Identification of a novel equine infectious anemia virus field strain isolated from feral horses in southern Japan.

Although equine infectious anemia (EIA) was described more than 150 years ago, complete genomic sequences have only been obtained from two field strains of EIA virus (EIAV), EIAV(Wyoming) and EIAV(Liaoning). In 2011, EIA was detected within the distinctive feral Misaki horse population that inhabits the Toi-Cape area of southern Japan. Complete proviral sequences comprising a novel field strain were amplified directly from peripheral blood of one of these EIAV-infected horses and characterized by nucleotide sequencing.

Bos grunniens papillomavirus type 1: a novel deltapapillomavirus associated with fibropapilloma in yak.

Papillomaviruses (PVs) have been widely identified among vertebrates, but have not yet been reported to infect yaks. We report, for the first time, a novel deltapapillomavirus that was associated with fibropapilloma in yak herds on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Six skin papilloma samples were collected and examined using histopathology, immunohistochemistry and PCR assays.

Development of a nested PCR assay to detect equine infectious anemia proviral DNA from peripheral blood of naturally infected horses.

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) has posed a major challenge and caused significant losses to the equine industry worldwide. PCR detection methods have considerable potential as an adjunct to conventional serological diagnostic techniques. However, most published PCR methods, including that recommended by the OIE, were designed using laboratory-adapted virus strains and do not function with field isolates of EIA virus (EIAV).

Adaptation of wild-type measles virus to cotton rat lung cells: E89K mutation in matrix protein contributes to its fitness.

Wild-type measles virus (wtMeV) adapted well to cotton rat lung (CRL) cells after serial passages. In order to evaluate the contributions of the individual genes of wtMeV for adaptation, whole genome sequences of the adapted and original viruses were determined and analyzed. The results showed that there were two mutations in the whole genome of the adapted virus.

Homologous recombination as an evolutionary force in the avian influenza A virus.

Avian influenza A viruses (AIVs), including the H5N1, H9N2, and H7N7 subtypes, have been directly transmitted to humans, raising concerns over the possibility of a new influenza pandemic. To prevent a future avian influenza pandemic, it is very important to fully understand the molecular basis driving the change in AIV virulence and host tropism. Although virulent variants of other viruses have been generated by homologous recombination, the occurrence of homologous recombination within AIV segments is controversial and far from proven.