Thursday, September 27, 2012

Evidence for Recombination between Vaccine and Wild-Type PRRSV Strains

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the etiologic agent of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which can evolve continuously by random mutation or intragenic recombination. Here we report the com- plete genomic sequence of a PRRSV variant with nucleotide acid deletions and insertions in the nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2) gene and a possible recombination event between a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine strain and a prototype Chinese field strain.

Wenhui Lu, Zhongyan W, Guanqun Z, Zhili Li, JingYun Ma. Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Variant Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Strain: Evidence for Recombination between Vaccine and Wild-Type PRRSV Strains. Journal of virology 2012;86(17):9543-9543.

Antigenic and molecular diversity of British PRRSv isolates and implications for diagnosis

Abstract: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an endemic disease of pigs, caused by PRRS virus, a member of the Arteriviridae family. First seen in Britain in 1991, the disease continues to be a significant economic and welfare problem for pig producers. 

To date, only PRRSV genotype 1 has been found in Britain. At the genetic level, a considerable increase has been reported in the diversity of PRRS viruses isolated in Britain between 2003 and 2007, versus the early 1990s. In this study, the diversity has been shown to extend to the antigenic level too, with potential consequences for diagnostic methods. Antigenic diversity was assessed using a panel of twelve monoclonal antibodies, only one of which reacted with all isolates tested. Nine diverse viruses were compared as potential antigens in immunoperoxidase monolayer assays, where each one produced quite different results for a common panel of sera. As a single virus is used in each diagnostic assay, results must therefore be interpreted cautiously. 

For a real-time RT-PCR assay, published oligonucleotide primer and probe sequences were evaluated against available genetic sequences of British and European viruses, and were re-designed where considerable mismatches were found. The multiplex assay incorporating these modified primers to detect genotype 1 and 2 PRRS viruses was then validated for use with diagnostic sera and tissues. 

As the increasing degree of diversity exhibited by British strains is mirrored in other countries, PRRSV will continue to provide an ongoing challenge to diagnosis at a global, as well as national level.

Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Frossard J, Fearnley C, Naidu B, Errington J, Westcott D G. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus: Antigenic and molecular diversity of British isolates and implications for diagnosis. Veterinary microbiology 2012;158(3-4):308-315.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Effects of challenge with a virulent genotype II strain of PRRS virus on piglets vaccinated with an attenuated genotype I strain vaccine


Abstract: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is endemic in most parts of Asia, where genotype I and II strains of diverse virulence may coexist. This study evaluated the outcome of infection with a highly virulent Asian genotype II PRRSV isolate in piglets vaccinated with a genotype 1 vaccine. Twenty-one 3-week-old piglets were divided in three groups: Pigs in group V (n = 8) were vaccinated with an attenuated genotype I commercial PRRSV vaccine, while pigs in group U (n = 8) and a control group (group C; n = 5) were unvaccinated; 6 weeks later, pigs in groups V and U were challenged intranasally with a highly virulent strain of genotype II PRRSV (1 x 10(5) 50% tissue culture infectious doses/mL), while pigs in group C received a placebo. Over a period of 21 days after challenge, vaccinated pigs had significantly lower mortality (0/8 versus 2/8), fewer days of fever, a lower frequency of catarrhal bronchopneumonia, higher weight gains (13.4 versus 6.6 kg) and lower levels of viraemia compared to unvaccinated challenged pigs. Immunisation with a genotype I attenuated PRRSV vaccine provided partial protection against challenge with a highly virulent genotype II strain. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Accession Number: WOS:000307478200018.


Roca M, Gimeno M, Bruguera S, Segales J, Diaz I. Effects of challenge with a virulent genotype II strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on piglets vaccinated with an attenuated genotype I strain vaccine. The veterinary journal 2012;193(1):92-96.