Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in pig meat.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, caused by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), is an economically important disease in the swine industry. Previous studies demonstrated the presence of the virus in pig meat and its transmissibility by oral consumption. This study further analyzed the infectivity of PRRSV in commercial pig meat.

Single-step multiplex conventional and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays for simultaneous detection and subtype differentiation of Influenza A virus in swine.

Because pigs are considered intermediate hosts for the emergence of novel influenza virus reassortants with associated zoonotic potential, monitoring and characterization of circulating influenza viruses in pigs are important for adequate control of infection. For this, rapid molecular diagnostic methods other than immunoassays are needed. Three novel single-step multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were developed in the current study for simultaneous detection and subtype differentiation of Influenza A virus in pigs.

Gag genetic heterogeneity of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) in naturally infected horses in Canada.

Gag genetic heterogeneity of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) variants in naturally infected horses in Canada was studied since very limited information is available on the variability of EIAV Gag sequences in public database. A phylogenetic analysis based on 414nts of Gag gene sequences amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed the distinct divergence of these variants compared to other published strains in a corresponding region. Significant predicted amino acid sequence variations were also identified in an immunorelevant region within this fragment which corresponded to a previously characterized cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) epitope cluster (EC2, aa 77-119).

A simple method for screening bacterial colonies for mutagenized sites in plasmid DNA.

Because of the multiple-step process that is involved in the detection of mutagenized restriction enzyme sites in plasmid DNA, a simple and accurate method was developed to analyse the plasmid DNA of site-directed mutagenesis experiments from bacterial colonies. The desired mutated part is located between the Eco RI restriction site on pUC19. Two mutagenic primers were designed to replace only one nucleotide on segments A and B of the bi-segmented genome of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV).