Phenotypic Differences Between the Epidemic Strains of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Serotype Indiana 98COE and IN0919WYB2 Using an In-Vivo Pig () Model.

During the past 25 years, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has produced multiple outbreaks in the US, resulting in the emergence of different viral lineages. Currently, very little is known about the pathogenesis of many of these lineages, thus limiting our understanding of the potential biological factors favoring each lineage in these outbreaks. In this study, we aimed to determine the potential phenotypic differences between two VSV Indiana (VSIV) serotype epidemic strains using a pig model.

Distinguishing host responses, extensive viral dissemination and long-term viral RNA persistence in domestic sheep experimentally infected with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus Kosovo Hoti.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne, risk group 4 pathogen that often causes a severe haemorrhagic disease in humans (CCHF) with high case fatality rates. The virus is believed to be maintained in a tick-vertebrate-tick ecological cycle involving numerous wild and domestic animal species; however the biology of CCHFV infection in these animals remains poorly understood. Here, we experimentally infect domestic sheep with CCHFV Kosovo Hoti, a clinical isolate representing high pathogenicity to humans and increasingly utilized in current research.

Molecular and Pathological Characterization of Classical Swine Fever Virus Genotype 2 Strains Responsible for the 2013-2018 Outbreak in Colombia.

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. Despite mass vaccination and continuous eradication programs, CSF remains endemic in Asia, some countries in Europe, the Caribbean and South America. Since June 2013, Northern Colombia has reported 137 CSF outbreaks, mostly in backyard production systems with low vaccination coverage.

Characterization of a Novel African Swine Fever Virus p72 Genotype II from Nigeria.

African swine fever (ASF) is a high-consequence transboundary hemorrhagic fever of swine. It continues to spread across the globe causing socio-economic issues and threatening food security and biodiversity. In 2020, Nigeria reported a major ASF outbreak, killing close to half a million pigs.

Phylogenetic Inference of H3N2 Canine Influenza A Outbreak in Ontario, Canada in 2018.

The first Canadian H3N2 canine influenza A outbreak involving an Asian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) began in southwestern Ontario, Canada, in late December 2017. More H3N2 CIV cases were identified in central and eastern Ontario between March and October 2018. Based on epidemiological investigation, 5 clusters were identified (C1, C2, C3a, C3b, and C4); however, the origin of infection has only been revealed for epidemiological cluster C1.

Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Balance Influences the Virulence Phenotype of a Recombinant H5N3 Influenza A Virus Possessing a Polybasic HA0 Cleavage Site.

Unlabelled: Although a polybasic HA0 cleavage site is considered the dominant virulence determinant for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 and H7 viruses, naturally occurring virus isolates possessing a polybasic HA0 cleavage site have been identified that are low pathogenic in chickens. In this study, we generated a reassortant H5N3 virus that possessed the hemagglutinin (HA) gene from H5N1 HPAI A/swan/Germany/R65/2006 and the remaining gene segments from low pathogenic A/chicken/British Columbia/CN0006/2004 (H7N3). Despite possessing the HA0 cleavage site GERRRKKR/GLF, this rH5N3 virus exhibited a low pathogenic phenotype in chickens.

Reassortant highly pathogenic influenza A H5N2 virus containing gene segments related to Eurasian H5N8 in British Columbia, Canada, 2014.

In late November 2014 higher than normal death losses in a meat turkey and chicken broiler breeder farm in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia initiated a diagnostic investigation that led to the discovery of a novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N2 virus. This virus, composed of 5 gene segments (PB2, PA, HA, M and NS) related to Eurasian HPAI H5N8 and the remaining gene segments (PB1, NP and NA) related to North American lineage waterfowl viruses, represents the first HPAI outbreak in North American poultry due to a virus with Eurasian lineage genes. Since its first appearance in Korea in January 2014, HPAI H5N8 spread to Western Europe in November 2014.

Molecular and antigenic characterization of reassortant H3N2 viruses from turkeys with a unique constellation of pandemic H1N1 internal genes.

Triple reassortant (TR) H3N2 influenza viruses cause varying degrees of loss in egg production in breeder turkeys. In this study we characterized TR H3N2 viruses isolated from three breeder turkey farms diagnosed with a drop in egg production. The eight gene segments of the virus isolated from the first case submission (FAV-003) were all of TR H3N2 lineage.

Characterization of H1N1 swine influenza viruses circulating in Canadian pigs in 2009.

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1), of apparent swine origin, may have evolved in pigs unnoticed because of insufficient surveillance. Consequently, the need for surveillance of influenza viruses circulating in pigs has received added attention. In this study we characterized H1N1 viruses isolated from Canadian pigs in 2009.

Molecular characterization of pandemic H1N1 influenza viruses isolated from turkeys and pathogenicity of a human pH1N1 isolate in turkeys.

Suspected human-to-animal transmission of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) virus has been reported in several animal species, including pigs, dogs, cats, ferrets, and turkeys. In this study we describe the genetic characterization of pH1N1 viruses isolated from breeder turkeys that was associated with a progressive drop in egg production. Sequence analysis of all eight gene segments from three viruses isolated from this outbreak demonstrated homology with other human and swine pH1N1 isolates.

Susceptibility of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1).

Migratory birds have been implicated in the long-range spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A virus (H5N1) from Asia to Europe and Africa. Although sampling of healthy wild birds representing a large number of species has not identified possible carriers of influenza virus (H5N1) into Europe, surveillance of dead and sick birds has demonstrated mute (Cygnus olor) and whooper (C. cygnus) swans as potential sentinels.

Characterization of low-pathogenicity H5N1 avian influenza viruses from North America.

Wild-bird surveillance in North America for avian influenza (AI) viruses with a goal of early identification of the Asian H5N1 highly pathogenic AI virus has identified at least six low-pathogenicity H5N1 AI viruses between 2004 and 2006. The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes from all 6 H5N1 viruses and an additional 38 North American wild-bird-origin H5 subtype and 28 N1 subtype viruses were sequenced and compared with sequences available in GenBank by phylogenetic analysis. Both HA and NA were phylogenetically distinct from those for viruses from outside of North America and from those for viruses recovered from mammals.

Relationship between H5N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from wild and domestic ducks in British Columbia, Canada.

In the summer of 2005 a Canadian national surveillance program for influenza A viruses in wild aquatic birds was initiated. The program involved collaboration between federal and provincial levels of government and was coordinated by the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre. The surveillance plan targeted young-of-the-year Mallards along with other duck species at six sampling locations along the major migratory flyways across Canada.

The roles of national and provincial diagnostic laboratories in the eradication of highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza virus from the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada.

In February 2004 a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak erupted in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. The index farm was a chicken broiler breeder operation comprising two flocks, 24 and 52 wk of age. Birds in the older flock presented with a mild drop in egg production and a small increase in mortality.

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri associated with goat respiratory disease and high flock mortality.

A high mortality outbreak of respiratory mycoplasmosis occurred in goats in Mexico. The clinicopathologic presentation resembled contagious caprine pleuropneumonia caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae. By using a battery of polymerase chain reaction assays, the mycoplasma associated with this outbreak was identified as Mycoplasma mycoides subsp.

Intersegmental recombination between the haemagglutinin and matrix genes was responsible for the emergence of a highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza virus in British Columbia.

In February 2004 a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak erupted in British Columbia. Investigations indicated that the responsible HPAI H7N3 virus emerged suddenly from a low pathogenic precursor. Analysis of the haemagglutinin (HA) genes of the low and high pathogenic viruses isolated from the index farm revealed the only difference to be a 21 nt insert at the HA cleavage site of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.