RADIOIMMUNOASSAY FOR DETECTION OF ANTI-RINDERPEST ANTIBODIES IN CATTLES

Liquid Phase Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed to detect and measure anti-rinderpest immunoglobulins in field animals sera, within two hours. Rinderpest virus adapted on Vero cell line culture and antigen purified by treatment with Triton-Gentron 13 Butanol, and, labeled with I isotope, using chloramin T iodination method. Comparative studies for detecting anti-rinderpest immunoglobulin in 80 calves sera samples, using the developed assay in parallel with virus neutralization test (VNT). The study showed 58.75 % agreement between the two methods. However, 71 % of seven months old, non-vaccinated calves showed anti rinderpest antibodies in their sera, also 81 % of 10 months old vaccinated calves were developed antibodies in their blood. These results demonstrate the development of sensitive, specific and rapid quantitative / qualitative radioimmunoassay, necessary for screening the development of immunity against rinderpest in cattle.

SHORT COMMUNICATION ISOLATION OF RINDERPEST VIRUS FROM THE PANZOOTIC OF 1983 IN NIGERIA.

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‘Seq & Destroy’: the full genome sequencing of archived wild type and vaccine rinderpest virus isolates prior to their destruction

Rinderpest, a once much feared livestock disease, was declared eradicated in 2011, however virus-containing material is still held in laboratories worldwide. Prior to the destruction of our institute’s stocks, we determined the full genome sequence of the distinct samples of rinderpest virus (RPV) in our repository. This data would decipher the historical epidemiology of RPV and allow for recovery of the virus should the need arise. For each sample (n=123), sequencing libraries were prepared using either transposon-based fragmentation of cDNA (Nextera XT DNA Library Prep kit) or single primer isothermal amplification (Trio RNA-Seq kit) and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq. Regions of low or no coverage were re-sequenced using a Sanger sequencing approach. Examination of the sequences of RPV isolates has shown that the African isolates form a single disparate clade, rather than two separate clades as was previously believed. We have also identified two groups of goat-passaged viruses which have acquired an extra 6 bases in the long untranslated region between the matrix and fusion protein coding sequences, and a group of African isolates where translation of the fusion protein begins from a non-standard start codon (AUA). In addition, the viruses that were force-passaged through alternate hosts such as rabbits or goats, appear to diverge from the clades that represent viruses which were maintained in the wild. Our unique set of sequence data will be invaluable for forensic epidemiology investigations in the event of an unforeseen outbreak and aid in the understanding of the evolution of related morbilliviruses.

Measles virus and rinderpest virus divergence dated to the sixth century BCE

Many infectious diseases are thought to have emerged in humans after the Neolithic revolution. Although it is broadly accepted that this also applies to measles, the exact date of emergence for this disease is controversial. We sequenced the genome of a 1912 measles virus and used selection-aware molecular clock modeling to determine the divergence date of measles virus and rinderpest virus. This divergence date represents the earliest possible date for the establishment of measles in human populations. Our analyses show that the measles virus potentially arose as early as the sixth century BCE, possibly coinciding with the rise of large cities.

The history of measles: from a 1912 genome to an antique origin

Many infectious diseases are thought to have emerged in humans after the Neolithic revolution. While it is broadly accepted that this also applies to measles, the exact date of emergence for this disease is controversial. Here, we sequenced the genome of a 1912 measles virus and used selection-aware molecular clock modeling to determine the divergence date of measles virus and rinderpest virus. This divergence date represents the earliest possible date for the establishment of measles in human populations. Our analyses show that the measles virus potentially arose as early as the 4th century BCE, rekindling the recently challenged hypothesis of an antique origin of this disease.One Sentence SummaryMeasles virus diverged from rinderpest virus in the 4th century BCE, which is compatible with an emergence of measles during Antiquity.

Cetacean Morbillivirus, a Journey from Land to Sea and viceversa

Cetacean Morbillivirus, the most relevant pathogen impacting the health and conservation of cetaceans worldwide, has shown in recent years an increased tendency to cross “interspecies barriers”, thereby giving rise to disease and mortality outbreaks in free-ranging dolphins and whales. The present article deals with the evolutionary “trajectories” of this viral pathogen, likely originating from Rinderpest Virus, along with its “journey” from land to sea (and viceversa), mimicking that of cetaceans' terrestrial ancestors.

Cetacean morbillivirus, a journey from land to sea and vice versa

Cetacean Morbillivirus, the most relevant pathogen impacting the health and conservation of cetaceans worldwide, has shown in recent years an increased tendency to cross “interspecies barriers”, thereby giving rise to disease and mortality outbreaks in free-ranging dolphins and whales. The present “Opinion Article” deals with the evolutionary “trajectories” of this viral pathogen, likely originating from Rinderpest Virus, along with its "journey" from land to sea (and vice versa), mimicking that of cetaceans' terrestrial ancestors.