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Lean FZX, Leblond AL, Byrne AMP, Mollett B, James J, Watson S, Hurley S, Brookes SM, Weber A, Núñez A. Subclinical hepatitis E virus infection in laboratory ferrets in the UK. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferrets are widely used for experimental modelling of viral infections. However, background disease in ferrets could potentially confound intended experimental interpretation. Here we report the detection of a subclinical infection of ferret hepatitis E virus (FRHEV) within a colony sub-group of female laboratory ferrets that had been enrolled on an experimental viral infection study (non-hepatitis). Lymphoplasmacytic cuffing of periportal spaces was identified on histopathology but was negative for the RNA and antigens of the administered virus. Follow-up viral metagenomic analysis conducted on liver specimens revealed sequences attributed to FRHEV and these were confirmed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Further genomic analysis revealed contiguous sequences spanning 79–95 % of the FRHEV genome and that the sequences were closely related to those reported previously in Europe. Using in situ hybridization by RNAScope, we confirmed the presence of HEV-specific RNA in hepatocytes. The HEV open reading frame 2 (ORF2) protein was also detected by immunohistochemistry in the hepatocytes and the biliary canaliculi. In conclusion, the results of our study provide evidence of background infection with FRHEV in laboratory ferrets. As this infection can be subclinical, we recommend routine monitoring of ferret populations using virological and liver function tests to avoid incorrect causal attribution of any liver disease detected in in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Z. X. Lean
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
- Present address: Department of Pathobiology & Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Anne-Laure Leblond
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander M. P. Byrne
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Benjamin Mollett
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Joe James
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Samantha Watson
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Shellene Hurley
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Sharon M. Brookes
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Achim Weber
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro Núñez
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
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Everett HE, Lean FZX, Byrne AMP, van Diemen PM, Rhodes S, James J, Mollett B, Coward VJ, Skinner P, Warren CJ, Bewley KR, Watson S, Hurley S, Ryan KA, Hall Y, Simmons H, Núñez A, Carroll MW, Brown IH, Brookes SM. Intranasal Infection of Ferrets with SARS-CoV-2 as a Model for Asymptomatic Human Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:113. [PMID: 33467732 PMCID: PMC7830262 DOI: 10.3390/v13010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [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: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferrets were experimentally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-related coronavirus 2) to assess infection dynamics and host response. During the resulting subclinical infection, viral RNA was monitored between 2 and 21 days post-inoculation (dpi), and reached a peak in the upper respiratory cavity between 4 and 6 dpi. Viral genomic sequence analysis in samples from three animals identified the Y453F nucleotide substitution relative to the inoculum. Viral RNA was also detected in environmental samples, specifically in swabs of ferret fur. Microscopy analysis revealed viral protein and RNA in upper respiratory tract tissues, notably in cells of the respiratory and olfactory mucosae of the nasal turbinates, including olfactory neuronal cells. Antibody responses to the spike and nucleoprotein were detected from 21 dpi, but virus-neutralizing activity was low. A second intranasal inoculation (re-exposure) of two ferrets after a 17-day interval did not produce re-initiation of viral RNA shedding, but did amplify the humoral response in one animal. Therefore, ferrets can be experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2 to model human asymptomatic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E. Everett
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Fabian Z. X. Lean
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (F.Z.X.L.); (S.W.); (S.H.); (H.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Alexander M. P. Byrne
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Pauline M. van Diemen
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Shelley Rhodes
- Bacteriology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Joe James
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Benjamin Mollett
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Vivien J. Coward
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Paul Skinner
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Caroline J. Warren
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Kevin R. Bewley
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (K.R.B.); (K.A.R.); (Y.H.); (M.W.C.)
| | - Samantha Watson
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (F.Z.X.L.); (S.W.); (S.H.); (H.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Shellene Hurley
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (F.Z.X.L.); (S.W.); (S.H.); (H.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Kathryn A. Ryan
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (K.R.B.); (K.A.R.); (Y.H.); (M.W.C.)
| | - Yper Hall
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (K.R.B.); (K.A.R.); (Y.H.); (M.W.C.)
| | - Hugh Simmons
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (F.Z.X.L.); (S.W.); (S.H.); (H.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Alejandro Núñez
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (F.Z.X.L.); (S.W.); (S.H.); (H.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Miles W. Carroll
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (K.R.B.); (K.A.R.); (Y.H.); (M.W.C.)
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
| | - Sharon M. Brookes
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (P.M.v.D.); (J.J.); (B.M.); (V.J.C.); (P.S.); (C.J.W.); (I.H.B.); (S.M.B.)
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Lehner AF, Hughes CG, Harkins JD, Nickerson C, Mollett B, Dirikolu L, Bosken J, Camargo F, Boyles J, Troppmann A, Karpiesiuk WW, Woods WE, Tobin T. Detection and Confirmation of Ractopamine and Its Metabolites in Horse Urine After Paylean® Administration*. J Anal Toxicol 2004; 28:226-38. [PMID: 15189672 DOI: 10.1093/jat/28.4.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the detection, confirmation, and metabolism of the beta-adrenergic agonist ractopamine administered as Paylean to the horse. A Testing Components Corporation enzyme-linked imunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for ractopamine displayed linear response between 1.0 and 100 ng/mL with an I-50 of 10 ng/mL and an effective screening limit of detection of 50 ng/mL. The kit was readily able to detect ractopamine equivalents in unhydrolyzed urine up to 24 h following a 300-mg oral dose. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmation comprised glucuronidase treatment, solid-phase extraction, and trimethylsilyl derivatization, with selected-ion monitoring of ractopamine-tris(trimethylsilane) (TMS) m/z 267, 250, 179, and 502 ions. Quantitation was elaborated in comparison to a 445 Mw isoxsuprine-bis(TMS) internal standard monitored simultaneously. The instrumental limit of detection, defined as that number of ng on column for which signal-to-noise ratios for one or more diagnostic ions fell below a value of three, was 0.1 ng, corresponding to roughly 5 ng/mL in matrix. Based on the quantitation ions for ractopamine standards extracted from urine, standard curves showed a linear response for ractopamine concentrations between 10 and 100 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient r > 0.99, whereas standards in the concentration range of 10-1000 ng/mL were fit to a second-order regression curve with r > 0.99. The lower limit of detection for ractopamine in urine, defined as the lowest concentration at which the identity of ractopamine could be confirmed by comparison of diagnostic MS ion ratios, ranged between 25 and 50 ng/mL. Urine concentration of parent ractopamine 24 h post-dose was measured at 360 ng/mL by GC-MS after oral administration of 300 mg. Urinary metabolites were identified by electrospray ionization (+) tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry and were shown to include glucuronide, methyl, and mixed methyl-glucuronide conjugates. We also considered the possibility that an unusual conjugate added 113 amu to give an observed m/z 415 [M+H] species or two times 113 amu to give an m/z 528 [M+H] species with a daughter ion mass spectrum related to the previous one. Sulfate and mixed methyl-sulfate conjugates were revealed following glucuronidase treatment, suggesting that sulfation occurs in combination with glucuronidation. We noted a paired chromatographic peak phenomenon of apparent ractopamine metabolites appearing as doublets of equivalent intensity with nearly identical mass spectra on GC-MS and concluded that this phenomenon is consistent with Paylean being a mixture of RR, RS, SR, and SS diastereomers of ractopamine. The results suggest that ELISA-based screening followed by glucuronide hydrolysis, parent drug recovery, and TMS derivatization provide an effective pathway for detection and GC-MS confirmation of ractopamine in equine urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Lehner
- 108 Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA.
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