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Natural infections with HoBi‐like pestivirus (HoBiPeV) have been detected in cattle in South America, Europe and Asia with a range of clinical manifestations including fatal mucosal disease (MD). In India, although HoBiPeV in cattle has been reported, there is no information on currently circulating HoBiPeV strains and associated severe clinical disease. Between September 2018 and December 2019, suspected cases of bovine viral diarrhoea with severe disease in cattle were noticed in farmers' small holdings in Tamil Nadu State. To determine the extent of pestivirus infection, blood, serum, nasal or oral swab samples of 46 cattle from 18 villages were tested. Based on the real‐time RT‐PCR, antigen ELISA and nucleotide sequencing results, pestivirus was detected in nine cattle from eight villages in two districts and all pestiviruses were identified as HoBiPeV. All nine HoBiPeV‐infected cattle displayed clinical signs resembling MD and HoBiPeV isolates (n = 9) obtained were characterized at genetic and antigenic level. Phylogenetic analyses based on 5′‐untranslated regions (5′‐UTR), Npro and combined 5′‐UTR‐Npro gene sequences revealed that eight HoBiPeV isolates clustered into a clade, distinct from all reported HoBiPeV clades (a–d), whereas one belonged to HoBiPeV‐d clade, thus providing evidence of emergence of a novel HoBiPeV clade (e). This was also supported by HoBiPeV‐e clade‐specific amino acid substitutions in Npro and the antigenic reactivity patterns. The study demonstrates the existence and independent evolution of five HoBiPeV clades (four main clades) globally and surprisingly three exclusive to India. Also we confirm first HoBiPeV occurrence in southern India with predominant prevalence of HoBiPeV‐e strains. Besides demonstrating increased HoBiPeV genetic diversity, here we show association of HoBiPeV with severe clinical disease involving fatalities highlighting impact of HoBiPeV on cattle health. The emergence of a novel HoBiPeV lineage provides new insights on global HoBiPeV epidemiology and genetic diversity reiterating the need for continuous monitoring of HoBiPeV in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HoBi‐like pestivirus is an emerging atypical pestivirus in cattle and small ruminants, causing clinical signs similar to those observed in bovine viral diarrhoea virus infections. Natural infection of HoBi‐like pestivirus has been reported in cattle herds and small ruminants in multiple countries in South America, Europe and Asia. However, HoBi‐like pestiviruses were only identified from contaminated bovine serum and small ruminants in China. So far, no clinical cases induced by HoBi‐like pestivirus infection were reported in Chinese cattle herds. Here, for the first time, we reported natural infection of HoBi‐like pestivirus in a cattle herd in China. Sick cattle with severe respiratory and diarrhoea and high fatality rate were found in a beef cattle herd in Shandong province in November 2017. RT‐PCR, viral isolation, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the primary causative agent was HoBi‐like pestivirus. The isolated HoBi‐like pestivirus strain, SDJN‐China‐2019, shared 94.1%–97.5% homology with the LV168‐20_16RN strain from Brazil in nucleotide of 5′UTR, Npro and E2 while it shared only 88.5%–92.1% homology with Asian HoBi‐like virus strain Th/04‐Khonkaen. Multiple unique mutations of amino acid were observed in Npro and E2 proteins of SDJN‐China‐2019, which were different from that of other reference strains. In summary, this study provides the first evidence of HoBi‐like pestivirus infection in Chinese cattle herds, raising potential threat to the cattle industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the frequency and genetic diversity of pestiviruses in abortion cases in cattle and small ruminants in Turkey. During January 2012 and December 2017, a total of 2029 aborted foetuses (553 bovine foetuses, 1,388 sheep foetuses and 88 goat foetuses) were collected from different regions of Turkey. Real‐time RT‐PCR (RRT‐PCR) assays were used to detect pestiviral RNA in aborted foetuses. To confirm the cause of abortion, pestivirus‐positive foetuses were also examined for the presence of Brucella spp., Campylobacter spp., Chlamydophila abortus (C. abortus), akabane virus, bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus by molecular detection methods. Pestiviral RNA was detected in 61 (11%) of the 553 bovine foetuses, 124 (8.9%) of the 1,388 sheep foetuses and 3 (3.4%) of the 88 goat foetuses. Furthermore, C. abortus DNA was detected in 3 pestivirus‐positive sheep foetuses, whereas other infectious agents were not detected in pestivirus‐positive foetuses. Genetic characterization of the pestivirus RRT‐PCR positive samples was conducted by sequencing 5′ untranslated (5′ UTR) and non‐structural autoprotease (Npro) genomic regions. A total of 68 sequences were obtained, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all sequences belonged to BVDV‐1, including 1b (8/68), 1f (2/68), 1l (4/68), 1r (10/68), Aydin‐like pestivirus (20/68) and one unknown genotype (24/68). The 5′ UTR and Npro sequences of this unknown genotype differed from pestiviruses previously described, providing evidence for the presence of an emerging genotype within the species Pestivirus I, tentatively named as 'Konya‐like' pestivirus. 'Konya‐like' pestivirus was the dominant genotype in sheep foetuses, whereas Aydin‐like pestivirus was found to be the predominant genotype in bovine foetuses. To the best my knowledge, this is the first report of Aydin‐like pestivirus infection in cattle. The information provided in this study contributes to the understanding the dissemination and evolution of pestiviruses and could be beneficial for developing more effective vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of emerging porcine viruses, atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) was found in three continents since it emerged in 2015. It is now thought as the causative agent for congenital tremor type A‐II in piglets. At the end of 2017, two APPV strains were identified from piglets with congenital tremor in Guangxi and Yunnan, China. The genome of APPV GX04/2017 strain was so far determined to be 11,534 nucleotides (nt) in length and contains a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein comprising 3,635 amino acids. Comparative analysis of ORF, Npro, E2, and NS3 gene sequences revealed that the APPV GX04/2017 strain shares nucleotide sequence identities of 82.8%–92.8% with other APPV strains, while YN01/2017 strain is 79.4%–97.4% homology to the others. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the APPV GX04/2017 and YN01/2017 are two novel APPV strains with the highest homology to each other, and relative high similarity to the APPV 000515 and JX‐JM01 strains in genome sequence. The current findings provide updated information about APPV epidemiology and divergence in China, which would certainly help to establish reliable diagnosis and surveillance programs for APPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) is a recently identified RNA virus within the Flaviviridae family, causing congenital tremor (CT) in the piglets of infected sows. We have investigated 25 cases of CT from 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2016–2018, originating from six different farms. RT‐PCR has been performed on these samples and all of the affected piglets were positive to APPV. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that Hungarian strains show a high degree of variability and are clustered into five distinct lineages. Four strains originating from one farm have shown exceptional similarity (99.9%) to an Austrian sequence, whereas another one from a different herd was grouped close to a Chinese strain (96.4% similarity). Our results suggest multiple events of introduction of the virus from various sources into Hungary. This is the first report of the presence and clinical relevance of APPV in the Hungarian pig population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The recently identified atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) was demonstrated to be the causative agent of the neurological disorder “congenital tremor” in newborn piglets. Despite its relevance and wide distribution in domestic pigs, so far nothing is known about the situation in wild boar, representing an important wild animal reservoir for the related classical swine fever virus. In this study, 456 wild boar serum samples obtained from northern Germany were investigated for the presence of APPV genomes and virus‐specific antibodies. Results of real‐time RT‐PCR analyses revealed a genome detection rate of 19%. Subsequent genetic characterization of APPV (n = 12) from different hunting areas demonstrated close genetic relationship and, with exception of APPV from one location, displayed less than 3.3% differences in the analysed partial NS3 encoding region. Furthermore, indirect Erns ELISA revealed an antibody detection rate of approx. 52%, being in line with the high number of viremic wild boar. Analysis of fifteen wild boar samples from the Republic of Serbia by Erns antibody ELISA provided evidence that APPV is also abundant in wild boar populations outside Germany. High number of genome and seropositive animals suggest that wild boar may serve as an important virus reservoir for APPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Classic swine fever virus (CSFV) is a Pestivirus from the Flaviviridae family that affects pigs worldwide and is endemic in several Latin American countries. However, there are still some countries in the region, including Ecuador, for which CSFV molecular information is lacking. To better understand the epidemiology of CSFV in the Americas, sequences from CSFVs from Ecuador were generated and a phylodynamic analysis of the virus was performed. Sequences for the full‐length glycoprotein E2 gene of twenty field isolates were obtained and, along with sequences from strains previously described in the Americas and from the most representative strains worldwide, were used to analyse the phylodynamics of the virus. Bayesian methods were used to test several molecular clock and demographic models. A calibrated ultrametric tree and a Bayesian skyline were constructed, and codons associated with positive selection involving immune scape were detected. The best model according to Bayes factors was the strict molecular clock and Bayesian skyline model, which shows that CSFV has an evolution rate of 3.2 × 10−4 substitutions per site per year. The model estimates the origin of CSFV in the mid‐1500s. There is a strong spatial structure for CSFV in the Americas, indicating that the virus is moving mainly through neighbouring countries. The genetic diversity of CSFV has increased constantly since its appearance, with a slight decrease in mid‐twentieth century, which coincides, with eradication campaigns in North America. Even though there is no evidence of strong directional evolution of the E2 gene in CSFV, codons 713, 761, 762 and 975 appear to be selected positively and could be related to virulence or pathogenesis. These results reveal how CSFV has spread and evolved since it first appeared in the Americas and provide important information for attaining the goal of eradication of this virus in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) has been detected in piglets with congenital tremor (CT) from three different continents including North America, Europe and Asia. Thirteen piglets from four farms in two different states in Brazil with CT were sampled. Viral RNA was detected by quantitative real‐time PCR in the cerebellum or cerebellum and spinal cord in the 100% of the piglets with CT, and APPV was not detected in any tissue sample from clinically non‐affected piglets with the exception of the cerebellum of one piglet from Farm A. Piglets with CT had an odds ratio of 99.0 (95% CI 3.4, 2823.8; p = .0072) compared to piglets without CT to test positive for APPV by qRT‐PCR. A subset of positive samples was selected for sequencing of the NS3 gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Brazilian sequences of the NS3 formed an independent cluster and had the highest sequence identity with a sequence from the United States. This is the first identification of APPV infection in piglets with CT in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) has recently been identified as a cause of congenital tremor (CT) in pigs and has been detected in semen and preputial swabs from boars that were known to be clinically affected with CT. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to 1) detect the presence of APPV in semen, preputial fluids and preputial swabs from adult boars by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) and 2) genetically characterize a subset of positive samples to better understand the ecology of APPV in commercial boar studs and the potential risk of transmission of APPV via semen. A total of 597 samples of semen, preputial fluid and preputial swabs each representing a different boar were obtained from four commercial boar studs located in three different states in the United States. Viral RNA was detected by qRT‐PCR in 90 samples (15.08%; 90/597), with the greatest per cent positive from preputial swabs (23.81%; 5/21) followed by preputial fluid (22.81%; 26/114) and semen (12.91%; 59/457). The mean cycle quantification (Cq) between sample types was similar while eleven semen samples had Cq values lower than 27.0 corresponding to approximately 2 × 106 copies/ml. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the Npro gene, different viral strains can be on the same farm at the same and different times. This is the first report of detection of APPV in semen from commercial boar studs. Studies investigating the role of semen in the transmission of APPV and production of CT are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Recently, a putative new pestivirus species, provisionally named as Atypical Porcine Pestivirus (APPV), was associated with the congenital tremor in piglets in North America and consequently in Europe and Asia. The present research aimed to describe the detection and characterization of APPV employing NS5B gene partial sequencing, gross pathology and histologic examination of piglets displaying congenital tremor from two different farms of Southern Brazil. No gross lesions were observed, and the histological findings revealed moderate vacuolization of the white matter of the cerebellum. RT‐PCR followed by DNA sequencing and a phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of APPV in samples from the two farms, which the samples were distinct in nature. Phylogenetic reconstruction reinforced the high genetic variability within the APPVs previously reported. This is the first report of APPV in South America suggesting that this new group of viruses may be widespread in swine herds in other countries as it is in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The ruminant pestiviral species BVDV‐1, BVDV‐2 and BDV, along with the putative species HoBi‐like, may cause substantial economic losses in cattle, sheep and goats. Brazil's large size, variable biomes and wide range of ruminant animal production within different geographic regions suggest that the presence and prevalence of ruminant pestivirus may differ by regions within Brazil. This study investigated the genetic diversity of ruminant pestiviruses and determined the frequency of active infections within two states of the Northeast Region of Brazil, Maranhão and Rio Grande do Norte. Serum samples from 16,621 cattle and 2,672 small ruminants from 569 different herds residing in this region were tested by RT‐PCR followed by DNA sequencing. Seventeen positive cattle were detected (0.1%) from fifteen different herds (2.64%). All isolates were classified as HoBi‐like pestiviruses based on phylogenetic analysis. All small ruminant samples tested negative. The findings presented herein suggest that the Northeast Region of Brazil has a uniquely high prevalence of HoBi‐like viruses. The increasing reports of HoBi‐like viruses detected in cattle in the field suggest that natural infection with these viruses may be more widespread than previously thought. The identification of HoBi‐like viruses as the most prevalent type of ruminant pestivirus circulating in the Northeast Region of Brazil indicates the need for both continued monitoring and determination of the extent of economic losses associated with HoBi‐like virus infections. In addition, it must be taken into account in the choice of diagnostic tests and in vaccine formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide information regarding viral pathogenesis and molecular epidemiology linked with recently reported atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) strains and to determine the circulation of APPV in Spain from 1997 to 2016. Two-day-old piglets with moderate-severe congenital tremor ( CT) from a Spanish farm were received for diagnostic purposes. Sera, nasal and rectal swabs and tissue samples were collected. qRT- PCR was performed in these samples, and a retrospective study to detect APPV RNA was carried out using a serum collection from 1997 to 2016. APPV genome was identified with high and moderate RNA loads in different tissues of the CT affected pigs. High APPV RNA load was detected in lymphoid organs, suggesting that these constitute a target for APPV replication. In 89 of the 642 retrospectively analysed samples (13.9%), APPV genome was detected. CT cases were related to the presence of APPV in viraemic piglets below 1 week of age, in which the viral RNA load was the highest. A considerable number of animals between 4 and 14 weeks of age and some 1-week-old piglets were viraemic in the absence of CT, which can act as carriers of the virus. The relative risk of APPV and CT was 8.5 ( CI 95% 5.8-12.5). Thus, our data show that APPV infection is epidemiologically related to CT. Phylogenetic analysis from 1615 NS2-3 nucleotides showed only one defined APPV clade, grouping the most phylogenetically related strains from Europe and China. Of this clade, there are other strains from Europe, USA and China. This data confirm the high APPV genetic diversity, not being able to cluster this virus according to the geographic area. Our result showed that APPV has been circulating in Spain at least since 1997, being the earliest date of detection of this virus worldwide and suggesting that APPV may be widespread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 2c ( BVDV-2c) was responsible for a severe outbreak in cattle in northern Europe. Here, we present the results of an epidemiological survey for pestiviruses in ruminants in southern Italy. Pooled serum samples were obtained from 997 bovine, 800 ovine, 431 caprine and eight bubaline farms, and pestiviral RNA was detected by molecular methods in 44 farms consisting of 16 cattle and one buffalo herds and of 21 sheep and six goat flocks. Twenty-nine and 15 farms were infected by BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 strains, respectively. BVDV-1 strains were recovered mainly from cattle and were heterogeneous, belonging to the subtypes 1b, 1u, 1e, 1g and 1h. In contrast, all BVDV-2 viruses but two were detected in sheep or goats and were characterized as BVDV-2c by sequence analysis of 5′ UTR. These strains displayed high genetic identity to BVDV-2c circulating in cattle in northern Europe and were more distantly related to a BVDV-2c isolate recovered from a cattle herd in southern Italy more than 10 years before. The circulation of a BVDV-2c in small ruminants suggests the need for a continuous surveillance for the emergence of pestivirus-induced clinical signs in southern Italian farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of ruminant pestivirus including bovine viral diarrhoea virus ( BVDV) and the related emerging pestivirus, HoBi-like virus, to establish persistent infection ( PI) following foetal infection is central to keeping these viruses in circulation. Non- PI dams carrying BVDV PI calves develop high levels of immunity due constantly viral exposure. A study to determine whether the immunity developed following the generation of a BVDV PI is enough to prevent HoBi-like virus infection of a subsequent foetus was performed. This study consisted of nine pregnant cows, four had birthed BVDV-1 PI calves in a previous pregnancy, three cows had birthed BVDV-2 PIs and two had birthed pestivirus negative calves. From this, six pregnant cows were challenged with HoBi-like virus about day 85 of gestation (four BVDV-1 and two BVDV-2 cows) and three non-challenged cows (negative control). At the day of challenge, the serum neutralizing titres against the homologous BVDV strains of the first inoculation ranged from 1148 to 5793. At day 6 post-challenge, HoBi-like RNA was detected in the serum of all four BVDV-1 cows but not in the two BVDV-2 cows. The foetuses harvested from five of the exposed dams (three BVDV-1 and two BVDV-2 cows) at day 30 post-challenge were positive for HoBi-like virus RNA. The sixth cow, BVDV-1 cow #541, while pregnant at the time of exposure, had no foetus 30 days after exposure. Foetuses from HoBi-like virus exposed dams were significantly smaller and lighter than control foetuses. HoBi-like RNA was detected in samples of all challenged foetuses. The identification of viral RNA in the serum of 4 cows at day 6 post-challenge, as well viral RNA detection in all foetuses 30 days post-inoculation, indicates that the foetuses of dams with high antibodies titres against BVDV-1 or BVDV-2 would not be protected from challenge with a HoBi-like virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, a novel atypical porcine pestivirus ( APPV) with significant distribution was described in the USA. Subsequent screening of the German pig sector showed a high prevalence of APPV with high variability among strains. First indication of a cell culture isolate is provided which will allow further investigations like pathogenesis studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Pestivirus, which belongs to the Flaviviridae family, includes ssRNA+ viruses responsible for infectious diseases in pigs, cattle, sheep, goats and other domestic and wild ruminants. Like most of the RNA viruses, pestivirus has high genome variability with practical consequences on disease epidemiology, diagnosis and control. In addition to the officially recognized species in the genus Pestivirus, such as BVDV-1, BVDV-2, BDV and CSFV, other pestiviruses have been detected. Furthermore, most of the ruminant pestiviruses show low or absent species specificity observed in serological tests and are able to infect multiple species. Particularly, small ruminants are receptive hosts of the most heterogeneous group of pestiviruses. The aim of this study was to carry out the molecular characterization of pestiviruses isolated from sheep and goats in Sicily, Italy. Phylogenetic analysis of two viral genomic regions (a fragment of 5′-UTR and the whole Npro regions) revealed the presence of different pestivirus genotypes in the analysed goat and sheep herds. Two of five viral isolates were clustered with BVDV-1d viruses, a strain widespread in Italy, but never reported in Sicily. The other three isolates formed a distinct cluster with high similarity to Tunisian isolates, recently proposed as a new pestivirus species. This represents the first evidence for Tunisian-like pestivirus presence in small ruminants in Italy. Furthermore, one of the isolates was collected from a goat, representing the first isolation of Tunisian-like pestivirus from this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atypical porcine pestivirus ( APPV) have been detected in swine herds from the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and most recently in Austria, suggesting a wide geographic distribution of this novel virus. Here, for the first time, we reported APPV infection in swine herds in China. Newborn piglets from two separate swine herds in Guangdong province were found showing typical congenital tremors in July and August 2016. RT- PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed APPV infection occurred. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Chinese APPV strains, GD1 and GD2, formed independent branch from the USA, Germany and the Netherlands. Nucleotide identities between members of the APPV ranged between 83.1% and 83.5%, and this showed APPV is highly diverse. It is apparent that this provides the first molecular evidence of APPV infection in swine herds in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical features and economic impact of the infection caused by an emerging group of pestiviruses, namely HoBi-like pestivirus, in a cattle herd of southern Italy are reported. In 2011, the virus was first associated with respiratory disease, causing an abortion storm after 1 year and apparently disappearing for the following 3 years after persistently infected calves were slaughtered. However, in 2014, reproductive failures and acute gastroenteritis were observed in the same herd, leading to a marked decrease of productivity. A HoBi-like strain closely related to that responsible for previous outbreaks was detected in several animals. Application of an intensive eradication programme, based on the detection and slaughtering of HoBi-like pestivirus persistently infected animals, resulted in a marked improvement of the productive performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural infections of HoBi-like pestiviruses in cattle have been reported in South America, Europe and Asia. In China, although the detections of HoBi-like pestivirus have been reported, the epidemiological investigation was limited. From January 2014 to October 2015, several flocks of sheep/goats in Henan province in central China suffered respiratory diseases which were recovered slowly after antibiotics treatment. To test whether it is the HoBi-like pestivirus caused this symptom, 49 serum samples and 22 nasal swabs were then collected for analysis by serology and RT- PCR. Serological result revealed that prevalence of pestivirus in small ruminants was 12.2% (6/49) in central China. Sequence analysis of partial 5′- UTR nucleotides of pestivirus-positive samples suggested that HoBi-like pestivirus might have circulated in sheep/goats of China for a period and have evolved into new genotype clusters. It is apparent that the study provides the molecular evidence of natural infections in goat/sheep species with HoBi-like pestiviruses in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae consists of four recognized species: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 ( BVDV-1), Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 2 ( BVDV-2), Classical swine fever virus ( CSFV) and Border disease virus ( BDV). Recently, atypical pestiviruses (' Ho Bi'-like pestiviruses) were identified in batches of contaminated foetal calf serum and in naturally infected cattle with and without clinical symptoms. Here, we describe the first report of a mucosal disease-like clinical presentation ( MD) associated with a ' Ho Bi'-like pestivirus occurring in a cattle herd. The outbreak was investigated using immunohistochemistry, antibody detection, viral isolation and RT- PCR. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis of 5′ NCR, Npro and E2 regions of the RT- PCR positive samples showed that four different ' Ho Bi'-like strains were circulating in the herd. The main clinical signs and lesions were observed in the respiratory and digestive systems, but skin lesions and corneal opacity were also observed. MD characteristic lesions and a pestivirus with cytopathic biotype were detected in one calf. The present study is the first report of a MD like presentation associated with natural infection with ' Ho Bi'-like pestivirus. This report describes the clinical signs and provides a pathologic framework of an outbreak associated with at least two different ' Ho Bi'-like strains. Based on these observations, it appears that these atypical pestiviruses are most likely underdiagnosed in Brazilian cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-border region of the Netherlands ( NL) and the two German states of North Rhine Westphalia ( NRW) and Lower Saxony ( LS) is a large and highly integrated livestock production area. This region increasingly develops towards a single epidemiological area in which disease introduction is a shared veterinary and, consequently, economic risk. The objectives of this study were to examine classical swine fever ( CSF) control strategies' veterinary and direct economic impacts for NL, NRW and LS given the current production structure and to analyse CSF's cross-border causes and impacts within the NL- NRW- LS region. The course of the epidemic was simulated by the use of InterSpread Plus, whereas economic analysis was restricted to calculating disease control costs and costs directly resulting from the control measures applied. Three veterinary control strategies were considered: a strategy based on the minimum EU requirements, a vaccination and a depopulation strategy based on NL and GER's contingency plans. Regardless of the veterinary control strategy, simulated outbreak sizes and durations for 2010 were much smaller than those simulated previously, using data from over 10 years ago. For example, worst-case outbreaks (50th percentile) in NL resulted in 30-40 infected farms and lasted for two to four and a half months; associated direct costs and direct consequential costs ranged from €24.7 to 28.6 million and €11.7 to 26.7 million, respectively. Both vaccination and depopulation strategies were efficient in controlling outbreaks, especially large outbreaks, whereas the EU minimum strategy was especially deficient in controlling worst-case outbreaks. Both vaccination and depopulation strategies resulted in low direct costs and direct consequential costs. The probability of cross-border disease spread was relatively low, and cross-border spread resulted in small, short outbreaks in neighbouring countries. Few opportunities for further cross-border harmonization and collaboration were identified, including the implementation of cross-border regions (free and diseased regions regardless of the border) in case of outbreaks within close proximity of the border, and more and quicker sharing of information across the border. It was expected, however, that collaboration to mitigate the market effects of an epidemic will create more opportunities to lower the impact of CSF outbreaks in a cross-border context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) has been considered a novel pestivirus and causative agent of congenital tremor type A‐II. An APPV CH‐GX2016 strain was characterized from newly born piglets with clinical symptoms of congenital tremor in Guangxi, China. The genome of APPV CH‐GX 2016 strain was 11,475 bp in length and encoded a polyprotein composed of the 3,635 amino acids. This genome sequence exhibited 88.0% to 90.8% nucleotide sequence homology with other APPV reference sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis further showed that APPV CH‐GX is a novel pestivirus compared with previously described classical pestivirus strains. Therefore, APPV is present in pigs in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus pestivirus of the family flaviviridae consists of four recognized species: bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 ( BVDV-1), bovine viral diarrhoea virus 2 ( BVDV-2), classical swine fever virus and border disease virus. A new putative pestivirus species tentatively named as either 'HoBi-like pestivirus' or BVDV-3 has recently been identified in Brazil, Italy and Thailand. Despite reports of serological evidence of BVDV in Bangladesh, the types of the virus circulating in cattle have not been identified. We conducted surveillance in cattle from May 2009 to August 2010 in three government veterinary hospitals to characterize BVDV in cattle of Bangladesh. We tested serum for BVDV using an antigen-capture ELISA. Of 638 cattle samples, 3% (16/638) tested positive for BVDV antigen. The ELISA-positive samples were selected for further molecular detection and characterization of BVDV. Molecular analysis of the partial 5′ untranslated region ( UTR) nucleotide sequences of BVDV-positive samples identified the rare HoBi-like pestivirus or BVDV-3 virus circulating in cattle of Bangladesh. The identification of this rare HoBi-like pestivirus or BVDV-3 strain in Bangladesh warrants further surveillance to evaluate its impact on livestock production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viral disease classical swine fever (CSF), caused by a Pestivirus, is one of the major causes of economic losses for pig farming. The aim of this work was to validate a RT-qPCR using Taqman for detection of CSF in swine tissues. The parameters for the validation followed the specifications of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the guide ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The analysis of the 5'NTR region of CSF virus was performed in 145 samples from 29 infected pigs and in 240 samples from 80 pigs originated in the Brazilian CSF-free zone. The tissues tested were spleen, kidney, blood, tonsils, and lymph nodes. Sequencing of the positive samples for 5'NTR region was performed to evaluate the specificity of the RT-qPCR. Tests performed for the RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that the PCR assay was efficient in detecting RNA from CSF virus in all materials from different tissues of infected animals. Furthermore, RNA from CSF virus was not detected in samples of swine originated from the Brazilian CSF-free zone. Hence, it is concluded that RT-qPCR can be used as a complementary diagnostic for CSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) have been reported from many countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, but until 2007 the disease had never been reported from the Republic of Mauritius. This is the first report describing field epidemiological and laboratory investigations into the outbreak of the lethal pig disease on the island. The official index case displayed clinical and necropsy signs suggestive of ASF. Serological and agent identification methods used to confirm and investigate the outbreak yielded negative and a few positive results respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequencing clustered the outbreak strain within genotype II viruses. The outbreak was controlled by modified stamping out and risk assessment revealed the possibility of disease endemicity in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pestiviruses, a genetically and antigenically highly diverse group, include one of the most historically significant swine pathogens, that is, classical swine fever virus. In Australia, investigations into swine outbreaks characterized by neonatal mortality, stillbirths and mummified foetuses resulted in the discovery of a new pestivirus, Bungowannah virus. This finding raised the possibility that Bungowannah virus, or a variant thereof, was circulating in swine herds elsewhere in the World. If so, it raised the possibility of a pestivirus emerging as a new swine disease with unknown consequences for animal health and food safety. Thus, we developed three specific qRT- PCR assays to evaluate tissue samples from undiagnosed cases of abortion or respiratory disease for evidence of Bungowannah virus. Examination of 64 samples collected between the Fall of 2007 and Spring of 2010 tested negative for all three genes examined. We conclude that Bungowannah-like pestivirus is unlikely to be present in swine in the upper Midwestern USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]