Pseudorabies virus isolates from domestic pigs and wild boars show no apparent in vitro differences in replication kinetics and sensitivity to interferon-induced antiviral status

Abstract

Pseudorabies virus is the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease. Domestic pigs and wild boars are its natural hosts, and strains circulating within both populations differ in their capacity to induce clinical disease. Cell biological and molecular explanations for the observed differences in virulence are, however, lacking. Different virulence determinants that can be assessed in vitro were determined for five domestic swine strains, four wild boar strains and the NIA3 reference strain. Replication kinetics and plaque formation capacity in continuous swine testicular cells and different primary porcine cell lines were highly similar for isolates from both populations. Treatment of these cell lines with IFNa, IFNc or a combination of both provoked similar plaque-reducing effects for all strains. In conclusion, our results indicate that isolates from domestic swine and wild boar differ neither in intrinsic replication and dissemination capacity nor in sensitivity to antiviral effects of IFNs.

Retrieving Historical Cases of Aujeszky’s Disease in Sicily (Italy): Report of a Natural Outbreak Affecting Sheep, Goats, Dogs, Cats and Foxes and Considerations on Critical Issues and Perspectives in Light of the Recent EU Regulation 429/2016

“…Aujeszky’s disease (AD), also called pseudorabies, is a notifiable disease caused by Suid alphaherpesvirus 1 (SuAHV-1) that is an alphaherpesvirus member of the Herpesviridae family, genus Varicellovirus [ 1 ]. The pig and wild boar ( genus Sus) are considered the principal reservoir hosts [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Notoriously SuAHV-1 does not have a species-specific tropism, and these animals serve as a source of infection for ruminants, monogastric herbivores, carnivores and rodents [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Severe Outbreak of Aujeszky’s Disease in Cattle in Nebrodi Park Area (Sicily)

“…Furthermore, considering the absence of barriers preventing contacts with wildlife and the highly similarity between the viral strain detected in cow and the viral strains previously identified in wild boars, it is not possible to rule out a direct transmission from wild boars/feral pigs to cattle (Figure 7,8). In fact, the area where the farm is located shows a high density of wild boars and feral pigs population, which have been widely recognized as AD reservoirs all over Europe (Lari A. et al 2006;Caruso et al 2014;Varin R. et al 2014;Moreno A et al 2015;Meier R K et al 2015, Verpoest S et al 2016). Furthermore, the highest similarity between PrV strains isolated in hunting dogs (unpublished data-Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily) in the same territory and the strain isolated in the current study ( Figure 7.)…”

“…Pigs (Sus scrofa) are considered the natural hosts, serving as a reservoir for spreading the virus to other animal species, including ruminants, carnivores and rodents. In Europe the wild boar is considered the main reservoir of AD which is endemic in domestic free-range pigs (Lari A. et al 2006;Caruso et al 2014;Varin R. et al 2014;Moreno A et al 2015;Meier R K et al 2015;Verpoest S et al 2016). There is still no consensus on the zoonotic potential of AD, although positive cases have been documented especially in people working in close contact with pets and farm animals (e.g.…”

Reduced virulence of a pseudorabies virus isolate from wild boar origin in domestic pigs correlates with hampered visceral spread and age-dependent reduced neuroinvasive capacity

“…Although we cannot exclude this possibility at this time, it was previously shown that the wild boar strain and NIA3 do not differ in their capacity to replicate in primary swine kidney, lung, skin and testis cells in vitro . 20 …”