology Research Team, Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP (SPPU), SP, 05508-020, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Bargi Belli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, SP, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Danielle Bruna Leal Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II da Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-II/USP), SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, HIAE, 05652-900, São Paulo, Brazil
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Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. Kinetics of the Equid Herpesvirus 2 and 5 Infections among Mares and Foals from Three Polish National Studs. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040713. [PMID: 35458443 PMCID: PMC9031536 DOI: 10.3390/v14040713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5) are two γ-herpesviruses that are commonly detected from horses worldwide, based on several cross-sectional molecular surveys. Comparatively few studies examined the dynamics of γ-herpesvirus infection over time in a group of horses. The aim of the current study was to investigate the dynamics of EHV-2/5 infections among mares and their foals at three Polish national studs with different breeds of horses: Arabians, Thoroughbreds and Polish Konik horses. Nasal swabs were collected from each of 38 mare-foal pairs monthly for a period of 6 to 8 months. Virus-specific quantitative PCR assays were used to determine the viral load of EHV-2 and EHV-5 in each sample. All 76 horses sampled were positive for EHV-2 or EHV-5 on at least one sampling occasion. The majority (73/76, 96%) were infected with both EHV-2 and EHV-5. In general, the mean load of viral DNA was higher in samples from foals than from mares, but similar for EHV-2 and EHV-5 at most sampling occasions. There was, however, a considerable variability in the viral DNA load between samples collected at different times from the same foal, as well as between samples from different foals. The latter was more apparent for EHV-2 than for EHV-5. All foals became infected with both viruses early in life, before weaning, and remained positive on all, or most, subsequent samplings. The virus shedding by mares was more intermittent, indicating the existence of age-related differences. Overall, the data presented extend our knowledge of EHV-2/5 epidemiology among mares and foals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Stasiak
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Dunowska
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Jerzy Rola
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-818-893-069
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3
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Rose EC, Tse TY, Oates AW, Jackson K, Pfeiffer S, Donahoe SL, Setyo L, Barrs VR, Beatty JA, Pesavento PA. Oropharyngeal Shedding of Gammaherpesvirus DNA by Cats, and Natural Infection of Salivary Epithelium. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030566. [PMID: 35336972 PMCID: PMC8950464 DOI: 10.3390/v14030566] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Felis catus gammaherpesvirus-1 (FcaGHV1), a novel candidate oncogenic virus, infects cats worldwide. Whether the oropharynx is a site of virus shedding and persistence, and whether oronasal carcinomas harbor FcaGHV1 nucleic acid were investigated. In a prospective molecular epidemiological study, FcaGHV1 DNA was detected by cPCR in oropharyngeal swabs from 26/155 (16.8%) of cats. Oropharyngeal shedding was less frequently detected in kittens ≤3 months of age (5/94, 5.3%) than in older animals; >3 months to ≤1 year: 8/26, 30.8%, (p = 0.001, OR 7.91, 95% CI (2.320, 26.979)); >1 year to ≤6 years: 10/20, 50%, (p < 0.001, OR 17.8 95% CI (5.065, 62.557)); >6 years: 3/15, 33% (p = 0.078). Provenance (shelter-owned/privately owned) was not associated with shedding. In situ hybridization (ISH) identified FcaGHV1-infected cells in salivary glandular epithelium but not in other oronasal tissues from two of three cats shedding viral DNA in the oropharynx. In a retrospective dataset of 11 oronasopharyngeal carcinomas, a single tumor tested positive for FcaGHV1 DNA by ISH, a papillary carcinoma, where scattered neoplastic cells showed discrete nuclear hybridization. These data support the oronasopharynx as a site of FcaGHV1 shedding, particularly after maternal antibodies are expected to decline. The salivary epithelium is identified as a potential site of FcaGHV1 persistence. No evidence supporting a role for FcaGHV1 in feline oronasal carcinomas was found in the examined tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Rose
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.C.R.); (T.Y.T.); (A.W.O.); (K.J.); (P.A.P.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Tiffany Y. Tse
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.C.R.); (T.Y.T.); (A.W.O.); (K.J.); (P.A.P.)
| | - Andrew W. Oates
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.C.R.); (T.Y.T.); (A.W.O.); (K.J.); (P.A.P.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Ken Jackson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.C.R.); (T.Y.T.); (A.W.O.); (K.J.); (P.A.P.)
| | - Susanne Pfeiffer
- Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Shannon L. Donahoe
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (S.L.D.); (L.S.); (V.R.B.)
| | - Laura Setyo
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (S.L.D.); (L.S.); (V.R.B.)
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Vanessa R. Barrs
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (S.L.D.); (L.S.); (V.R.B.)
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Julia A. Beatty
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (S.L.D.); (L.S.); (V.R.B.)
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Patricia A. Pesavento
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.C.R.); (T.Y.T.); (A.W.O.); (K.J.); (P.A.P.)
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Mira F, Canuti M, Di Bella S, Puleio R, Lavazza A, Lelli D, Vicari D, Purpari G, Cannella V, Chiaramonte G, Schirò G, Castronovo C, Guercio A. Detection and Molecular Characterization of Two Gammaherpesviruses from Pantesco Breed Donkeys during an Outbreak of Mild Respiratory Disease. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081527. [PMID: 34452391 PMCID: PMC8402663 DOI: 10.3390/v13081527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Equid and asinine gammaherpesviruses (GHVs; genus Percavirus) are members of the Herpesviridae family. Though GHVs have been reported in horse populations, less studies are available on gammaherpesviral infections in donkeys. This study reports the co-infection with two GHVs in Pantesco breed donkeys, an endangered Italian donkey breed. Samples (n = 124) were collected on a breeding farm in Southern Italy from 40 donkeys, some of which were healthy or presented erosive tongue lesions and/or mild respiratory signs. Samples were analysed by using a set of nested PCRs targeting the DNA polymerase, glycoprotein B, and DNA-packaging protein genes, and sequence and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Twenty-nine donkeys (72.5%) tested positive, and the presence of Equid gammaherpesvirus 7 and asinine herpesvirus 5 was evidenced. In 11 animals, we found evidence for co-infection with viruses from the two species. Virions with herpesvirus-like morphology were observed by electron microscopic examination, and viruses were successfully isolated in RK-13-KY cell monolayers. The histological evaluation of tongue lesions revealed moderate lympho-granulocytic infiltrates and rare eosinophilic inclusions. The detection of GHVs in this endangered asinine breed suggests the need long-life monitoring within conservation programs and reinforces the need for further investigations of GHV’s pathogenetic role in asinine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Marta Canuti
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada;
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi n. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi n. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Vincenza Cannella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Gabriele Chiaramonte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
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Genetic Variation in the Glycoprotein B Sequence of Equid Herpesvirus 5 among Horses of Various Breeds at Polish National Studs. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030322. [PMID: 33803246 PMCID: PMC7998979 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030322] [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: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Equid herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) is one of two γ-herpesviruses that commonly infect horses worldwide. The objective of the study was to estimate the genetic variability within EHV-5 viruses circulating among horses in Poland. Partial glycoprotein B (gB) sequences from 92 Polish horses from 13 studs throughout Poland were compared to each other and to three EHV-5 sequences from other countries. Despite the overall high level of conservation, considerable variability was observed around the putative furin cleavage site. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the viruses clustered within two major lineages (A and B), with further sub-clustering within group A. The clustering of EHV-5 sequences was independent of age or geographical origin of the sampled horses. Recombination was identified as one of the factors contributing to the genomic heterogeneity. Viruses from unweaned foals were more similar to viruses from other foals at the same stud than to viruses form their dams, suggesting the horizontal transfer and/or evolution of EHV-5 within individual hosts. Our data indicate that the gB sequence is not suitable for tracking the source of EHV-5 infection. Further research is needed to elucidate the importance of the sequence variability around the EHV-5 gB furin cleavage site on the biology of the virus.
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Transcriptomic Profiling of Equine and Viral Genes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Horses during Equine Herpesvirus 1 Infection. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010043. [PMID: 33430330 PMCID: PMC7825769 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010043] [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: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) affects horses worldwide and causes respiratory disease, abortions, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Following infection, a cell-associated viremia is established in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). This viremia is essential for transport of EHV-1 to secondary infection sites where subsequent immunopathology results in diseases such as abortion or EHM. Because of the central role of PBMCs in EHV-1 pathogenesis, our goal was to establish a gene expression analysis of host and equine herpesvirus genes during EHV-1 viremia using RNA sequencing. When comparing transcriptomes of PBMCs during peak viremia to those prior to EHV-1 infection, we found 51 differentially expressed equine genes (48 upregulated and 3 downregulated). After gene ontology analysis, processes such as the interferon defense response, response to chemokines, the complement protein activation cascade, cell adhesion, and coagulation were overrepresented during viremia. Additionally, transcripts for EHV-1, EHV-2, and EHV-5 were identified in pre- and post-EHV-1-infection samples. Looking at micro RNAs (miRNAs), 278 known equine miRNAs and 855 potentially novel equine miRNAs were identified in addition to 57 and 41 potentially novel miRNAs that mapped to the EHV-2 and EHV-5 genomes, respectively. Of those, 1 EHV-5 and 4 equine miRNAs were differentially expressed in PBMCs during viremia. In conclusion, this work expands our current knowledge about the role of PBMCs during EHV-1 viremia and will inform the focus on future experiments to identify host and viral factors that contribute to clinical EHM.
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Abade dos Santos FA, Monteiro M, Pinto A, Carvalho CL, Peleteiro MC, Carvalho P, Mendonça P, Carvalho T, Duarte MD. First description of a herpesvirus infection in genus Lepus. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231795. [PMID: 32302375 PMCID: PMC7164596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
During the necropsies of Iberian hares obtained in 2018/2019, along with signs of the nodular form of myxomatosis, other unexpected external lesions were also observed. Histopathology revealed nuclear inclusion bodies in stromal cells suggesting the additional presence of a nuclear replicating virus. Transmission electron microscopy further demonstrated the presence of herpesvirus particles in the tissues of affected hares. We confirmed the presence of herpesvirus in 13 MYXV-positive hares by PCR and sequencing analysis. Herpesvirus-DNA was also detected in seven healthy hares, suggesting its asymptomatic circulation. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated partial sequences of DNA polymerase gene and glycoprotein B gene enabled greater resolution than analysing the sequences individually. The hare’ virus was classified close to herpesviruses from rodents within the Rhadinovirus genus of the gammaherpesvirus subfamily. We propose to name this new virus Leporid gammaherpesvirus 5 (LeHV-5), according to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses standards. The impact of herpesvirus infection on the reproduction and mortality of the Iberian hare is yet unknown but may aggravate the decline of wild populations caused by the recently emerged natural recombinant myxoma virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A Abade dos Santos
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Monteiro
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - A Pinto
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, Portugal
- EM Suite, Royal Brompton Hospital and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C L Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - M C Peleteiro
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - P Mendonça
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - T Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M D Duarte
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Seeber PA, Morrison T, Ortega A, East ML, Greenwood AD, Czirják GÁ. Immune differences in captive and free-ranging zebras (Equus zebra and E. quagga). Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00006-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWild mammals in ex situ captivity experience substantially different environmental conditions compared to free-ranging conspecifics, e.g., in terms of diet, climatic conditions, social factors, movement space, and direct anthropogenic disturbance. Moreover, animals in captivity frequently undergo management interventions such as medical treatments which may influence pathogen pressure. Captivity is known to affect immunological responses in some terrestrial and marine mammals; however, it is unclear whether this can be generalized to other taxa. Furthermore, little is known about how energetically costly life history stages such as lactation influence the immune system in wildlife. We measured expression of components of the constitutive and induced innate immunity and of the adaptive immune system in plains and mountain zebras (Equus quagga and E. zebra), including lactating and non-lactating individuals. As a proxy for general immune function, we screened for lytic equine herpesvirus (EHV) infection, a common and often latent pathogen which is reactivated in response to stress and immune challenge. Both energetically cheap markers of the constitutive innate immunity were lower in captive than in wild zebras, whereas energetically costly markers of the induced innate immunity were more highly expressed in captive zebras. Lactation was associated with higher titers of natural antibodies and lysozyme. Lytic EHV infection was not significantly correlated with any of the measured immune markers. Our results suggest that captivity and lactation may influence immune functions in zebra mares.
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Noninvasive Detection of Equid Herpesviruses in Fecal Samples. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.02234-18. [PMID: 30446563 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02234-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) are pathogens of equid and nonequid hosts that can cause disease and fatalities in captivity and in the wild. EHVs establish latent infections but can reactivate, and most EHVs are shed via the nasal passage. Therefore, nasal swabs are generally used for EHV monitoring. However, invasive sampling of wild equids is difficult. While feces is a commonly used substrate for detecting other pathogens, to our knowledge, EHVs have never been detected in feces of naturally infected equids. We systematically tested zebra feces for EHV presence by (i) establishing nested PCR conditions for fecal DNA extracts, (ii) controlling for environmental EHV contamination, and (iii) large-scale testing on a free-ranging zebra population. A dilution minimizing inhibition while maximizing viral DNA concentrations was determined in captive Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi) fecal samples from individuals shedding EHV nasally. Sixteen of 42 fecal samples (38%) were EHV positive. To demonstrate that the EHV positivity was not a result of environmental contamination, rectal swabs of wild zebras were screened (n = 18 [Equus quagga and E. zebra]), and 50% were EHV positive, indicating that the source of EHV in feces is likely the intestinal mucosa and not postdefecation contamination. Out of 270 fecal samples of wild zebras, 26% were EHV positive. Quantitative PCRs showed that the amount of virus DNA in feces was not significantly smaller than that in other samples. In summary, fecal sampling facilitates large-scale screening and may be useful to noninvasively investigate phylogenetic EHV diversity in wild and domestic equids.IMPORTANCE Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) establish latent infections, and many EHVs are shed and transmitted via nasal discharge primarily through droplet and aerosol infection. Obtaining nasal swabs and other invasive samples from wildlife is often not possible without capture and physical restraint of individuals, which are resource intensive and a health risk for the captured animals. Fecal EHV shedding has never been demonstrated for naturally infected equids. We established the conditions for fecal EHV screening, and our results suggest that testing fecal samples is an effective noninvasive approach for monitoring acute EHV shedding in equids.
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Sorel O, Dewals BG. The Critical Role of Genome Maintenance Proteins in Immune Evasion During Gammaherpesvirus Latency. Front Microbiol 2019; 9:3315. [PMID: 30687291 PMCID: PMC6333680 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gammaherpesviruses are important pathogens that establish latent infection in their natural host for lifelong persistence. During latency, the viral genome persists in the nucleus of infected cells as a circular episomal element while the viral gene expression program is restricted to non-coding RNAs and a few latency proteins. Among these, the genome maintenance protein (GMP) is part of the small subset of genes expressed in latently infected cells. Despite sharing little peptidic sequence similarity, gammaherpesvirus GMPs have conserved functions playing essential roles in latent infection. Among these functions, GMPs have acquired an intriguing capacity to evade the cytotoxic T cell response through self-limitation of MHC class I-restricted antigen presentation, further ensuring virus persistence in the infected host. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the main functions of gammaherpesvirus GMPs during latency with an emphasis on their immune evasion properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Océane Sorel
- Immunology-Vaccinology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-FARAH, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin G Dewals
- Immunology-Vaccinology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-FARAH, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Seeber PA, Quintard B, Sicks F, Dehnhard M, Greenwood AD, Franz M. Environmental stressors may cause equine herpesvirus reactivation in captive Grévy's zebras ( Equus grevyi). PeerJ 2018; 6:e5422. [PMID: 30155350 PMCID: PMC6109370 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine Herpesviruses (EHV) are common and often latent pathogens of equids which can cause fatalities when transmitted to non-equids. Stress and elevated glucocorticoids have been associated with EHV reactivation in domestic horses, but little is known about the correlation between stress and viral reactivation in wild equids. We investigated the effect of an environmental stressor (social group restructuring following a translocation event) on EHV reactivation in captive Grévy's zebras (Equus grevyi). A mare was translocated by road transport from Zoo Mulhouse, France, to join a resident group of three mares in Tierpark Berlin, Germany. We used an indirect sampling method to assess the frequency of EHV shedding for 14 days immediately after the translocation event (termed the 'experimental period'). The results were compared with those from two control periods, one preceding and one subsequent to the experimental period. In addition, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations daily in all individuals from 6 days before, to 14 days after translocation. We found significantly higher EHV shedding frequencies during the experimental period, compared to each of the two control periods. All animals showed significantly elevated fGCM concentrations, compared to fGCM levels before translocation. Finally, we found that an increase in fGCM concentration was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of EHV shedding. Although the small number of animals in the study limits the conclusions that can be drawn from the study, taken together, our results support the hypothesis that environmental stressors induce viral reactivation in wild equids. Our results suggest that potentials stressors such as group restructuring and translocation should be considered in the management of zoological collections to reduce the risk of fatal EHV infections in novel hosts. Moreover, environmental stressors may play an important role in EHV reactivation and spread in wild equid populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Seeber
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Martin Dehnhard
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alex D. Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Franz
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
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