RESUMO Os alfa-herpesvírus bovinos 1 e 5 (BoHV-1/5) são importantes patógenos de doença respiratória, reprodutiva e neurológica em bovinos. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a frequência de detecção de anticorpos neutralizantes contra BoHV-1/5 em amostra de soro e detectar DNA viral em sêmen de touros do rebanho bovino localizado nas fazendas de gado de corte do RS. Um total de 371 amostras de soro e sêmen foi coletado de touros em 18 fazendas, 325 das quais são provenientes de touros não vacinados e 43 de vacinados. Amostras de soro foram submetidas à técnica de vírus-neutralização (VN), enquanto as amostras de sêmen foram submetidas à extração de DNA e posterior PCR (polymerase chain reaction) para detecção de BoHV-1 e 5. Os resultados da VN demostraram que anticorpos contra BoHV-1/5 foram detectados nos touros não vacinados em 66,7% (12/18) das fazendas, 295 (79,5%) touros mostraram-se positivos para BoHV, 287 para BoHV-1 e 234 para BoHV-5; e para 43 touros vacinados, observou-se que 72,1% (31/43) foram negativos na sorologia DNA de BoHV-1/5, detectado no sêmen de três touros: um deles apresentava BoHV-1, outro BoHV-5 e em um foi detectada coinfecção por BoHV-1/5. Todas as amostras positivas para o DNA viral eram provenientes de animais que apresentavam lesões de postite e outras lesões genitais. Esses resultados demonstram que há uma alta soroprevalência de BoHV-1/5 em touros, bem como uma forte evidência de que esses vírus estão circulando ativamente no rebanho bovino dessas fazendas. Um achado interessante foi a detecção de BoHV-1 e 5 em touros com lesões na região do trato genital.

ABSTRACT Bovine alphaherpesviruses 1 and 5 (BoHV-1/5) are main pathogens of respiratory, reproductive and neurological diseases in cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of neutralizing antibodies against BoHV-1/5 in serum samples and to detect viral DNA in semen of bulls from beef cattle farms located in RS. A total of 372 serum and semen sample from bulls were collected in eighteen farms. Serum samples were submitted to virus neutralization (VN) assay, while semen samples were used to detect BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 DNA by PCR. VN results showed that BoHV-1/5 antibodies were detected in bulls of 66.7% (12/18) of the farms, 295 (79.5%) BoHV positive bulls, 287 for BoHV-1 and 234 for BoHV-; at 43 vaccinated bulls 72.1% (31/43) showing serology negative. BoHV-1/5 DNA was detected in the semen of three bulls; one of the them presenting BoHV-1, one out three presenting BoHV-5 and one BoHV-1/5.co-infection All BoHV DNA positive samples came from animals presenting posthitis and other genital lesions at sampling. Results showed a high seroprevalence of BoHV-1/5 antibodies in bulls as well as strong evidence that these viruses are actively circulating in the cattle farms. A remarkable finding is that in the presence of clinically evident lesions in the genital tract, both BoHV-1 and 5 may found in semen.

O vírus da hepatite E (HEV) é altamente disseminado entre rebanhos suínos no mundo todo. O HEV é também uma ameaça à saúde pública, já que os genótipos 3 e 4 podem causar hepatite aguda em seres humanos. Não há estudos anteriores sobre a ocorrência de HEV em amostras ambientais no Rio Grande do Sul. No presente estudo, empregou-se transcrição reversa e reação em cadeia da polimerase (RT-PCR) para detectar a presença de HEV em fezes de suínos e efluentes de lagoas de chorume em fazendas localizadas no município de Teutônia, representativo da região de maior produção de suínos no estado. Pools de amostras fecais foram coletadas a partir do chão de galpões de suínos provenientes de 9 propriedades de terminação; outra amostra de esterco líquido foi coletada das lagoas de chorume de 8 dessas fazendas. A partir das amostras fecais reunidas, 8/9 foram positivas para o gene ORF1 de HEV por PCR convencional; todas as amostras de lagoas de chorume foram positivas para RNA de HEV (100%). A identificação dos produtos de amplificação de HEV ORF1 foi confirmada por sequenciamento pertencente ao HEV genótipo 3, o qual foi previamente detectado na América do Sul.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly disseminated among swine herds worldwide. HEV is also a threat to public health, since particularly genotypes 3 and 4 may cause acute hepatitis in human beings. No previous studies were done on the occurrence of HEV in environmental samples in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In the present study, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect the presence of HEV in swine feces and in effluents from slurry lagoons in farms located in the municipality of Teutônia, inside the area of swine husbandry in the state. Pooled fecal samples from the floor of pig barns from 9 wean-to-finish farms and liquid manure samples were collected from the slurry lagoons from 8 of these farms. From the pooled fecal samples, 8/9 were positive for the HEV ORF1 gene by RT-PCR; all the slurry lagoon samples were positive for HEV RNA (100%). The identity of the HEV ORF1 amplicons was confirmed by sequencing belonging to HEV genotype 3, which was previously shown to be circulating in South America.

Bovine herpesviruses 1 (BoHV-1) and 5 (BoHV-5) share high genetic and antigenic similarities, but exhibit marked differences in tissue tropism and neurovirulence. The amino-terminal region of glycoprotein C (gC), which is markedly different in each of the viruses, is involved in virus binding to cellular receptors and in interactions with the immune system. This study investigated the genetic and antigenic differences of the 5′ region of the gC (5′ gC) gene (amino-terminal) of South American BoHV-1 (n=19) and BoHV-5 (n=25) isolates. Sequence alignments of 374 nucleotides (104 amino acids) revealed mean similarity levels of 97.3 and 94.2% among BoHV-1 gC (gC1), respectively, 96.8 and 95.6% among BoHV-5 gC (gC5), and 62 and 53.3% between gC1 and gC5. Differences included the absence of 40 amino acid residues (27 encompassing predicted linear epitopes) scattered throughout 5′ gC1 compared to 5′ gC5. Virus neutralizing assays testing BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 antisera against each isolate revealed a high degree of cross-neutralization between the viruses, yet some isolates were neutralized at very low titers by heterologous sera, and a few BoHV-5 isolates reacted weakly with either sera. The virus neutralization differences observed within the same viral species, and more pronounced between BoHV-1 and BoHV-5, likely reflect sequence differences in neutralizing epitopes. These results demonstrate that the 5′ gC region is well conserved within each viral species but is divergent between BoHV-1 and BoHV-5, likely contributing to their biological and antigenic differences.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi a clonagem das glicoproteínas transmembrana G e F de um isolado de vírus respiratório sincicial bovino (BRSV) - um isolado brasileiro denominado BRSV-25-BR- que já demonstrou possuir mutações em regiões altamente conservadas do gene da proteína G - em sistema procariótico, com o intuito de sequenciar fragmentos genômicos maiores. As substituições de nucleotídeos foram confirmadas e tais clones podem ser utilizados em futuros estudos sobre os efeitos biológicos destas proteínas tanto in vitro como in vivo.

The aim of this work was the cloning of those transmembrane glycoproteins G and F from an isolate bovine respiratory syncytial viruses (BRSV) - a Brazilian isolate of BRSV, named BRSV-25-BR in previous studies, in a prokaryotic system to proceed the sequencing of larger genomic fragments. The nucleotide substitutions were confirmed and these clones may also be used in further studies regarding the biological effects of those proteins in vitro and in vivo.

Verificou-se a incidência de herpesvírus bovinos (BoHVs) em encéfalos de bovinos submetidos ao diagnóstico de raiva no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para tanto, amostras coletadas durante dois anos (n=70) foram submetidas ao isolamento viral em cultivos celulares. Os BoHVs foram isolados em dois (2,9%) encéfalos. Após serem submetidas à caracterização antigênica e molecular, as amostras foram subtipadas como BoHV-1.1 e BoHV-1.2b. A BoHV-1.1 foi isolada de um encéfalo que foi também positivo para raiva. O vírus da raiva foi identificado em 11 amostras (15,7%). Estes achados revelam que a incidência de BoHVs em forma infecciosa em bovinos com encefalite foi baixa, embora represente 16,7% (2/12) dos encéfalos nos quais um agente viral foi identificado. Tal fato confirma a já reportada associação entre BoHV-1 e encefalites. Esse é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de BoHV-1.2b, um subtipo considerado menos patogênico, em um caso de doença neurológica em bovinos.

The incidence of bovine herpesviruses (BoHVs) was determined in brains of cattle submitted to rabies diagnosis in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Brain samples collected in a two-year interval (n=70) were submitted to virus isolation in cell culture. The BoHVs were isolated from two (2.9%) of the brains. After the antigenic and molecular characterization, the isolated strains were subtyped as BoHV-1.1 and BoHV-1.2b. The BoHV-1.1 isolate was recovered from a brain sample that was also positive for rabies. Rabies virus was identified in 11 (15.7%) samples. These findings reveal that the incidence of infectious BoHVs in brains of cattle with encephalitis was low, although these represented 16.7% (2/12) of samples from which at least one viral agent was identified. This confirms the previously reported link between BoHV-1 and bovine encephalitis. However, it is the first report on the association of BoHV-1.2b, a putatively less pathogenic BoHV subtype, with neurological disease in cattle.

This study was carried out during 2002/2003, aiming to determine the prevalence of virulent Newcastle disease virus strains (NDV) in Brazilian commercial poultry farms. Clinical samples were obtained from the Southeastern, Southern and Central-Western regions, which comprise the main area of the Brazilian poultry production. Serum samples and tracheal and cloacal swabs of 23,745 broiler chickens from 1,583 flocks, including both vaccinated chickens and those with no vaccination information, were tested for NDV using a diagnostic ELISA kit. The seropositivity was 39.1%, and the isolation percentage by flock varied from 1.0 to 7.6%, and by region from 6.5 to 58.4%. Higher isolation rates (74.3-83.3%) were obtained after three passages in embryonated chicken eggs. All isolates preliminarily identified as NDV were characterized as nonpathogenic strains, as their Intracerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) was below 0.7. Based on results of this study, Brazil can claim a virulent NDV-free status for commercial flocks.

In 2003, Brazil was recognized as a pathogenic Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) strain-free country for commercial poultry. This research was conducted in Brazil between December 2003 and March 2005 to verify the maintenance of this virulent NDV-free status. Serum samples from 5,455 flocks for commercial poultry farms were collected, comprising 81,825 broiler chickens. The farms were located in nine states of the country, grouped in three geographic regions. Serological evidence of NDV infection was detected in 28.8% of the surveyed farms. However, all fifteen viruses isolated and identified as Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) were characterized as nonpathogenic strains, based on the Intracerebral Pathogenicity Index. These results showed that Brazil preserves the virulent NDV-free status for commercial flocks.

Desenvolveu-se um teste de imunohistoquímica (IHQ) para detecção do vírus respiratório sincicial bovino (BRSV) multiplicado em cultivo celular e em tecidos de camundongos e bezerros infectados experimentalmente, utilizando um anticorpo monoclonal comercial contra o vírus respiratório sincicial humano (HRSV), como uma alternativa para eliminar os custos de produção de anticorpos monoclonais específicos para o BRSV. Amostras clínicas de bezerros com sintomatologia respiratória foram analisadas. A técnica mostrou-se eficiente na detecção de antígenos do BRSV em traquéias (3, 5 e 7 dias pós-infecção) e pulmões (5 e 7 dias pós-infecção) dos camundongos infectados e em uma das três amostras de pulmões dos bezerros infectados experimentalmente. Amostras de pulmões de dois animais com infecção natural foram positivas para BRSV. Conclui-se que o teste de IHQ pode ser usado no diagnóstico das infecções por BRSV e na avaliação da distribuição dessas infecções nos rebanhos bovinos brasileiros.

An immunoistochemical (IHC) test was developed to detect bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in cell cultures and tissues of experimentally infected mice and calves, using a commercial monoclonal antibody (Mab) against human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), as a less expensive alternative, instead of producing specific monoclonal antibodies to BRSV. Clinical samples from calves suffering respiratory disease were also submitted to this test. IHC detected BRSV antigens in mouse tracheas (3, 5 and 7 days post-infection) and lungs (5 and 7 days post-infection), and in one of three lungs from experimentally infected calves. Lungs samples from two naturally infected calves were tested and resulted positive for BRSV by the IHC test. These results suggest that this test may be used in the future for diagnosis as well as a useful tool to assess the distribution of BRSV infections in Brazilian herds.

Durante a realização de experimentos envolvendo inoculações experimentais com herpesvírus bovino tipo 5 (BoHV-5), um grupo de bovinos foi acidentalmente também inoculado com vírus da diarréia viral bovina (BVDV). Os dados obtidos nesta co-infecção foram então comparados a aqueles observados em animais inoculados exclusivamente com BoHV-5. No grupo infectado com BoHV-5 somente, dois dos seis animais inoculados mostraram sinais clínicos de moderados a graves. No grupo co-infectado com BoHV-5 e BVDV, três dos quatro animais desenvolveram doença grave, e dois deles morreram. BoHV-5 foi isolado em títulos maiores e por um período de tempo mais longo no grupo co-infectado. Os resultados sugerem que o BVDV pode exacerbar os sinais clínicos induzidos pelo BoHV-5 e, ainda, aumentou os níveis de excreção deste último.

During a series of experiments attempting to reproduce clinically apparent bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) infections, a group of calves was inadvertently infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Another group of calves was infected with BoHV-5 only. This paper reports the outcome of such infections. Two out of six calves solely infected with BoHV-5 displayed moderate to severe clinical signs. Three out of four calves of the group co-infected with BoHV-5 and BVDV developed severe clinical signs, two of them died. BoHV-5 virus was isolated to higher titres and for a longer period from the group of calves infected with both viruses. These results suggest that BVDV may enhance clinical signs induced by BoHV-5 and may also play a role in extending the period of BoHV-5 shedding.

Com o objetivo de otimizar a técnica de imunoistoquímica para detecção de herpesvírus bovino tipo 5 (BHV-5) em tecidos do sistema nervoso central fixado em formaldeído, foram avaliados diferentes métodos de digestão enzimática, diferentes anticorpos e reagentes para bloqueio de reações inespecíficas. As reações apresentaram a máxima intensidade de coloração específica e a quantidade mínima de coloração de fundo quando foram usadas protease de Streptomyces griseus (0,1%) ou proteinase K de Tritirachium album limber (0,05%), mediante incubação durante 15 minutos a 37°C. Entre os anticorpos monoclonais analisados, dois foram capazes de detectar BHV-5. As reações inespecíficas foram bloqueadas mais efetivamente pela incubação do tecido com caseína (0,5%), durante cinco minutos, ou leite em pó (2,5%), durante 60 minutos, ou soro eqüino (2,5%), durante 60 minutos. Com a técnica otimizada foi possível a detecção de BHV-5 em material de arquivo.

In order to optimize immunohistochemical technique (IHC) for detection of Bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BHV-5) on formalin-fixed sections of central nervous system, different methods of enzymatic digestion, use of different antibodies and products for blocking of nonspecific reactivity were evaluated. The reactions showed the highest intensity of specific coloration and the minimum amounts of background when protease from Streptomyces griseus (0.1%) or proteinase K from Tritirachium album limber (0.05%) were used, incubating for 15 minutes at 37°C. Only two of the tested monoclonal antibodies specifically labelled BHV-5 antigen. The nonspecific reactions were blocked through incubation of tissues with casein (0.5%) for five minutes or powdered milk (2.5%) for 60 minutes or equine serum (2.5%) for 60 minutes. The optimized immunohistochemical method allowed the detection of BHV-5 antigen in histopathological archives.

O perfil antigênico de 45 herpesvírus (44 de bovinos, sendo seis amostras de referência de BHV-1 e 15 prováveis BHV-1; três amostras de referência de BHV-5 e 20 prováveis BHV-5) e uma amostra de herpesvírus bubalino (BuHV) foi examinado com um painel de anticorpos monoclonais (Acms) produzidos contra antígenos de herpesvírus bovinos. Para os exames, foi utilizada a prova de imunoperoxidase (IPX) sobre cultivos de células infectadas, tendo os Acms como anticorpos primários. A determinação dos padrões de reatividade das amostras de vírus frente aos Acms permitiu a diferenciação entre os tipos 1 e 5. Todas as amostras isoladas de casos de encefalite apresentaram perfil de BHV-5. Quatro amostras de BHV-5 isoladas de áreas geograficamente distintas apresentaram perfís de reatividade diferenciados em relação às demais amostras do tipo 5. Duas amostras de vírus com perfil antigênico de BHV-5 foram isoladas de sêmen de animais infectados. Estes resultados comprovam a utilidade da caracterização antigênica com este painel de Acms na tipagem de amostras de BHV-1 e BHV-5.

The antigenic profile of 45 herpesviruses (44 viruses from cattle, including six reference BHV-1 strains and 15 putative BHV-1; three reference BHV-5 strains and 20 putative BHV-5) and one buffalo isolate (BuHV) were examined with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) prepared against bovine herpesvirus antigens. Tests were performed by immunoperoxidase (IPX) on infected cell cultures, with the Mabs as primary antibodies. Immunostaining allowed the differentiation between types 1 and 5 viruses. All isolates from cases of encephalitis displayed BHV-5 profiles. Four BHV-5 isolates obtained from geographically distinct areas displayed different and highly variable IPX patterns of reactivity. Two viruses with BHV-5 antigenic profile were isolated from semen of asymptomatic bulls. The results showed that the antigenic characterization with the Mab panel employed here is useful for typing BHV-1 and BHV-5 isolates.