Virology Journal最新文献

{"title":"Revolutionizing immunization: a comprehensive review of mRNA vaccine technology and applications.","authors":"Kai Yuan Leong, Seng Kong Tham, Chit Laa Poh","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02645-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02645-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have emerged as a transformative platform in modern vaccinology. mRNA vaccine is a powerful alternative to traditional vaccines due to their high potency, safety, and efficacy, coupled with the ability for rapid clinical development, scalability and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing. Initially conceptualized in the 1970s, the first study about the effectiveness of a mRNA vaccine against influenza was conducted in 1993. Since then, the development of mRNA vaccines has rapidly gained significance, especially in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Their unprecedented success during the COVID-19 pandemic, as demonstrated by the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, highlighted their transformative potential. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mRNA vaccine technology, detailing the structure of the mRNA vaccine and its mechanism of action in inducing immunity. Advancements in nanotechnology, particularly lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as delivery vehicles, have revolutionized the field. The manufacturing processes, including upstream production, downstream purification, and formulation are also reviewed. The clinical progress of mRNA vaccines targeting viruses causing infectious diseases is discussed, emphasizing their versatility and therapeutic potential. Despite their success, the mRNA vaccine platform faces several challenges, including improved stability to reduce dependence on cold chain logistics in transport, enhanced delivery mechanisms to target specific tissues or cells, and addressing the risk of rare adverse events. High costs associated with encapsulation in LNPs and the potential for unequal global access further complicate their widespread adoption. As the world continues to confront emerging viral threats, overcoming these challenges will be essential to fully harness the potential of mRNA vaccines. It is anticipated that mRNA vaccines will play a major role in defining and shaping the future of global health.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11900334/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143617151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization and genomic analysis of Sharanji: a jumbo bacteriophage of Escherichia coli.","authors":"Sharayu Magar, Sivaraj Barath, Debmitra Sen, Ranjith Kumar Singari, T Nagarajan, Anjali Parmar, Sutharsan Govindarajan","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02646-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02646-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bacteriophages are the most genetically diverse biological entities in nature. Our current understanding of phage biology primarily stems from studies on a limited number of model bacteriophages. Jumbo phages, characterized by their exceptionally large genomes, are less frequently isolated and studied. Some jumbo phages exhibit remarkable genetic diversity, unique infection mechanisms, and therapeutic potential.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we describe the isolation of Sharanji, a novel Escherichia coli jumbo phage, isolated from chicken feces. The phage genome was sequenced and analyzed extensively through gene annotation and phylogenetic analysis. The jumbo phage was phenotypically characterized through electron microscopy, host range analysis, and survival at different pH and temperatures, and one-step growth curve assay. Finally, Sharanji mediated infection of E. coli is studied through fluorescence microscopy, to analyze its mechanism of infection compared to well-studied nucleus-forming jumbo phages.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Whole genome sequencing reveals that Sharanji has a genome size of 350,079 bp and is a phage encompassing 593 ORFs. Genomic analysis indicates that the phage belongs to the Asteriusvirus genus and is related to E. coli jumbo phages PBECO4 and 121Q. Phenotypic analysis of isolated phage Sharanji, indicates that the phage size is 245.3 nm, and it is a narrow-spectrum phage infecting E. coli K12 strains, but not other bacteria including avian pathogenic E. coli. Infection analysis using microscopy shows that Sharanji infection causes cell filamentation. Furthermore, intracellular phage nucleus-like structures were not observed in Sharanji-infected cells, in contrast to infection by ΦKZ-like jumbo phages.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study reports the isolation and characterization of Sharanji, one of the large E. coli jumbo phages. Both genotypic and phenotypic analyses suggest that Sharanji serves as a unique model system for studying phage-bacteria interactions, particularly within the context of non-nucleus-forming jumbo phages. Further exploration of jumbo phages holds promise for uncovering new paradigms in the study of microbial viruses.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11895373/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143597643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study on the clinical characteristics, persistent infection capability, and viral load of human papillomavirus type 82 single infection.","authors":"Zuyi Chen, Qichen Cheng, Xinyue Zhang, Feng Tao, Nana Li, Ganglin Liu, Xuejiao Mu, Mei Zhang, Zeling Dong, Qiongyao Li","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02688-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02688-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a key factor in the development of cervical cancer and HPV genotyping is crucial for screening. There are significant differences in the pathogenic potential of the various HPV types. Currently, clinical data on HPV82 are scarce, and the relationship between its viral load, pathogenicity, and persistence is unknown. This study analyzed the characteristics of HPV82 single infection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cervical samples were collected to determine the positivity rate of HPV82 and its clinical features in a single infection and examined the association between viral load, persistent infection, and pathogenicity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The positive rate of HPV82 among women attending hospitals for gynecological physical examination or medical consultation was approximately 0.24% (1,033/435,072). Among 335 cases of HPV82 single infection, the number of patients with lesion-free tissue biopsy results, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, CIN2, CIN3, and cervical cancer were 263, 42, 11, 18, and one, respectively. A follow-up of 210 patients showed that 21.21% (7/33) of patients with CIN1 progressed to high-grade lesions, whereas 7.34% (13/177) of lesion-free patients progressed to CIN. The viral load in the CIN and cervical cancer group was significantly higher than that in the lesion-free group (p < 0.001), and the viral load in the persistent infection group was higher than that in the viral clearance group (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The pathogenicity of single HPV82 infection ranks in the middle among high-risk HPV types, and it can lead to cervical cancer, warranting the inclusion of HPV82 in expanded screening for HPV. High viral load is a significant factor that improves the persistent infection ability and pathogenicity of HPV82. Viral load is expected to serve as a screening risk factor for persistent infection and disease progression associated with HPV82.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"68"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11895316/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143597724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-27P28 rs153109 and IFITM3 rs12252 on susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 in Egyptian patients: a case control study.","authors":"Hanan Hamdy, Reem H Elhamammy, Manal Abdelmageed, Ahmed Wahid","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02668-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02668-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is a huge global health threat. Interleukin27 (IL-27) gene is a cytokine that produces antiviral proteins in an IFN-independent manner and stimulates both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. Interferon induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) inhibits SARS-CoV2 infection by blocking SARSCoV-2 spike proteins which facilitate viral entrance and cell-to-cell fusion. The association between genetic variants and COVID-19 in Egyptians is still unclear. Hence, we sought to investigate the impact of the single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-27P28 rs153109 and IFITM3 rs12252 on the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 in Egyptian patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Our study included 242 SARS-CoV-2 patients were recruited from Main University Hospital, Alexandria University, Egypt, and 187 healthy controls. We subdivided the patient group into two subgroups: group A comprised mild/moderate cases (N = 42) (17.4%), and group B included severe/critical cases (N = 200) (82.6%). Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples using the QIAamp DNA Blood Mini kit, then the PCR products of IL27 and IFITM3 were cut by FastDigest XhoI and MScI, respectively, for detection of SNPs of IL-27P28 rs153109 (-964A/G) and IFITM3 rs12252 (T>C).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The present study found a significant association between IL27 rs153109 (-964A/G) and SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility after adjusting for the risk factor (advanced age), IL27 rs153109 (-964A/G) AG genotype (OR = 2.791, 95% CI: 1.237-6.295, P = 0.013), AA genotype (OR = 2.385, 95% CI: 1.075-5.291, P = 0.033), and (AG+AA vs. GG) genotypes (OR = 2.558, 95% CI: 1.186-5.517, P = 0.017). On the other hand, the IFITM3 rs12252(T>C) CT genotype (OR = 1.419, 95% CI: 0.843-2.391, P = 0.188), CC genotype (OR = 2.132, 95% CI: 0.436-10.415, P = 0.350), and (C/T+C/C vs. TT) genotypes (OR = 1.466, 95% CI: 0.884-2.432, P = 0.138) did not show a statistically significant association with either susceptibility or the severity of SARS-CoV-2.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>IL27P28 rs153109 AG and AA genotypes of IL27 may be associated with the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection but not the severity. Concerning the IFITM3 rs12252 SNP, we could not confirm its influence on either susceptibility or the severity of SARS-CoV-2 in this Egyptian population.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"66"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11889743/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity with a non-nucleoside mode of action.","authors":"Kyung-Lee Yu, YoungHyun Shin, Dong-Eun Kim, Jeong-Ah Kim, Jeong-Eun Kang, Pooja Singh, Keun Woo Lee, Chul Min Park, Hojin Kwon, Sunwoo Kim, Songmee Bae, Cheol-Hee Yoon","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02680-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02680-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a major global health problem. Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) successfully expands the lifespan of HIV-1-infected patients, long-term cART often increases drug resistance and adverse effects. Therefore, efforts are ongoing to develop novel anti-HIV-1 drugs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The anti-HIV-1 activities of compounds were investigated using TZM-bl reporter cell line, A3.01 T cell line, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with several HIV-1 strains, including wild type and drug-resistance associated mutants. Next-generation sequencing analysis and in silico molecular docking studies were employed to determine the mode of action of the compound.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified a small-molecule inhibitor consisting of a thiadiazole core appended to two pyrazoles (BPPT), which exerted a highly potent inhibitory effect on HIV-1 infectivity, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 60 nM, without causing cytotoxicity. In experiments with various HIV-1 strains and cell types, the potency of BPPT was found to be comparable to that of commercial antiretroviral agents (azidothymidine, nevirapine, and others). Further analysis of the mode of action demonstrated that BPPT is a novel type of HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Analysis of viruses harboring drug-resistance-associated mutations showed that BPPT was potent against G190A (C or S) mutations in reverse transcriptase (RTase), exhibiting high-level resistance to other NNRTIs. Next-generation sequencing analysis of long-term treatment with BPPT displayed an RTase mutation profile different from that in the case of established NNRTIs. Given these data, in silico molecular docking studies demonstrated the molecular mechanism underlying the BPPT-mediated inhibition of RTase.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our data suggest that BPPT is a novel small-molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 RTase and could serve as a promising chemical scaffold to complement or replace conventional treatments, particularly for overcoming resistance associated with the G190 mutation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"65"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11887385/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Selection and identification of an ssDNA aptamer against influenza B virus hemagglutinin protein.","authors":"Xing Lu, Weifeng Li, Ping Li, Yongqiang Li, Yanni Gou, Tao Wang, Zhifeng Liu, Yuting Wu","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02657-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02657-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The influenza virus causes infectious respiratory disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Influenza B typically goes unnoticed owing to its mild clinical symptoms and limitations. However, its increasing prevalence in recent years poses a significant health burden. Consequently, current diagnostic methods for the detection of influenza B virus are inadequate, highlighting the urgent need to develop accurate and sensitive techniques for early disease diagnosis. Aptamers, single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA), or ribonucleic acid molecules primarily rely on their secondary structures, such as stem-loops and hairpins, to bind efficiently and specifically to the target through base complementary pairing, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces. Aptamers are superior to antibodies in their ability to bind targets. The objective of this study was to identify and develop aptamers against the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza B virus.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An enriched DNA library with strong binding to the influenza B virus HA protein was obtained using magnetic bead systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment technology after nine rounds of selection. Five candidate aptamers were identified by high-throughput sequencing. The aptamers were characterized using surface plasmon resonance and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, and the aptamer exhibiting the highest affinity and specificity for the target protein was selected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We screened and characterized five ssDNA aptamer sequences that bind to influenza B virus HA. Among these, aptamer sequence A573 exhibited the highest sensitivity and binding affinity for the target protein.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The novel aptamer sequences selected in this study have the potential to be used as biorecognition molecules for the development of aptamer sensors to detect influenza B virus.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"64"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11887071/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time quantitative pcr for simultaneous detection of kobuvirus, parechovirus B, rosavirus B, and hunnivirus carried by murine rodents and shrews.","authors":"Shunchang Fan, Minyi Zhang, Yucheng Li, Jingli Tian, Juxian Xian, Qing Chen","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02671-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02671-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Picornaviruses, common infectious agents in humans and various animal species, pose significant health threats. Conventional monoplex PCR is widely employed in laboratory diagnostics but is relatively time-intensive and laborious.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, we developed a multiplex TaqMan probe-based real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the rapid and simultaneous detection of kobuvirus, parechovirus B, rosavirus B and hunnivirus in murine rodent and shrew samples. The approach demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, with detection limits of 1 × 10² copies/µL for kobuvirus, parechovirus B, and rosavirus B, and 50 copies/µL for hunnivirus. Evaluation using 149 clinical samples showed strong concordance with conventional PCR methods.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This work developed an effective multiplex qPCR method for the simultaneous detection of emerging picornaviruses particularly in rodents, including kobuvirus, parechovirus B, rosavirus B, and hunnivirus. Our findings contribute valuable insights into the monitoring and prevention of zoonotic diseases associated with these pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"61"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11883910/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143573988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antiviral treatment for viral pneumonia: current drugs and natural compounds.","authors":"Hao Zhang, Chunxia Ge, David Fisher, Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Erkin Musabaev, Khrystyna Pronyuk, Yin Xia, Zhide Zhu, Yan Wang, Yiping Dang, Lei Zhao","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02666-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02666-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, viral pneumonia has become a significant challenge to global public health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Viral pneumonia can be caused by various viruses, including influenza virus, RSV, and adenovirus. These viruses trigger inflammatory responses by invading the respiratory epithelial cells, leading to lung damage. Existing antiviral drugs such as ribavirin, adobiravir, and oseltamivir exert their therapeutic effects by inhibiting different stages of the viral life cycle but face issues such as increasing drug resistance. Natural components like astragalus saponins, Houttuynia cordata flavonoids, and tea theaflavin-gallates have demonstrated supportive roles in antiviral treatments, capable of not only enhancing immune responses but also potentially inhibiting viral replication through multiple pathways, thereby alleviating lung damage. Although natural components cannot entirely replace traditional antiviral drugs, their role in comprehensive treatment regimens is becoming increasingly important. This review summarizes the current applications and limitations of antiviral drugs and explores the research progress and potential mechanisms of natural components in the treatment of viral pneumonia.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"62"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11887211/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Aloe-emodin inhibits African swine fever virus replication by promoting apoptosis via regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.","authors":"Yizhuo Luo, Yunlong Yang, Wenru Wang, Qi Gao, Ting Gong, Yongzhi Feng, Dongdong Wu, Xiaoyu Zheng, Guihong Zhang, Heng Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02676-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02676-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"60"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11884016/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic and antigenic characteristics of genotype VII.1.1 Newcastle disease viruses currently circulating in Ethiopian chickens.","authors":"Berihun Dires Mihiretu, Tatsufumi Usui, Tesfaye Rufael Chibssa, Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02686-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02686-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a causative agent of Newcastle disease (ND), a major infectious poultry disease associated with significant economic losses. Vaccination is usually effective at preventing the disease. However, in Ethiopia, ND is commonly detected in both unvaccinated and vaccinated chickens. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of NDV isolated from both vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens, as well as to compare the antigenicity of the isolates with vaccine strains and genotyping by using the F-gene sequence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The partial F gene sequences of all isolates and the mean death times (MDTs) of representative isolates were used to determine genotype and pathogenicity of the isolates. Antigenicities were assayed with the hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization (VN) tests using antiserum against the vaccine Hitchner B1 (HB1), which is the most commonly used NDV vaccine in Ethiopia. Thermostability was evaluated by incubating infected allantoic fluid at 56 °C.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 231 samples tested, 10.8% (25/231) were positive for virus isolation. The F gene cleavage sites of all 25 isolates had ¹¹²RRQKRF¹¹⁷, a characteristic of virulent NDVs. The MDTs of representative isolates were less than 60 h, indicating highly virulent (velogenic) pathotypes. The HI test revealed significant differences between our isolates and the HB1 vaccine strain, but the VN test showed no antigenic difference. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial F gene sequences showed that all the isolates belonged to sub-genotype VII.1.1 of genotype VII, which is closely related to NDV strains from the Middle East and Eritrea. Thermostability test showed two of the 25 isolates were thermostable.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Although the HI test indicates antigenic differences between the velogenic Ethiopian isolates and the HB1 vaccine, the VN test showed that the vaccine could protect infections with these isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all studied isolates belong to sub-genotype VII.1.1 of genotype VII, diverging from previously reported genotype XXI in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In Ethiopia, NDV genotype VII 1.1 is widely distributed. Since these viruses showed the same antigenicity as the HB1 vaccine in VN test, the occurrence of ND in vaccinated chickens may be due to vaccine failure caused by inadequate management or immunosuppression due to other infectious diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"63"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11887112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}