He Sun , Yuchang Liu , Xinyu Yang , Wenzhen Qin , Xiaoxiao Lu , Yizhen Wang , Wu Tong , Hai Yu , Hao Zheng , Guangzhi Tong , Tongling Shan , Ning Kong
{"title":"Bovine coronavirus Nsp14 protein promotes viral replication by degrading TRAF3 to inhibit interferon production","authors":"He Sun , Yuchang Liu , Xinyu Yang , Wenzhen Qin , Xiaoxiao Lu , Yizhen Wang , Wu Tong , Hai Yu , Hao Zheng , Guangzhi Tong , Tongling Shan , Ning Kong","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110708","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110708","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine coronavirus (BCoV), a member of the <em>Betacoronavirus</em> genus, causes severe calf gastroenteritis and respiratory disease, resulting in a significant loss of livestock. Coronavirus non-structural protein 14 (nsp14) is involved in viral RNA replication and modification and subverts host immune regulatory pathways to facilitate immune evasion. In this study, we demonstrated that BCoV nsp14 mediates TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) degradation through the coordinated targeting of the ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy-lysosomal pathways, thereby potentiating viral replication. During autophagic degradation, nsp14 recruits and interacts with the E3 ubiquitin ligase STUB1 to ubiquitinate the TRAF3 protein. This ubiquitinated TRAF3 is then recognized and delivered via the cargo receptor Tollip for autophagic degradation. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of STUB1 or Tollip inhibited selective autophagic flux, increased the steady-state levels of TRAF3, and prevented nsp14-mediated TRAF3 degradation. Overall, we describe a new mechanism related to BCoV-mediated IFN-β suppression to promote viral replication and provided a rationale for developing therapies that target the nsp14-TRAF3 axis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"310 ","pages":"Article 110708"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wenjun Li , Shuaiwei Ge , Yong Liu , Hao Li , Hexiang Huang , Chunyan Xu , Chenglong Li , Xiang-Dang Du , Yanhong Shang , Hong Yao
{"title":"Characterization of lincomycin resistance gene lnu(C)-carrying Campylobacter jejuni","authors":"Wenjun Li , Shuaiwei Ge , Yong Liu , Hao Li , Hexiang Huang , Chunyan Xu , Chenglong Li , Xiang-Dang Du , Yanhong Shang , Hong Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110707","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110707","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lincomycin is a key veterinary antibiotic for preventing and treating livestock and poultry diseases. <em>Campylobacter jejuni</em>, a major foodborne pathogen, causes diarrhea in animals and gastroenteritis in humans. We previously identified the resistance gene <em>lnu</em>(C) in <em>C. coli</em>. However, lincosamide resistance in <em>C. jejuni</em> remains poorly characterized. This study analyzed a total of 141 <em>lnu</em>(C)-positive <em>C. jejuni</em> strains (from GenBank and our laboratory) and revealed their global distribution, primarily from food animals, food, and humans, with China accounting for 46.1 % (65/141) of isolates. MLST analysis identified 44 distinct sequence types associated with <em>lnu</em>(C) dissemination, with ST573 emerging as the predominant genotype, indicating that <em>lnu</em>(C)-positive <em>C. jejuni</em> strains have the potential for horizontal and clonal transmission. Whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (Wg-MLST) analysis further revealed close genomic relationships among <em>lnu</em>(C)-positive <em>C. jejuni</em> isolates. In addition, 24 genetic environments among <em>lnu</em>(C)-positive <em>C. jejuni</em> isolates, with the MTn<em>Sag1</em>-like transposon [<em>insLNU</em>-<em>lnu</em>(C)] representing both the most prevalent and most broadly distributed genetic context across geographical regions and host species. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of <em>lnu</em>(C) gene distribution, elucidating horizontal transferability and regional clonal expansion patterns. The genetic relatedness of <em>lnu</em>(C)-positive <em>C. jejuni</em> strains across poultry, food, and human sources highlights significant zoonotic transmission potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"310 ","pages":"Article 110707"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145046537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhanced detection of Leptospira in cattle: Comparative performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification, polymerase chain reaction and serological methods.","authors":"Micaela Hamer, Vanina Saraullo, Micaela Esteban, Cristina Sanchez, Bibiana Brihuega, Mara Leila Martinez","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110662","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) in detecting Leptospira DNA in bovine samples compared to conventional lipL32 PCR and serological methods. A total of 464 serum, 96 urine, and 31 organ samples were analyzed using LAMP, lipL32 PCR, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The results showed that 52.8 % of sera tested positive exclusively by MAT, indicating past exposure, while 1.2 % tested positive by molecular techniques, suggesting early infection. In urine samples, LAMP detected leptospiral DNA in 62.5 % of cases, highlighting its potential for identifying asymptomatic carriers. Among organ samples from aborted fetuses, 22.6 % were positive by both molecular techniques, supporting Leptospira as a potential cause of fetal loss. Notably, LAMP exhibited a high diagnostic sensitivity (100 %, 95 % CI: 93.5-100 %) and specificity (95.4 %, 95 % CI: 93.2-97.0 %), outperforming lipL32 PCR in DNA detection. Additionally, Cohen's Kappa index (0.792) indicated substantial agreement between LAMP and lipL32 PCR. Given its higher sensitivity, rapid turnaround, and affordability, LAMP represents a valuable tool for improving leptospirosis diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited settings. These findings underscore the importance of integrating molecular and serological techniques for a more accurate detection of Leptospira infection in cattle.</p>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"308 ","pages":"110662"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yu Xia , Jiaxin Yuan , Tianci Liu , Ruihua Zhang , Caixia Wu , Nana Sui , Longfei Li , Tong Xu
{"title":"TRPM2 knockdown alleviated H9N2 influenza virus infected ferroptosis in mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells","authors":"Yu Xia , Jiaxin Yuan , Tianci Liu , Ruihua Zhang , Caixia Wu , Nana Sui , Longfei Li , Tong Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>H9N2 influenza virus, a prevalent influenza A virus, causes acute lung injury through mitochondrial damage associated with oxidative stress. Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a Ca<sup>2</sup><sup>+</sup> permeable non-selective cation channel that can trigger oxidative stress via Ca<sup>2+</sup> overload. Excessive ROS generation leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid peroxides accumulation, contributing to ferroptosis. However, it remains unclear whether H9N2 virus infection can trigger ferroptosis in mouse lungs and its relationship with TRPM2. Therefore, this study investigates the protective effect of TRPM2 knockdown against lung injury infected by H9N2 virus and explores its potential molecular mechanisms, with a particular focus on its association with ferroptosis. <em>In vitro</em>, we infected mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) with H9N2 virus, or/and transfected them with siTRPM2 at 80 nM. Our findings revealed that TRPM2 knockdown significantly reduced Ca<sup>2+</sup> overload and ROS generation, and upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). This intervention also alleviated mitochondrial damage and maintained mitochondrial dynamics balance. H9N2 virus infection disrupted the Glutathione/Glutathione oxidized (GSH/GSSG) system and increased lipid peroxidation-related factors (Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 [LPCAT3] and Acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 [ACSL4]), which were mitigated by TRPM2 knockdown. Additionally, TRPM2 ablation reduced Fe<sup>2+</sup> intensity and the expression levels of iron metabolism-related factors (Transferrin [TF] and Transferrin receptor [TFR]). In conclusion, TRPM2 knockdown inhibited H9N2 virus-induced ferroptosis by mitigating Ca<sup>2+</sup> overload, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, GSH/GSSG system imbalance, lipid peroxidation, and iron metabolism imbalance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"310 ","pages":"Article 110703"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144933826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Veterinary microbiologyPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110659
Yangkun Liu, Zhen Bi, Xingxing Cai, Xueying Han, Lunguang Yao
{"title":"Chimeric hepatitis B core virus-like particles displaying the receptor-binding domain of porcine deltacoronavirus elicit protective immunity in piglets.","authors":"Yangkun Liu, Zhen Bi, Xingxing Cai, Xueying Han, Lunguang Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As an emerging porcine enteric coronavirus, porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) poses a serious threat to the swine industry and has the potential to infect humans. Thus, the development of effective vaccines is crucial for the prevention and control of PDCoV. In this study, RBD-HBc chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) were accomplished by inserting the receptor binding domain (RBD) of PDCoV spike protein into the major immunodominant region of the truncated hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc; amino acids 1-149), and the protective efficacy of RBD-HBc chimeric VLPs was evaluated in piglets. Compared to the RBD protein, RBD-HBc chimeric VLPs induced higher levels of PDCoV-specific sIgA, neutralizing antibodies, and increased the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4. Furthermore, virus challenge tests demonstrated that RBD-HBc chimeric VLPs effectively reduced virus shedding and alleviated pathological damage. These data indicate that RBD-HBc chimeric VLPs is a promising vaccine candidate for combating PDCoV infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"308 ","pages":"110659"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Veterinary microbiologyPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-08-07DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110660
Wenjing Qi, Huasong Chang, Rukun Yang, Hongmei Wang, Hongbin He
{"title":"Viral infection-induced CD97 upregulation facilitates viral invasion by interacting with viral proteins.","authors":"Wenjing Qi, Huasong Chang, Rukun Yang, Hongmei Wang, Hongbin He","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110660","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Virus-host interactions are crucial for regulating viral replication. While some interactions can suppress viral spread, others may promote it, and their underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report that infection with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) or bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) upregulates the transcriptional expression of Cluster of Differentiation 97 (CD97). We identified the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), which is elevated during BoHV-1, BEFV, or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection, as a key regulator of CD97 induction. Furthermore, CD97 was found to interact with BoHV-1-US4, BEFV-G1, and VSV-G, and to promote viral replication by enhancing viral adsorption and entry. These findings elucidate a previously unrecognized mechanism through which viruses exploit CD97 to facilitate host invasion, offering new insights into virus-host interactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"308 ","pages":"110660"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Veterinary microbiologyPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110658
Xiaoting Zhang, Wenqing Ma, Hongbin He, Hongmei Wang
{"title":"Sec6 suppresses BEFV-triggered type I IFN responses by promoting P62-mediated MAVS degradation.","authors":"Xiaoting Zhang, Wenqing Ma, Hongbin He, Hongmei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110658","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sec6 is one of the eight subunits of the exocyst complex, playing a specific role in cell-cell adhesion and vesicle trafficking. However, its role in the replication of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) and the antiviral innate immune response has remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that Sec6 inhibits the BEFV-triggered type I IFN (IFN-I) signaling response and promotes viral replication. Further research revealed that Sec6 degrades mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) through the autophagy pathway. Mechanistically, Sec6 promotes the association between autophagy receptor P62 and MAVS, enhancing autophagy degradation of MAVS. Silencing Sec6 inhibits the interaction between MAVS and P62. In addition, Sec6 failed to degrade MAVS in P62-knockdown cells, resulting in the loss of its ability to suppress IFN-I signaling and enhance viral replication. This study reveals a previously unrecognized role of Sec6 in modulating the antiviral innate immunity and its impact on BEFV replication.</p>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"308 ","pages":"110658"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DengShuai Zhao , Ping Li , Junyan Fu , YuanHang Zhang , MiaoMiao Zhang , TianYu Wang , DiXi Yu , Han Gao , LiMei Qin , MengMeng Zhao , Feng Wen , ShengFeng Chen , XiaoShu Zhan , KeShan Zhang , HuiYing Fan
{"title":"Identification and characterization of the first G8P[1] sheep rotavirus strain in China: Genetic similarity to human rotavirus and zoonotic potential","authors":"DengShuai Zhao , Ping Li , Junyan Fu , YuanHang Zhang , MiaoMiao Zhang , TianYu Wang , DiXi Yu , Han Gao , LiMei Qin , MengMeng Zhao , Feng Wen , ShengFeng Chen , XiaoShu Zhan , KeShan Zhang , HuiYing Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110711","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rotavirus (RV) is a major cause of gastroenteritis in both humans and many mammals, including livestock. However, information regarding RV in sheep remains limited, particularly in China. This study reports the first isolation and characterization of the G8-P[1]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A11-N2-T6-E2-H3 type sheep RV strain (GS13) in China. Anal swab and small intestinal tissue samples were collected from clinically diarrheic sheep, and RV was detected via PCR and immunohistochemistry. The virus was successfully isolated using MA-104 cells, with transmission electron microscopy revealing \"wheel-shaped\" particles of 70–80 nm in diameter. The GS13 strain showed 98.61 %, 97.14 %, 97.09 %, and 96.76 % nucleotide similarity in the <em>VP6, NSP1</em>, <em>NSP2</em>, and <em>NSP4</em> genes with human RV strains, and phylogenetic analysis placed both strains in the same branch. Pathogenicity testing in suckling mice demonstrated significant diarrhea, highlighting the potential zoonotic risk of this strain. These findings provide critical insights into the genetic identity, pathogenicity, and human infectious potential of sheep RV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"310 ","pages":"Article 110711"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144989644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation of Chlamydia pecorum in yaks from Qinghai reveals high genetic diversity among the strains","authors":"Donghui Zhang , Xiaomin Wu , Lin Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Chlamydia pecorum</em> (<em>C. pecorum</em>), an obligate intracellular, gram-negative bacterium, causes endemic infections in livestock. However, data on the strain diversity of <em>C. pecorum</em> infecting yaks in Qinghai, China, remain limited. In this study, we aimed to assess the genetic diversity of <em>C. pecorum</em> in yaks from Qinghai. A total of 1564 rectal swabs were collected from yaks, and <em>C. pecorum</em> DNA was detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Positive samples were further analyzed by omp<em>A</em> sequence, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) targeting seven housekeeping genes (<em>gatA</em>, <em>oppA</em>, <em>hftX</em>, <em>gidA</em>, <em>enoA</em>, <em>hemN</em>, and <em>fumC</em>). The results showed an overall prevalence of <em>C. pecorum</em> of 11.4 % (178/1564) in the sampled yaks. The omp<em>A</em> sequence of <em>C. pecorum</em> obtained demonstrated substantial genetic diversity. Four novel sequence types (STs) ST381, ST385, ST386, and ST376, were identified, with ST381, ST385, and ST386 reported for the first time. The strains formed three primary clonal complexes centered around ST63, ST69, and ST376, along with minor branches and independent lineages. This study confirms the widespread prevalence and high genetic diversity of <em>C. pecorum</em> among yaks in Qinghai. These findings provide critical molecular insights for regional pathogen surveillance and control strategies, and expand the global genomic database of <em>C. pecorum</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"310 ","pages":"Article 110706"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144989547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Manabu Nemoto , Nanako Kawanishi , Ryutaro Kamei , Kotaro Furusho , Kyoko Kawauchi , Yukiko Yabuuchi , Yasuhiro Oue , Yuko Uchida , Hayate Nishiura , Stephanie E. Reedy , Thomas M. Chambers , Feng Li , Hiroshi Bannai , Takashi Yamanaka , Koji Tsujimura
{"title":"Genetic and serological analyses of equine influenza viruses isolated in Kumamoto and Hokkaido, Japan in 2025","authors":"Manabu Nemoto , Nanako Kawanishi , Ryutaro Kamei , Kotaro Furusho , Kyoko Kawauchi , Yukiko Yabuuchi , Yasuhiro Oue , Yuko Uchida , Hayate Nishiura , Stephanie E. Reedy , Thomas M. Chambers , Feng Li , Hiroshi Bannai , Takashi Yamanaka , Koji Tsujimura","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110701","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110701","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In April and May 2025, outbreaks of equine influenza occurred for the first time in 17 years in Japan. Equine influenza virus (EIV) of the H3N8 subtype was mainly detected in heavy draft horse populations in Kumamoto Prefecture and the Tokachi area of Hokkaido. In total, 10 EIVs were isolated from infected horses and then were used for genetic and serological analyses. Phylogenetic analysis of all eight genes revealed that all Japanese isolates were clustered with the Florida sublineage clade 1 (Fc1) viruses and were closely related to North American Fc1 viruses detected in 2024–2025. The results suggest that the epidemic virus was introduced from North America to Japan. The high sequence identity across all eight genes in these Japanese isolates indicates that EIVs from a common origin spread in Kumamoto Prefecture and the Tokachi area of Hokkaido. These two places are separated by a straight-line distance of approximately 1500 km, but draft horses are regularly transported between the two places and infected horses may have moved before movement restrictions were imposed. The virus neutralization assay showed that the horse antisera against A/equine/South Africa/4/2003 (a Fc1 vaccine strain recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health) and A/equine/Ibaraki/1/2007 (a Fc1 vaccine strain in Japan) cross-neutralized well with two viruses isolated in Kumamoto Prefecture and the Tokachi area of Hokkaido in 2025. This suggests that the current Fc1 vaccine strains are effective against the epidemic Fc1 isolates in Japan in 2025.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"310 ","pages":"Article 110701"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144933824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}