Molecular characterization of Japanese encephalitis viruses circulating in pigs and mosquitoes on pig farms in the Chinese province of Henan

Since the first Chinese case report of Japanese encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has circulated in China for at least 60 years. Even though pigs play a critical role in the JEV transmission cycle information on the prevalence of JEV in pigs has not been investigated in China. As the central Chinese province of Henan has the largest human population in China, a history of serious JEV and is the largest pig producing province it was chosen for this study. We have found that currently natural infection with JEV in pigs and mosquitoes is prevalent and both genotypes 1 and 3 co-circulate in pigs and mosquitoes in central China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all of the newly obtained pig-derived JEV isolates are more closely related to isolates from the 1950s to 1960s than to those recently isolated from humans and mosquitoes. Further analyses based on all the previous reported Chinese isolates indicates that presently genotype 3 JEV is the predominant genotype in pigs but genotype 1 JEV is emerging and spreading rapidly in recent years. Our study provides information for understanding the current epidemiology of JEV in China and suggests possible measures applicable to the further control of JEV.     

Comparison of genomic and amino acid sequences of eight Japanese encephalitis virus isolates from bats

We compared nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of eight Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) isolates derived from bats in China. We also compared the bat JEV isolates with other JEV isolates available from GenBank to determine their genetic similarity. We found a high genetic homogeneity among the bat JEVs isolated in different geographical areas from various bat species at different time periods. All eight bat JEV isolates belonged to genotype III. The mean evolutionary rate of bat JEV isolates was lower than those of isolates of other origin, but this difference was not statistically significant. Based on these results, we presume that the bat JEV isolates might be evolutionarily conserved. The eight bat JEV isolates were phylogenetically similar to mosquito BN19 and human Liyujie isolates of JEV. These results indicate that bats might be involved in natural cycle of JEV.     

Molecular phylogenetic and positive selection analysis of Japanese encephalitis virus strains isolated from pigs in China

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is one of the most important virus which causes encephalitis. This disease is most prevalent in the south, southeast and the east region of Asia. In this study, two JEV strains, named JEV/SW/GD/01/2009 and JEV/SW/GZ/09/2004, were isolated from aborted fetuses and seminal fluid of pigs in China. To determine the characteristic of these virus isolates, the virulence of two newly JEV isolates was investigated, the result evidenced that the JEV/SW/GD/01/2009 did not kill mice, while the JEV/SW/GZ/09/2004 displayed neurovirulence with 0.925 log₁₀ p.f.u./LD50. Additionally, the full genome sequences of JEV were determined and compared with other known JEV strains. Results demonstrated that the genome of two JEV isolates was 10,976 nucleotides (nt) in length. As compared to the Chinese vaccine strain SA14-14-2, the JEV/SW/GD/01/2009 and the JEV/SW/GZ/09/2004 showed 99.7% and 97.5% identity at the nucleotide level, 99.6% and 96.7% identity at the amino acid level, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the full-length genome revealed that two JEV isolates were all clustered into genotype III compared to the reference strains. Furthermore, selection analyses revealed that dominant selective pressure acting on the JEV genome was purifying selection. Four sites under positive selection were identified: codon 521 (amino acid E-227), 2296 (amino acid NS4b-24), 3048 (amino acid NS5-521) and 3055 (amino acid NS5-528). Amino acid E-227 was proved to be related to neurovirulence. Taken together, the molecular epidemiology and functional of positively selected amino acid sites of two newly JEV isolates were fully understood, which might be helpful to predict possible changes in virulence.     

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli serotypes isolated from chickens, cattle, and pigs

A total of 191 Campylobacter jejuni and 125 Campylobacter coli were isolated from the intestinal content of 398 chickens, 421 cattle, and 203 pigs. All 108 chicken isolates and 73 of 80 cattle isolates were C. jejuni, but 115 of the 118 pig isolates were C. coli. A total of 84% of the C. jejuni and 64% of the C. coli isolates were typed on the basis of thermostable antigens with 20 antisera prepared against frequently occurring serotypes in Campylobacter enteritis in man (15 C. jejuni, 6 C. coli serotypes). A total of 96% of the chicken isolates and 67% of the cattle isolates belonged to 11 C. jejuni serotypes that occur most frequently in human cases of enteritis (serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13/16, 18, 21, 23, 31, and 36). Serotype 8, a relatively common human isolate, was not recovered. The C. coli isolates from pigs belonged to serotypes uncommon among human isolates.     

从辽宁省再次分离到基因1型乙型脑炎病毒

目的 了解2007年在辽宁省分离的乙型脑炎病毒基因型别及其病毒E基因分子特征.方法2006年8月在辽宁省东港市采集蚊虫标本,利用组织培养细胞进行病毒分离,对病毒分离物进行血清学和分子生物学鉴定.结果从采集的30批,共1500只三带喙库蚊标本中分离到2株病毒,命名为LNDG07-02、LNDG07-16,经鉴定均为基因1型乙脑病毒.病毒E基因区段核苷酸和氨基酸序列与乙脑减毒活疫苗株(SA14-14-2株)的同源性分别为87.8%～88.0%和97.2%,新分离病毒E基因区段与疫苗株存在11处氨基酸位点差异,与2002年在辽宁省分离的乙脑病毒相比,未发现氨基酸位点变异.结论自2002年以来在东港市再次分离到基因1型乙脑病毒,与2002年在辽宁分离的基因1型乙脑病毒相比E基因区段氨基酸未发生变异.基因1型乙脑病毒在辽宁省东港市持续存在.     

河南省唐河县分离到基因1型乙型脑炎病毒

目的 从河南省唐河县采集的蚊虫标本中分离乙型脑炎病毒(JEV)并确定其基因分型及E基因区段氨基酸序列特征.方法对2004年采集蚊虫标本进行病毒分离,对新分离的乙脑病毒进行生物学、血清学及分子生物学鉴定.逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增新分离JEV的PrM、E区段核苷酸序列,测序后应用Clustal X软件做碱基配对分析,MEGA3.1完成病毒进化分析,GENEDOS(3.2)软件完成氨基酸位点分析.结果共采集3722只蚊虫标本,包括:库蚊、骚扰阿蚊、伊蚊及按蚊.从库蚊标本中分离到3株属于基因1型的乙脑病毒,E区段核苷酸和氨基酸与减毒活疫苗株SA14-14-2株的同源性分别为86.9%～87.7%,氨基酸同源性为95.2%～97.0%,存在12处共同的氨基酸位点差异.结论从河南省唐河县首次分离到基因1型的乙脑病毒.E基因与疫苗株相比有部分氨基酸差异,但现行疫苗株理论上可以保护新分离乙脑病毒.     

2010年福建省流行性乙型脑炎病毒监测

目的掌握福建省自然界蚊虫中乙型脑炎病毒感染率及基因型别特征。方法2010年在福建省三明市、建阳市和福州市采集蚊虫标本,研磨处理后采用乙脑病毒特异性检测引物进行分子筛查。PCR产物直接进行双向测序,应用ATGC、ClustalX（1．83）、MegAlign、GeneDoc3．2和Mega4等生物学软件完成全基因组序列拼接、比对和核苷酸与氨基酸同源性分析、系统进化分析。结果共采集6987只蚊虫标本,主要是三带喙库蚊和中华按蚊。3个监测点均检测到乙脑病毒核酸序列,三明市、建阳市和福州市蚊虫中乙脑病毒带毒率分别为1．25％、1．76％和0．65％。从建阳市采集的三带喙库蚊中扩增出1株乙脑病毒全基因序列,经鉴定所有检测到的乙脑病毒序列均属于基因I型。结论福建省自然界蚊虫中以基因I型乙脑病毒为主。     

我国新分离乙脑病毒02-76株的全基因序列特征

目的对我国新分离乙脑病毒02-76株进行全基因序列测定和分析，了解乙脑病毒基因组结构及毒力特性。方法设计乙脑病毒全基因组扩增引物，RT-PCR扩增片段，PCR产物直接测序，拼接后获得全基因序列。通过Clustal X（1．8）、DNASTAR、GENEDOC（3．2）等生物学软件进行核苷酸序列及氨基酸序列分析和病毒的系统进化分析。结果新分离乙脑病毒02．76株全基因组全长10977个核苷酸，从96位到10391位，共10296个核苷酸编码一个开放阅读框，编码3432个氨基酸。与我国1949年分离的Beijing-1株相比较共存在248个核苷酸差异，16个氨基酸差异。与GenBank中选择的29株乙脑病毒全基因序列比较发现，其核苷酸总体差异率为0．6％-15．1％，氨基酸总体差异率为0．2％-4．6％。通过PrM／C区段、E区段、3’NTR区段及全基因序列进行系统进化分析均显示该毒株属于基因3型乙脑病毒。结论新分离的乙脑病毒02-76株属于基因3型，与中国分离株SA-14进化关系最接近。     

Japanese encephalitis virus in Bangkok: factors influencing vector infections in three suburban communities.

An unexpected outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Bangkok in 1985 led us to investigate the vector ecology of urban JE from January 1986 to June 1987 at three suburban sites that displayed a wide range of factors imputed to influence JE transmission. Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles and Cx. gelidus Theobald, suspected vectors, comprised 71-96% of all mosquitoes collected by CO2-baited CDC traps at the three sites. Mean of mosquito abundance per two trap-nights per month ranged from 28 to 5,728 mosquitoes at the sites of lowest and highest abundance, respectively. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus yielded more JE isolates (n = 16) than Cx. gelidus (n = 7), but the minimum infection rates of the two species (number of JE isolates per 1,000 mosquitoes tested; MIR, 0.17 and 0.47, respectively) were comparable and covaried with vector abundance. Moreover, the proportion of sentinel pigs that had JE antibodies generally increased proportionately with vector abundance at the sites. Vector abundance was high in monsoon (May-October), moderate in transition (March-April and November-December), and low in dry (January-February) seasons. Mosquitoes collected in monsoon seasons yielded 96% of the JE isolates, whereas 4 and 0% of the isolates were obtained from transition and dry season collections, respectively. More pigs seroconverted in monsoon and transition seasons than in dry seasons. Indices of JE transmission activity (vector abundance, pig seroconversions, and MIRs) increased proportionately with rainfall. Despite higher indices at the site of greatest vector abundance than elsewhere, the risk of human infection appeared greatest at the site with moderate vector abundance because of its greatest human population density.     

四川省分离的基因1型乙型脑炎病毒分子特征分析

目的 从四川省巴中市采集的蚊虫标本中分离乙型脑炎(简称乙脑)病毒(JEV),确定其基因型别,并分析相关的基因1型乙脑病毒PrM和E基因区段氨基酸序列特征.方法 对2004年采集蚊虫标本进行病毒分离,对新分离的乙脑病毒进行生物学、血清学及分子生物学鉴定.逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增新分离JEV的PrM、E区段核苷酸序列,测序后应用Clustal X软件做碱基配对分析,MEGA4软件完成病毒进化分析,GENEDOC(3.2)软件完成氨基酸位点分析,根据蜱传脑炎病毒可溶性蛋白晶体结构为模板进行乙脑病毒E蛋白三维结构模拟预测分析.结果 共采集4668只蚊虫标本,主要是骚扰阿蚊和库蚊,分离到6株病毒,经鉴定均属于基因1型的乙脑病毒.将四川省分离的6个毒株结合我国新分离的基因1型乙脑病毒与减毒活疫苗株SA14-14-2株的PrM区段和E区段氨基酸比较,发现PrM区段在PrM2、64和65位存在基因1型乙脑病毒独有的氨基酸位点差异,E区段存在14处共同的氨基酸位点差异,其中在E129、222、327和366位点为中国目前分离到的基因1型乙脑病毒所特有的位点特征.结论 从四川省巴中市首次分离到基因1型的乙脑病毒,并发现基因1型乙脑病毒与减毒活疫苗株之间PrM、E基因区段存在氨基酸差异,但现行疫苗株理论上可以保护新分离的基因1型乙脑病毒.     

四川省分离的基因1型乙型脑炎病毒分子特征分析

目的 从四川省巴中市采集的蚊虫标本中分离乙型脑炎(简称乙脑)病毒(JEV),确定其基因型别,并分析相关的基因1型乙脑病毒PrM和E基因区段氨基酸序列特征.方法 对2004年采集蚊虫标本进行病毒分离,对新分离的乙脑病毒进行生物学、血清学及分子生物学鉴定.逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增新分离JEV的PrM、E区段核苷酸序列,测序后应用Clustal X软件做碱基配对分析,MEGA4软件完成病毒进化分析,GENEDOC(3.2)软件完成氨基酸位点分析,根据蜱传脑炎病毒可溶性蛋白晶体结构为模板进行乙脑病毒E蛋白三维结构模拟预测分析.结果 共采集4668只蚊虫标本,主要是骚扰阿蚊和库蚊,分离到6株病毒,经鉴定均属于基因1型的乙脑病毒.将四川省分离的6个毒株结合我国新分离的基因1型乙脑病毒与减毒活疫苗株SA14-14-2株的PrM区段和E区段氨基酸比较,发现PrM区段在PrM2、64和65位存在基因1型乙脑病毒独有的氨基酸位点差异,E区段存在14处共同的氨基酸位点差异,其中在E129、222、327和366位点为中国目前分离到的基因1型乙脑病毒所特有的位点特征.结论 从四川省巴中市首次分离到基因1型的乙脑病毒,并发现基因1型乙脑病毒与减毒活疫苗株之间PrM、E基因区段存在氨基酸差异,但现行疫苗株理论上可以保护新分离的基因1型乙脑病毒.     

浙江省基因Ⅰ型乙脑病毒全基因序列的测定及分析

目的 为了获得浙江省乙脑病毒基因组详尽的资料,研究基因Ⅰ型乙脑病毒的分子特征及变异程度,为乙脑病毒分子流行病学及其基因研究提供科学依据.方法 设计特异性引物、RT-PCR分段扩增XJ69和XJP613株全基因,PER产物纯化后克隆于T载体并进行序列测定.通过生物学软件进行核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列分析和病毒的系统进化分析.结果 新分离乙脑病毒XJ69和NJP613株全基因组全长均为10 964个核苷酸,含有一个开放阅读框架,编码3432个氨基酸.与GenBank中选择的32株乙脑病毒全基因序列比较发现,其核苷酸同源为83.5%～99.2%,氨基酸总体同源性为97.5%～99.7%.通过PrM/C区段、E区段及全基因序列进行系统进化分析均显示该毒株属于基因Ⅰ型乙脑病毒.结论 新分离的乙脑病毒XJ69和XJP613株属于基因Ⅰ型,与上海三带喙库蚊分离株SH17M-07关系最为接近.     

Culex annulirostris (Diptera: Culicidae) host feeding patterns and Japanese encephalitis virus ecology in northern Australia

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) transmission in northern Australia has, in the past, been facilitated by Culex annulirostris Skuse feeding on domestic pigs, the primary amplifying hosts of the virus. To further characterize mosquito feeding behavior in northern Australia, 1,128 bloodmeals from Cx. annulirostris were analyzed using a double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, Cx. annulirostris obtained > 94% of blood meals from mammals, comprising marsupials (37%), pigs (20%), dogs (16%), and cows (11%), although the proportion feeding on each of these host types varied between study locations. Where JEV activity was detected, feeding rates on pigs were relatively high. At the location that yielded the first Australian mainland isolate of JEV from mosquitoes, feral pigs (in the absence of domestic pigs) accounted for 82% of bloodmeals identified, representing the first occasion that feeding on feral pigs has been associated with JEV transmission in Australia. Interestingly, < 3% of Cx. annulirostris had fed on pigs at locations on Badu Island where JEV was detected in multiple pools of mosquitoes in a concurrent study. This suggests that either alternative hosts, such as birds, which comprised 21% of blood meals identified, or infected mosquitoes immigrating from areas where domestic pigs are housed, may have contributed to transmission at this location. Because Cx. annulirostris is both an opportunistic feeder and the primary JEV vector in the region, environmental characteristics and host presence can determine JEV transmission dynamics in northern Australia.     

Identification and characterization of the short variable region of the Japanese encephalitis virus 3′ NTR

Since the 1980s, the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) variants with slightly short variable regions (VR) of the 3′ non-translated region (NTR) have been found; however, the implications of these short VR remain unclear. We recently identified two novel types of short VR (5 and 9 nt shorter than that of major group of genotype I JEV strains) of genotype I JEV isolates. To elucidate the impact of these short VR on the replication and virulence of JEV, we generated five recombinant JEV viruses: M41-d5 and M41-d9 have deletions in the VR that correspond to those observed in some recent JEV isolates, M41-d5d9 has both the 5- and 9-nt deletions in the VR, M41-d27 has a large deletion that encompasses both the 5- and 9-nt deletion regions, and M41-a13 has a 13-nt sequence insertion of the genotype III JEV strain Beijing-1 into the parent genotype I JEV strain Mie/41/2002 genome. The recombinant viruses and the parent virus, except for the M41-d27 mutant, showed similar growth properties in mammalian and mosquito cell lines. Mouse challenge experiments indicated that no significant differences among the recombinant viruses M41-d5d9, M41-d27, M41-a13, and the parent virus. Our results suggest that the short VR in JEV 3′ NTR do not affect its growth in vitro or its pathogenicity in mice.     

Identification of Mycobacterium avium genotypes with distinctive traits by combination of IS1245-based restriction fragment length polymorphism and restriction analysis of hsp65

One-hundred eight Mycobacterium avium isolates from pigs, humans, birds, and bovines were typed by the IS1245-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method and PCR-restriction enzyme analysis (PRA) of hsp65. Nine clusters of isolates showing more than 80% similarity in their RFLP profiles were detected. The largest cluster (cluster B) included 32 of 79 pig isolates (40.5%), 3 of 25 human isolates (12%), and 1 of 2 bovine isolates, comprising 33% of all isolates. The second largest cluster (cluster A) included 18 pig isolates (22.8%) and 6 human isolates (24%). Six smaller clusters included six pig isolates (clusters C and D), four and two human isolates (clusters E and F, respectively), two pig isolates (cluster I), and two pig isolates plus one bovine isolate and the avian purified protein derivative strain (cluster H). Cluster G represented the "bird-type" profile and included the bird isolate in this series, one pig isolate, plus reference strain R13. PRA revealed four allelic variants. Seventy-seven isolates were identified as M. avium PRA variant I, 24 were identified as M. avium PRA variant II, 6 were identified as M. avium PRA variant III, and 1 was identified as M. avium PRA variant IV. Except for three isolates from cluster B, each of the RFLP clusters was associated with a single PRA pattern. Isolates with unique (nonclustered) RFLP profiles were distributed between PRA variants I and II, and there was one unique isolate of PRA variant IV. These observations are consistent with divergent evolution within M. avium, resulting in the emergence of distinct lineages with particular competence to infect animals and humans.     

Swine HEV infection in south India and phylogenetic analysis (1985-1999)

Hepatitis E is endemic in India. It was recently noted that although all the Indian human hepatitis E virus (HEV) isolates (1976-2001) were placed in genotype I, the swine HEV recovered from western India (2000) belonged to genotype IV. This was in contrast to reports from the United States and Taiwan wherein both human and swine HEV belonged to the same genotype, i.e., genotypes III and IV, respectively. In order to validate these findings further, we retrospectively examined serum samples collected from pigs from southern India. Sequential serum samples from 45 (1985-1987) and 12 (1999) pigs from Karnataka state, south India, were screened for the presence of HEV RNA (nested PCR) and IgG-anti-HEV (ELISA). PCR products (Open Reading Frame-2 region) were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. In this study, 42/45 (1985-1987) and 12/12 (1999) pigs showed seroconversion to IgG anti-HEV antibodies, with a mean age at seroconversion of 4.8 +/- 1.6 months. Four samples collected in 1999 and two samples collected during 1985 were HEV RNA positive. All swine HEV sequences clustered with genotype IV, demonstrating that swine HEV was prevalent among south Indian pigs for at least for 16 years and, similar to western India, belonged to genotype IV. Thus, genotype I and IV HEV continue to circulate in humans and pigs, respectively, from India. Whether swine HEV infects humans remains to be determined.     

Japanese encephalitis virus NS2B-NS3 protease binding to phage-displayed human brain proteins with the domain of trypsin inhibitor and basic region leucine zipper

Flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases are associated with neurovirulence, becoming an important target for insight into the virus-induced pathogenesis. In this study, a phage-displayed human brain cDNA library was used to detect possible interaction between brain proteins and the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) NS2B-NS3 protease. After six rounds of biopanning, eight high-affinity NS2B-NS3 protease-interacting phages were identified. Identified NS2B-NS3 protease-interacting brain proteins contained several repeats of the consensus motifs E(R/K)(R/K)K and G(R/K)(R/K) with the dibasic residues, being similar to the conserved cleavage sites among flavivirus proteases. In addition, three identified brain proteins (phage-24, 34, and 44) were predicted as the domain of trypsin inhibitor and basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) using the SMART genome search. Immunoprecipitation and cleavage of two brain fusion proteins (phage-24 and phage-46) by the NS2B-NS3 protease confirmed the specific interaction between identified brain proteins and the JEV NS2B-NS3 protease. Fluorogenic peptide substrate assays revealed dose-manner inhibitory effects of these two brain fusion proteins on the trans-cleavage activity of NS2B-NS3 protease. Moreover, in vitro signaling pathway assay revealed that the JEV NS2B-NS3 protease significantly inhibited the signaling pathway of activator protein 1(AP1), a member of the bZIP family. Our results provide an insight into the protein interaction network of the JEV NS2B-NS3 protease in human brain.     

四川省流行性乙型脑炎病毒优势基因型的研究

目的了解四川省乙脑主要流行区乙脑病毒的分子生物学特性,为防治提供依据。方法对2007-2010年间分离到的13株乙脑病毒进行PreM和E基因区扩增,采用MEGA5生物学软件完成氨基酸序列和病毒进化树分析。结果基因分型显示13株均属于基因I型。13株病毒之间比较,PreM基因核苷酸和氨基酸同源性为97％-100％和98．7％-100％,E基因核苷酸和氨基酸同源性为97．8％～99．9％和99．6％～100％,其同源性极高。13株病毒与2004年四川分离株比较E基因核苷酸同源性在97．7％～99．6％之间,氨基酸同源性在98．6％-100％之间;PreM基因的核苷酸同源性在96．2％-99．1％之间,氨基酸同源性在97．5％-98．7％之间;与疫苗株P3和SA14—14—2比较E基因核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为87．6％～88．3％和97％～97．8％;PreM基因核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为84．1％～85．8％和93．7％-96．2％。13株病毒E基因的8个氨基酸毒力位点均没有发生改变。结论四川省乙脑病毒已呈现基因I型为优势型别的态势,其PreM和E区核苷酸和氨基酸高度保守,关键的氨基酸毒力位点没有变化,提示目前使用的疫苗对流行株的感染具有保护作用。