Genome Characterization of a Pathogenic Porcine Rotavirus B Strain Identified in Buryat Republic, Russia in 2015.

An outbreak of enteric disease of unknown etiology with 60% morbidity and 8% mortality in weaning piglets occurred in November 2015 on a farm in Buryat Republic, Russia. Metagenomic sequencing revealed the presence of rotavirus B in feces from diseased piglets while no other pathogens were identified. Clinical disease was reproduced in experimentally infected piglets, yielding the 11 RVB gene segments for strain Buryat15, with an RVB genotype constellation of G12-P[4]-I13-R4-C4-M4-A8-N10-T4-E4-H7.

Vaccines against avian influenza in poultry.

The review presents the latest data about the types of vaccines against avian influenza that are used in current medical practice or are under development. Inactivated whole virion vaccines, live vector vaccines, as well as experimental vaccines developed using genetic engineering techniques (e.g.

[Engineering by reverse genetics and characterization of the new reassortant influenza virus strain H5N1].

Reverse genetics was applied to engineering of the reassortantvaccine candidate strain against highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of the H5 subtype. The new strain recPR8-H5N1 contains the HA gene from the Russian HPAIV A/Kurgan/05/2005 (H5N1), the NA and internal genes from A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1). The strain recPR8-H5N1 demonstrated the antigenic specificity (H5), high proliferation rate in 12 days chicken embryos, and was lethal for the embryos in 36 hours.

[Molecular-genetic analysis of the genomes of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and porcine circovirus type 2 circulating in the area of Russian Federation].

The molecular genetic analysis of the genomes of the virus of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (VPRRS) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) circulating in the area of the Russian Federation was discussed. The results of this work showed the circulation of the strains of the European genotype VPRRS similar to those found in France and Denmark from 1998 to 2001. The homology of the fragment of one of the genes between the Russian isolates and the vaccine strain Porcilis PRRS (Intervet) was found.

[African swine fever in Russian Federation].

African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease that causes high economic losses due to the necessity of depopulation of pigs in affected areas, sanitary measures, trade restrictions, etc. The virus (ASFV) is relatively stable in the unprocessed meat products and environment. Thus, large areas are at risk due to free movement of people and products.

[Epitope mapping of antigenic determinants of E2 glycoprotein from classical swine fever virus using synthetic peptides].

Epitope mapping of the major envelope glycoprotein E2 of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is important for our understanding of E2 and also for development of the CSFV-specific diagnostic assays and epitope- or peptide-based marker vaccines. Previous competitive binding studies showed that monoclonal antibodies raised against E2 protein of CSFV detected 8 individual epitopes. At the present study using a set of synthetic peptides covering the full sequences of E2 glycoprotein five linear non-overlap B-cells epitopes were identified.

[Preparation and characteristics of monoclonal antibodies to protein E2 (GP55) of classical hog cholera virus].

Twenty-eight hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to proteins of classical swine virus (CSFV) were obtained by fusion of AS2/0 murine myeloma cells with splenocytes of BALB/c mice. The recombinant E2 glycoprotein of CSFV and the gradient-purified CSFV strain Shimen were used as an antigen for immunization. Twenty-four hybridomas produced MAbs of class IgG and four hybridomas did MAbs of class IgM.

[The first break-through of the genotype 2.3.2 of high-virulence influenza A virus A/HSN1, which is new for Russia, in the Far East].

The epizootic etiologically associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 genotype 2.3.2 that is new for Russia among wild and domestic birds in the south of the Primorye Territory during spring migration in April 2008 has been decoded.

[Serological monitoring of arbovirus infections in the estuary of the Kuban River (the 2006-2007 data)].

Solid-phase enzyme immunoassay, neutralization test, and the hemagglutination-inhibition test were used to study the sera from human beings (152 samples), agricultural animals (n = 77), hares (n = 3), and wild birds (n = 69), collected in 2006-2007 in the Kuban River estuary (Temryuk District, Krasnodar Territory). There were specific antibodies against viruses of West Nile (WH), tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus), Sindbis (Togaviridae, Alphavirus), the antigenic complex of California, Batai (Bunyaviridae, Orthobunyavirus), Dhori (Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus). The findings suggest the presence of arboviruses from 6 transmitting mosquitoes and ticks in the study area and human infection by the viruses of the antigenic complex of California (20-47%), Batai (3-15%), West Nile (3-12%), Dhori (2%).

[Interpretation of the epizootic outbreak among wild and domestic birds in the south of the European part of Russia in December 2007].

The paper presents the results of interpreting the epizootic outbreak etiologically associated with high-virulent influenza virus A/H5N1 among domestic and wild birds in the Zernogradsky and Tselinsky districts of the Rostov Region. Epizooty was characterized by a high infection rate in the synanthropic birds of a ground-based complex. RT-PCT revealed influenza virus A/H5 in 60% of pigeons and crows and in around 20% of starlings, and in 10% of tree sparrows.

[Epizooty caused by high-virulent influenza virus A/H5N1 of genotype 2.2 (Qinghai-Siberian) among wild and domestic birds on the paths of fall migrations to the north-western part of the Azov Sea basin (Krasnodar Territory)].

Isolation, followed by the sequencing the full-size genome of strains of A/chicken/Krasnodarl300/07 and A/Cygnus cygnus/Krasnodar/329/07, has shown that they belong to genotype 2.2 (Qinghai-Siberian). The strains were deposited at the State Virus Collection of the Russian Federation and nucleotide consequences were at the International databank GenBank.

[Molecular genetic characteristics of the strain A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 (H5N1) strain from a epizootic focus of highly pathogenic influenza A among agricultural birds in the neear-Moscow region (February 2007)].

Among agricultural birds in the near-Moscow Region (February 2007), local epizootics caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus seem to be of unintended manual origin. Such a situation may be considered to be model when the source of inoculation is elucidated in cases of potentially possible acts of bioterrorism. Molecular genetic analysis of isolated A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 strain established its genetic similarity with the highly pathogenic strains detected in the Black-and-Caspian Sea region in 2006.

[Complex environmental and virological monitoring in the Primorye Territory in 2003-2006].

The paper presents the results of monitoring of viruses of Western Nile (WN), Japanese encephalitis (JE), tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), Geta, Influenza A, as well as avian paramicroviruses type I (virus of Newcastle disease (ND)) and type 6 (APMV-6) in the Primorye Territory in 2003-2006. Totally throughout the period, specific antibodies to the viruses were detected by neutralization test in wild birds (7.3%, WN; 8.

[Isolation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/5H5N1 strains from wild birds in the epizootic outbreak on the Ubsu-Nur Lake (June 2006) and their incorporation to the Russian Federation State Collection of viruses (July 3, 2006)].

Virological and molecular genetic studies of the field material collected in the epicenter of epizooty with high mortality rates among the wild birds on the coast of the Ubsu-Nur lake (Republic of Tyva, 51 degrees NL, 93 degrees EL, June 2006) revealed the etiological role of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. Seven HPAI/H5N1 strains were isolated from the tracheal/cloacal swabs of clinically healthy, ill and recently dead great-crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus), cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), balt-coots (Fulica atra), and common terns (Sterna hirundo) collected on June 24, 2006, and incorporated to the RF State Collection of Viruses (with the July 3, 2006 priority). Full-length genome nucleotide sequences were incorporated to the GenBank (with the July 23, 2006 priority) (DQ852600-DQ852607).

[Newcastle disease virus in the populations of wild birds in the south of the Primorye Territory in the period of autumn migrations in 2001-2004].

The paper presents the results of molecular virological monitoring of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) by reverse-polymerase chain reaction (followed by sequence of F-gene fragment 374 p.n.) and chick embryo isolation of samples from the avian cloacal swabs collected in the south of the Primorye Territory in September-October 2001-2004.

[Highly pathogenic influenza A/H5N1 virus-caused epizooty among mute swans (Cygnus olor) in the lower estuary of the Volga River (November 2005)].

Molecular virological studies of the field material collected in the epicenter of epizooty with high mortality among mute swans (Cygnus olor) in the area of the lower estuary of the Volga River (November 2005) could establish the etiological role of highly pathogenic influenza A (HPAI) virus of the subtype H5N1. Ten HPAI/H5N1 strains deposited at the State Collection of Viruses of the Russian Federation with the priority dated December 1, 2005 were isolated from the cloacal/tracheal swabs and viscera of sick and freshly died mute swans. Complete nucleotide sequences of all fragments of the genome of 6 strains have been deposited in the Gene Bank.

[Isolation of influenza A/H5N1 virus strains from poultry and wild birds in West Siberia during epizooty (July 2005) and their depositing to the state collection of viruses (August 8, 2005)].

Six strains of influenza AH5N1 virus were isolated, by using PS and MDCK continuous cell lines from poultry and wild birds, which were collected on July 28, 2005 in the samples taken from 5 examines species of wild birds in the Novosibirsk region during the epizootic outbreak with a high mortality. The strains were identified by means of HIT, RT-PCR, and microchip-based techniques. Two strains, A/Grebe/Novosibirsk/29/05 (H5N1) and A/Duck/Novosibirsk/56/05 (H5N1), were deposited to the Russian State Collection of Viruses (Registration Nos.

[West Nile virus infection of agricultural animals in the Astrakhan region, as evidenced by the 2001-2004 serological surveys].

Sera sampled from 2,884 farming animals in the Astrakhan region in 2001 to 2004 were investigated by the hemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) in order to indicate specific antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV). HIT-positive samples were investigated by the neutralization test (NT). WNV antibodies were detected in all the examined species of animals: horses (the proportion of positive tests throughout the observation averaged 9.

[Analysis of genome determinants of virulence and setting-up of a library of full-size genome copies of the attenuated virus strain of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus North American type].

Primary genome structures of 3 variants of the NADC-8 North American virulent strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) were compared for the purpose of detecting any potential genetic virulence determinants of genus Arterivirus. Apart from the virulent variant, we also investigated the attenuated variant, obtained after 251 passages in cell culture, and the intermediate variant isolated from a pig after a partial reversion of the attenuated virus. The attenuated variant genome acquired a 3-nucleotide deletion and 50 mutations versus its virulent precursor.

[Ecology and evolution of influenza viruses in Russia (1979-2002)].

The research results on ecology and evolution of influenza A viruses, which has been conducted by the Center of Ecology and Evolution of influenza Viruses of Ivanovsky's Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, for more than 30 years, are summarized in the paper. A gene pool of influenza A viruses circulating in Russia's territory was defined. Foci of influenza A viruses were detected in natural biocenosis.

[Genetic variability of the nucleocapsid protein of the virus of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome].

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a contagious viral pathology caused by PRRS virus. There are 2 types of the above virus--the European and American ones. Distribution patterns of the PRRS virus were studied for Russia and Byelorussia.

[Synthesis of recombinant proteins from the American and European viruses of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in baculovirus expression system and their antigenic properties].

The baculovirus expression system was made use of to derive the recombinant nucleocapsid (N) proteins of the American and European virus types and of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The obtained products were purified by metal-affine chromatography and their specificity was confirmed in immunechemical reactions with reference monoclonal antibodies. The antigenic activity of recombinant proteins was studied by indirect immune enzyme assay (IEA) with porcine serum, which had been in advance characterized by the "HerdCheck" kit (IDEXX Co.

Genomic characterization of virulent, attenuated, and revertant passages of a North American porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain.

Pigs were exposed to three passages of the NADC-8 strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to investigate the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic properties. Differences were found in the virulence of the three passages called virulent, intermediate, and avirulent. Avirulent virus was derived by attenuation of virulent virus in cell culture and intermediate virus was derived by passage of avirulent virus in a pig.

Molecular epidemiology of classical swine fever in the Russian Federation.

The ability to discriminate between various classical swine fever virus (CSFV) strains and isolates is a prerequisite for following the spread of the virus after an outbreak. To determine the relatedness between Russian CSFV isolates from different geographical regions, three fragments of the viral genome (5' NTR, the variable region of the E2 gene and a fragment of the NS5B gene) were sequenced and used for genetic typing. Thirty-one field isolates were obtained from CSF outbreaks which occurred between 1994 and 1999.

[Combined vaccine protecting from transmissible swine gastroenteritis].

An effective system for specific prevention of transmissive swine gastroenteritis (TSG) is based on the use of combined vaccine and combined vaccination. Combined vaccine is a lyophilized preparation for intranasal application and emulsion for intramuscular injection. The former is prepared from natural attenuated respiratory variant of TSG virus and the latter from artificially attenuated TSG virus.