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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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2
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Cierniak F, von Arnim F, Heckel G, Ulrich RG, Groschup MH, Eiden M. A Putative Novel Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Subtype Identified in Rabbit, Germany 2016. Viruses 2021; 13:1065. [PMID: 34205182 PMCID: PMC8228152 DOI: 10.3390/v13061065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E is an emerging viral disease that is the leading cause of viral hepatitis in the world. The vast majority of hepatitis E cases in developed countries are caused by zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4 of hepatitis E virus (HEV) for which pig and wild boar and to lesser extent rabbits are the main reservoir. According to recent reports rabbits are a source of human HEV infection and highlight the risk of zoonotic foodborne transmission. Here we report the molecular analysis of a novel HEV strain identified in a rabbit during a countrywide surveillance of rabbits and hares in Germany, 2016. The analysis of the complete genome reveals characteristics of a putative novel recombinant subtype of the species Orthohepevirus A within the clade of genotype 3 but not closely related to any known subtypes. Importantly, the genome of this strain possesses a nucleotide exchange in the overlapping region of open reading frames ORF2/ORF3 interfering with a broadly applied diagnostic real-time RT-PCR. In conclusion, a new type of HEV strain was identified in a German rabbit with atypical and novel sequence characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Cierniak
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (F.v.A.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Felicitas von Arnim
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (F.v.A.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Rainer G. Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (F.v.A.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
- Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (F.v.A.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
- Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (F.v.A.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
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3
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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4
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Águeda-Pinto A, Kraberger S, Lund MC, Gortázar C, McFadden G, Varsani A, Esteves PJ. Coinfections of Novel Polyomavirus, Anelloviruses and a Recombinant Strain of Myxoma Virus-MYXV-Tol Identified in Iberian Hares. Viruses 2020; 12:E340. [PMID: 32244962 PMCID: PMC7150814 DOI: 10.3390/v12030340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are ubiquitous in nature; however, very few have been identified in the Leporid species. In the fall of 2018, an outbreak of myxomatosis in Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) was reported in Spain and a novel recombinant myxoma virus strain (MYXV-Tol) was identified. To investigate variability within the recombinant region of the MYXV-Tol and identify any potential viral coinfections, samples (ear, eyelid or vaginal) of Iberian hares were collected from Spain and analyzed. The presence of the recombinant region of the MYXV-Tol was confirmed in six out of eleven samples analyzed. Additionally, a polyomavirus (family Polyomaviridae), representing a putative new species, and anelloviruses (family Anelloviridae) belonging to two putative species were identified, some as coinfection with the recombinant MYXV-Tol. The two polyomavirus genomes were identified in two hares and share >99% genome-wide identity. Based on the analysis of their large T-antigen, the new polyomavirus clusters in a distant clade from other mammals sharing <64% amino acid identity. A total of 14 anelloviruses were identified, which share 63-99% genome-wide identity. Overall, our results show a coinfection of different DNA viruses in the studied samples and raise awareness regarding the extensive unsampled diversity of viruses in hares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Águeda-Pinto
- CIBIO/InBio—Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (S.K.); (G.M.)
| | - Simona Kraberger
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (S.K.); (G.M.)
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine and School of Life sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Michael C. Lund
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine and School of Life sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo, 28005 Ciudad Real, Spain;
| | - Grant McFadden
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (S.K.); (G.M.)
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine and School of Life sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Pedro J. Esteves
- CIBIO/InBio—Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- CITS—Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias da Saúde, IPSN, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
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5
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Corman VM, Hilgensloh L, Voigt U, Marklewitz M, Siebert U, Drosten C, Drexler JF. Hepatitis E Virus Infection in European Brown Hares, Germany, 2007-2014. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1233-1235. [PMID: 31107217 PMCID: PMC6537731 DOI: 10.3201/eid2506.181618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabbit-associated hepatitis E viruses (HEVs) cause zoonotic infections. We investigated 2,389 hares in Germany during 2007–2014. Complete genome characterization of a hare-associated HEV strain revealed close genomic relatedness to rabbit-associated HEV strains. Although hare-specific HEV seroprevalence was low, at 2.6%, hares represent a potential source of sporadic HEV infections.
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6
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Águeda-Pinto A, Lemos de Matos A, Abrantes M, Kraberger S, Risalde MA, Gortázar C, McFadden G, Varsani A, Esteves PJ. Genetic Characterization of a Recombinant Myxoma Virus in the Iberian Hare ( Lepus granatensis). Viruses 2019; 11:v11060530. [PMID: 31181645 PMCID: PMC6631704 DOI: 10.3390/v11060530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Myxomatosis is a lethal disease in wild European and domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which is caused by a Myxoma virus (MYXV) infection-a leporipoxvirus that is found naturally in some Sylvilagus rabbit species in South America and California. The introduction of MYXV into feral European rabbit populations of Australia and Europe, in the early 1950s, demonstrated the best-documented field example of host-virus coevolution, following a cross-species transmission. Recently, a new cross-species jump of MYXV has been suggested in both Great Britain and Spain, where European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) were found dead with lesions consistent with those observed in myxomatosis. To investigate the possibility of a new cross-species transmission event by MYXV, tissue samples collected from a wild Iberian hare found dead in Spain (Toledo region) were analyzed and deep sequenced. Our results reported a new MYXV isolate (MYXV Toledo) in the tissues of this species. The genome of this new virus was found to encode three disruptive genes (M009L, M036L, and M152R) and a novel ~2.8 kb recombinant region, which resulted from an insertion of four novel poxviral genes towards the 3' end of the negative strand of its genome. From the open reading frames inserted into the MYXV Toledo virus, a new orthologue of a poxvirus host range gene family member was identified, which was related to the MYXV gene M064R. Overall, we confirmed the identity of a new MYXV isolate in Iberian hares, which, we hypothesized, was able to more effectively counteract the host defenses in hares and start an infectious process in this new host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Águeda-Pinto
- CIBIO/InBio-Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal.
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
| | - Ana Lemos de Matos
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
| | - Mário Abrantes
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
| | - Simona Kraberger
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine and School of Life sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
| | - Maria A Risalde
- Dpto. de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas, Universidad de Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Christian Gortázar
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo, 28005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Grant McFadden
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine and School of Life sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
| | - Pedro J Esteves
- CIBIO/InBio-Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal.
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
- CITS-Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias da Saúde, IPSN, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
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7
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Serracca L, Battistini R, Rossini I, Mignone W, Peletto S, Boin C, Pistone G, Ercolini R, Ercolini C. Molecular Investigation on the Presence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wild Game in North-Western Italy. Food Environ Virol 2015; 7:206-12. [PMID: 26006251 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-015-9201-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Meat products from HEV-infected reservoir animal species are capable of transmitting HEV to humans and represent a public health concern. Human HEV cases have been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked pig liver sausages, pork, and game meats, such as wild boars and deer worldwide. Direct exposure to swine or wild game species might also represent a source of HEV transmission especially for veterinarians, hunters, or butchers. A limited amount of data is available on HEV prevalence in wild boars in Italy and no data are available for other wild game species intended for human consumption. In this study, the circulation of HEV in four different animal species hunted in north-western Italy was evaluated to gain insight into the infection levels and the genetic diversity of the virus in such animal populations. Liver samples of 372 wild boars, 30 roe deer, 47 European hares and 38 coypus were analyzed for HEV RNA by real-time RT-PCR; positive samples were then sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. HEV RNA was detected in the livers of 7/372 (1.9%) wild boars tested, while no sample was positive for roe deer, European hare, and coypu. Phylogenetic analysis showed that wild boar HEV sequences belonged to HEV subtypes 3e, 3c, and 3f. Our results indicate that HEV is circulating only in wild boar among the considered game species in north-western Italy and suggest a potential zoonotic risk related to handling and/or consumption of raw or undercooked meat and products made of the liver from this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Serracca
- IZSPLVA - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta - Sezione La Spezia, Via degli Stagnoni 96, 19100, La Spezia, Italy,
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8
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Iacovakis C, Mamuris Z, Moutou KA, Touloudi A, Hammer AS, Valiakos G, Giannoulis T, Stamatis C, Spyrou V, Athanasiou LV, Kantere M, Asferg T, Giannakopoulos A, Salomonsen CM, Bogdanos D, Birtsas P, Petrovska L, Hannant D, Billinis C. Polarisation of major histocompatibility complex II host genotype with pathogenesis of European Brown Hare syndrome virus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74360. [PMID: 24069299 PMCID: PMC3778001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A study was conducted in order to determine the occurrence of European Brown Hare Syndrome virus (EBHSV) in Denmark and possible relation between disease pathogenesis and Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) host genotype. Liver samples were examined from 170 brown hares (hunted, found sick or dead), collected between 2004 and 2009. Macroscopical and histopathological findings consistent with EBHS were detected in 24 (14.1%) hares; 35 (20.6%) had liver lesions not typical of the syndrome, 50 (29.4%) had lesions in other tissues and 61 (35.9%) had no lesions. Sixty five (38.2%) of 170 samples were found to be EBHSV-positive (RT-PCR, VP60 gene). In order to investigate associations between viral pathogenesis and host genotype, variation within the exon 2 DQA gene of MHC was assessed. DQA exon 2 analysis revealed the occurrence of seven different alleles in Denmark. Consistent with other populations examined so far in Europe, observed heterozygosity of DQA (Ho = 0.1180) was lower than expected (He = 0.5835). The overall variation for both nucleotide and amino acid differences (2.9% and 14.9%, respectively) were lower in Denmark than those assessed in other European countries (8.3% and 16.9%, respectively). Within the peptide binding region codons the number of nonsynonymous substitutions (dN) was much higher than synonymous substitutions (dS), which would be expected for MHC alleles under balancing selection. Allele frequencies did not significantly differ between EBHSV-positive and -negative hares. However, allele Leeu-DQA*30 was detected in significantly higher (P = 0.000006) frequency among the positive hares found dead with severe histopathological lesions than among those found sick or apparently healthy. In contrast, the latter group was characterized by a higher frequency of the allele Leeu-DQA*14 as well as the proportion of heterozygous individuals (P = 0.000006 and P = 0.027). These data reveal a polarisation between EBHSV pathogenesis and MHC class II genotype within the European brown hare in Denmark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Iacovakis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Zissis Mamuris
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Katerina A. Moutou
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Antonia Touloudi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Anne Sofie Hammer
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - George Valiakos
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Themis Giannoulis
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Costas Stamatis
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Spyrou
- Department of Animal Production, Technological Education Institute of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Labrini V. Athanasiou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Kantere
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Tommy Asferg
- Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Charlotte M. Salomonsen
- Section for Fur Animal and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dimitrios Bogdanos
- Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Periklis Birtsas
- Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Administration, Technological Education Institute of Larissa, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Liljana Petrovska
- Department of Bacteriology, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan Hannant
- School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses, non-retroviral RNA viruses and DNA viruses have been found in the mammalian genomes. The origin of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans, remains unclear since its discovery. Here we show that fragments homologous to HCV structural and non-structural (NS) proteins present in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hare (Lepus europaeus) genomes replicate in bovine cell cultures. The HCV genomic homolog fragments were demonstrated by RT-PCR, PCR, mass spectrometry, and replication in bovine cell cultures by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and immunogold electron microscopy (IEM) using specific MAbs for HCV NS3, NS4A, and NS5 proteins. These findings may lead to novel research approaches on the HCV origin, genesis, evolution and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Silva
- Departement of Veterinary Clinics, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO), Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Sara Marques
- Departement of Veterinary Clinics, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO), Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Hugo Osório
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Júlio Carvalheira
- Departement of Veterinary Clinics, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO), Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Gertrude Thompson
- Departement of Veterinary Clinics, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO), Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Lavrent'ev MV, Prilipov AG, Khutoretskaia NV, Butenko AM, L'vov DK. [Phylogenetic analysis of complete nucleotide sequence of a snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) virus genome]. Vopr Virusol 2008; 53:31-36. [PMID: 19069791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The complete nucleotide consequence of snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) virus (SSHV) genome was first determined. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the identity of the study strain in the complete S segment and an L-segment with a length of 145 amino acid residues with SSHV sequences from the database GenBank (J02390, AF393325). The homology of an M segment of the study segment was 99.7% with the consequences of the same from the database GenBank (K02539). La Crosse virus is most genetically close to SHV among the representatives of the California encephalitis serocomplex.
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L'vov DK, Shchelkanov MI, Kolobukhina LV, L'vov DN, Galkina IV, Aristova VA, Morozova TN, Proshina ES, Kulikov AG, Kogdenko NV, Andronova OV, Pronin NI, Shevkoplias VN, Fontanetskiĭ AS, Vlasov NA, Nepoklonov EA. [Serological monitoring of arbovirus infections in the estuary of the Kuban River (the 2006-2007 data)]. Vopr Virusol 2008; 53:30-35. [PMID: 18756814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Solid-phase enzyme immunoassay, neutralization test, and the hemagglutination-inhibition test were used to study the sera from human beings (152 samples), agricultural animals (n = 77), hares (n = 3), and wild birds (n = 69), collected in 2006-2007 in the Kuban River estuary (Temryuk District, Krasnodar Territory). There were specific antibodies against viruses of West Nile (WH), tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus), Sindbis (Togaviridae, Alphavirus), the antigenic complex of California, Batai (Bunyaviridae, Orthobunyavirus), Dhori (Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus). The findings suggest the presence of arboviruses from 6 transmitting mosquitoes and ticks in the study area and human infection by the viruses of the antigenic complex of California (20-47%), Batai (3-15%), West Nile (3-12%), Dhori (2%). The index agricultural animals (horses, cattle) were observed to have specific antibodies to the viruses of WN (8-15%), TBE (0-2%), Sindbis (2-9%), the antigenic complex of California (27-54%). Out of the representatives of the wild fauna, virus-neutralizing antibodies to Sindbis virus were found in European hares (Lepus europaeus), California complex virus in gulls (Larus argentatus) and terns (Sterna hirundo), WN and Sindbis viruses in herons (Ardea purpurea), and WN and California complex viruses in bald-coots (Fulica atra).
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Frölich K, Fickel J, Ludwig A, Lieckfeldt D, Streich WJ, Jurcik R, Slamecka J, Wibbelt G. NEW VARIANTS OF EUROPEAN BROWN HARE SYNDROME VIRUS STRAINS IN FREE-RANGING EUROPEAN BROWN HARES (LEPUS EUROPAEUS) FROM SLOVAKIA. J Wildl Dis 2007; 43:89-96. [PMID: 17347397 DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-43.1.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Investigations regarding European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Slovakia were undertaken in order to detect the possible presence of EBHSV and to evaluate its phylogenetic position. Liver and/or serum samples were obtained from 135 European brown hares shot by hunters in eight regional hunting areas. From 36 animals corresponding liver and serum samples were available; from the remaining 49 and 50 animals only liver or serum samples were examined, respectively. Samples were tested for antibodies against EBHSV and for viral RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT-PCR products were subsequently sequenced. Additionally, matrilinear hare haplotypes were analyzed in order to detect potential familial susceptibility to EBHSV. Sixty-three of 86 sera contained antibodies against EBHSV, whereas 15 of 85 liver samples were PCR positive. Of the latter, 14 were sequenced, revealing three new strains of EBHSV. Fifteen different matrilinear haplotypes were identified, but no correlation was found between haplotype and susceptibility to EBHSV infection. Our findings confirmed the existence of EBHSV in Slovakia and reinforce the need for determining EBHSV status when importing hares for restocking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Frölich
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, PO Box 601103, 10252 Berlin, Germany.
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Billinis C, Psychas V, Tontis DK, Spyrou V, Birtsas PK, Sofia M, Likotrafitis F, Maslarinou OM, Kanteres D. European brown hare syndrome in wild European brown hares from Greece. J Wildl Dis 2006; 41:783-6. [PMID: 16456168 DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-41.4.783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
From 1999 to mid-2003, 97 European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) found dead throughout Greece were examined by necropsy, histopathology, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) and EBHS virus (EBHSV), respectively. Hare losses were sporadic, starting in the cold season and lasting for many months (December to May). The most prominent gross lesions were observed in the liver and included swelling and discoloration; congestion and hemorrhages were present mainly in lungs and tracheal mucosa. Necropsy findings were suggestive of EBHS, which was confirmed by histopathology and RT-PCR. This study documents, for the first time, EBHS in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalambos Billinis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Trikalon 224, GR-43100 Karditsa, Greece.
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Abstract
Serologic surveillance of populations of snowshoe hares and other vertebrate species of north-central Alberta from 1961 to 1969, revealed activity of one bacterial and eight viral agents. The most prevalent agents infecting the snowshoe hare were California encephalitis and Silverwater viruses, while in other vertebrates California encephalitis and Western equine encephalomyelitis viruses were the most common. The role of the snowshoe hare in the natural history of the agents is considered as is the effect of the agent on the hare ten-year cycle of abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Hoff
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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Le Gall-Reculé G, Zwingelstein F, Laurent S, Portejoie Y, Rasschaert D. Molecular epidemiology of European brown hare syndrome virus in France between 1989 and 2003. Arch Virol 2006; 151:1713-21. [PMID: 16596329 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-006-0754-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2005] [Accepted: 02/28/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetic diversity between French European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) viruses since the disease appeared has been evaluated. Nucleotide sequencing of the partial capsid protein genes of 169 EBHS viruses collected from various parts of France between 1989 and 2003, three reference strains, and a Greek EBHSV collected in 2002 revealed a maximum nucleotide divergence of 11.7%, indicating a high level of conservation between viruses. Two major groups were identified. The first group contained EBHS viruses collected since 1989 from different parts of France, the reference strains, and all of the viruses located in the far north of France. In this group, three genogroups were clearly identified as mainly related to their geographic origin. The distribution of the viruses suggests that the early viruses have not disappeared and have slowly evolved in their area of origin. The second group, supported by a significant bootstrap value, contained the Greek EBHSV with the French EBHS viruses collected between 1999 and 2003 from regions of southern France. It constitutes a newly identified genogroup. Our results demonstrate strong differences in genetic evolution between EBHSV and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, with persistence of the earlier EBHS viruses and interaction between the geographical and temporal distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Le Gall-Reculé
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA), Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherches Avicoles et Porcines, Unité de Virologie, Immunologie, Parasitologie, Aviaires et Cunicoles, Ploufragan, France
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Dobler G, Wölfel R, Schmüser H, Essbauer S, Pfeffer M. Seroprevalence of tick-borne and mosquito-borne arboviruses in European brown hares in Northern and Western Germany. Int J Med Microbiol 2006; 296 Suppl 40:80-3. [PMID: 16530475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2005.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tríbec virus (Kemerovo serogroup, genus Orbivirus), Eyach virus (genus Coltivirus), and Tahyna virus (California encephalitis serogroup, genus Bunyavirus) are arthropod-borne viruses known to occur in Germany. These viruses are also suspected to cause human disease. So far, no information is available on their geographical distribution in Germany and their natural transmission cycles. A total of 166 sera from European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) collected in seven districts of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein and in four districts of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia was tested by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for antibodies against Tríbec virus, Eyach virus, Tahyna virus, and Central European encephalitis virus. One out of 22 sera (4.5%) collected in the district Nord-Friesland in Schleswig-Holstein was found positive (PRNT(90) 1:10) against Tríbec virus. Neither did sera from other regions of Schleswig-Holstein nor from hares from North Rhine-Westphalia react against any of the arboviruses tested. For the first time, antibodies against Tríbec virus could be found in a European brown hare in Germany. The negative serological results for Central European encephalitis virus are in line with the current knowledge of its natural distribution within Germany. The negative serological results for Tahyna virus or Eyach virus argue against an autochthonous circulation of these viruses in the regions tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937 Munich, Germany.
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Zaĭkovskaia AV, Aksenov VI, Rassadkin IN, Shestopalov AM. [Rabies epizootic situation in the Novosibirsk region in 1997 - 2003]. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol 2005:37-40. [PMID: 16146225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Starting from the end of 1997, a rise in the epizooty of rabies with peaks in 1998 and 2002 was noted. 550 cases of rabies were registered in wild and domestic animals, as well as one lethal case of rabies in man in 2001. Wild carnivorous animals are traditionally regarded as the reservoir and source of rabies virus (38%). In the Novosibirsk region this disease was registered in badgers, wild herbivorous animals, myomorph rodents, hares, marmots. Urban cases of rabies constituted 23%, cases of rabies among agricultural animals constituted 14% of all rabies cases in the Novosibirsk region.
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Norman R, Ross D, Laurenson MK, Hudson PJ. The role of non-viraemic transmission on the persistence and dynamics of a tick borne virus--Louping ill in red grouse ( Lagopus lagopus scoticus) and mountain hares ( Lepus timidus). J Math Biol 2003; 48:119-34. [PMID: 14745507 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-002-0183-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2002] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There exist many tick borne infections that are of either economic or public health interest. Mathematical models have previously been used to describe the dynamics of these infections. However it has recently come to light that there is an alternative mechanism for the transmission of these diseases that has not been considered in a modelling framework. This is transmission through ticks co-feeding on non-viraemic hosts. This paper extends a simple mathematical model to include this alternative transmission mechanism. The model is used to describe the dynamics of Louping ill virus in red grouse (the viraemic host) and hares (the non-viraemic host). However, these results are applicable to many other systems. The model is analysed using joint threshold density curves. It is found that the presence of a non-viraemic host allows the virus to persist more readily than it would in the presence of a host that simply amplified the tick population. More importantly, if the level of non-viraemic transmission is high enough the virus can persist in the absence of the viraemic host. This result has important implications for the control of tick borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Norman
- Stirling Mathematical Ecology Group, Department of Computing Science and Mathematics, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
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L'vov DN, Dzharkenov AF, Aristova VA, Kovtunov AI, Gromashevskiĭ VL, Vyshemirskiĭ OI, Galkina IV, Larichev VF, Butenko AM, L'vov DK. [The isolation of Dhori viruses (Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (Bunyaviridae, Nairovirus) from the hare (Lepus europaeus) and its ticks Hyalomma marginatum in the middle zone of the Volga delta, Astrakhan region, 2001]. Vopr Virusol 2002; 47:32-6. [PMID: 12271723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
In August, 2001, in the middle zone of the delta of the Volga River, the Astrakhan region, during investigation of the natural foci of West Nile fever and Crimean--Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), the material from the hare (Lepus europaeus, Pallas, 1778 (Lagomorpha, Leporidae) and collected from it the ticks Hyalomna marginatum Koch 1844, was obtained. 4 strains of Dhori virus (Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus) and 2 strains of CCHF virus (Bunyaviridae, Nairovirus) were isolated. This is the first isolation of Thogotovirus genus virus from the wild vertebrates. Considering the overlap of the Dhori virus and CCHF virus areas, similar ecology and the isolation both viruses from the same pool of the ticks, the necessity for the use of the test-system for indication of the viruses, differential diagnosis and accumulation of the data concerning the role of Dhori virus in the human and farm animals pathology is discussed.
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