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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of turkey coronavirus from turkey poults with acute enteritis.

The present study was to characterize turkey coronavirus associated with turkey poult enteritis and mortality. Intestinal contents or intestines from affected turkey poults and inoculated turkey embryos contained coronaviruses as revealed by electron microscopy or were positive for turkey coronavirus by immunofluorescent antibody assay. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation of the virus-containing intestinal homogenate yielded two opalescent bands corresponding to the buoyant densities of 1.14-1.15 and 1.18-1.20 g/ml, respectively. Coronaviral particles from intestinal contents or the sucrose density gradient preparation were mainly spherical in shape and had envelope and central depression. They were surrounded by a fringe of regularly spaced petal-shaped projections attached to the particles by a short stalk. Purified viruses hemagglutinated rabbit erythrocytes with a titer of 16. Major protein bands of purified viruses analyzed by SDS-PAGE were located at 200, 100-110, 50-60, and 30-35 kDa. The patterns of protein bands were consistent with those of Minnesota or Quebec turkey coronavirus isolates. A 568 bp nucleotide fragment of turkey coronavirus spike protein gene was amplified from RNA of inoculated turkey embryo intestine or purified virus. Sequence analysis of the 568 bp PCR product revealed high degree of identity with the corresponding spike protein gene sequence of human and bovine coronaviruses. The results indicated that turkey coronavirus was associated with turkey poults with acute enteritis.

Acute Disease↗

Multiplex real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of three viruses associated with poult enteritis complex: turkey astrovirus, turkey coronavirus, and turkey reovirus.

Poult enteritis complex (PEC) is an economically important disease of young turkeys characterized by diarrhea, poor weight gain, and, in some cases, high mortality. Although PEC is considered to be a polymicrobial disease, numerous viruses, including turkey coronavirus (TCV), turkey astrovirus type 2 (TAstV-2), and avian reoviruses (ARVs), have been associated with PEC-like disease. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR), a highly sensitive and specific detection method for viral RNA, was developed in a multiplex format for the simultaneous detection of TAstV-2 and TCV and for the detection of two genetic types of ARV. Assay sensitivity was determined using in vitro transcribed RNA and varied by target between 150 gene copies for TAstV-2 alone and 2200 gene copies for TCV when multiplexed. Virus detection was evaluated with samples collected from poults inoculated at 1 day of age with each of the viruses. Cloacal swabs and intestinal samples were obtained at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 14, 17, and 21 days after inoculation, processed, and tested for virus detection by RRT-PCR Cloacal swabs from TAstV-2- and TCV-infected poults were shown to have sensitivity for virus detection similar to that of intestinal samples when compared directly. ARV detection by RRT-PCR was compared with virus isolation and had similar sensitivity.

Animals↗

Pathogenicity of turkey coronavirus in turkeys and chickens.

We designed this study to compare the replication potential of turkey coronavirus (TCV) and its effect in chickens and turkeys and to study the effect of singleand combined infection of turkey poults with TCV and astrovirus. We studied the pathogenicity of TCV in experimentally inoculated turkey poults and chickens by observing the dinical signs and gross lesions. Two trials were conducted with 1-day-old and 4-wk-old specific-pathogen-free turkey poults and chickens. One-day-old turkey poults developed diarrhea at 48 hr postinoculation. Poults euthanatized at 3, 5, and 7 days postinoculation had flaccid, pale, and thin-walled intestines with watery contents. The 4-wk-old turkeys had no clinical signs or gross lesions. One-day-old and 4-wk-old chicks developed no clinical signs or gross lesions although the TCV was detected in gut contents of the birds throughout the experimental period (14 days). In another experiment, mean plasma D-xylose concentrations in 3-day-old turkey poults inoculated with TCV, turkey astrovirus, or a combination of both viruses were significantly lower than in the uninoculated controls.

Age Factors↗

Limited transmission of turkey coronavirus in young turkeys by adult Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

We examined the role of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), in the transmission of an enteric disease of turkeys caused by a coronavirus. Turkey coronavirus (TCV) from two sources was studied, one isolate (NC95) was embryo propagated, the second was TCV infected material from turkeys diagnosed with poult enteritis mortality syndrome (PEMS). Beetles were fed virus-infected feces mixed with chicken feed. Transmission of virus was effectively halted by surface sterilization of the beetles. Turkey poults administered beetle homogenates infected with TCV+ PEMS that had not been surface sterilized had reduced weight gains and 50% mortality. Mortality and weight gains were not effected in the NC95 group. Virus isolation procedures were performed to determine NC95 viability at varying time intervals. Beetles were dissected and the guts removed 1, 12, and 24 h after the initial viral feeding. Whole beetles were also examined for comparison. Whole beetles and beetle guts were homogenized and injected into turkey eggs for embryo propagation. Direct immunofluorescence was used to determine the presence of TCV. A. diaperinus were capable of mechanical transmission of TCV. However, only turkey embryos receiving whole beetle and beetle gut homogenates within 1 h of feeding on the virus were positive for TCV. Laboratory studies demonstrating PEMS transmission by A. diaperinus are continuing.

Animals↗

Viral agents associated with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome: the role of a small round virus and a turkey coronavirus.

Intestinal samples from turkey poults affected with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS) were examined for viruses by immune electron microscopy and double-stranded RNA virus genome electropherotyping. Turkey coronavirus (TCV), avian rotaviruses, reovirus, and a yet undefined small round virus (SRV) were detected. The SRV and TCV were isolated and propagated in turkey embryos. Challenge of specific-pathogen-free turkey poults with SRV, TCV, or both resulted in mortality and clinical responses similar to those of natural PEMS. Our experiments indicate that SRV and TCV are possibly important agents in the etiology of PEMS and the combination of these infections might result in outbreaks with high mortality. The severity of clinical signs and mortality of PEMS are postulated to be partly related to the virus agents involved in individual outbreaks.

Animals↗

Antigenic characterization of a turkey coronavirus identified in poult enteritis- and mortality syndrome-affected turkeys.

A turkey coronavirus (TCV [NC95]) was characterized by antigenic comparison with other avian and mammalian coronaviruses using immunofluorescence (FA) and immunoperoxidase (IP) procedures. Based on FA and IP procedures, TCV (NC95) was determined to be antigenically indistinguishable from turkey enteric (bluecomb) coronavirus (TECV). In addition, TCV (NC95) and TECV were found to be closely related to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV); a one-way antigenic relationship was demonstrated. Polyclonal antibodies specific for TECV and IBV reacted strongly against TCV (NC95), as determined by FA procedures. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for IBV matrix protein (MAb 919) reacted strongly against TCV (NC95) and TECV as determined by FA and IP procedures; an IBV peplomer protein-specific MAb (MAb 94) did not recognize the two viruses. These studies suggest an identification of TCV (NC95) as a strain of TECV, and provide evidence of a close antigenic relationship between these viruses and IBV.

Animals↗

Expression and purification of turkey coronavirus nucleocapsid protein in Escherichia coli.

Purification of turkey coronavirus (TCoV) nucleocapsid (N) protein, expressed in a prokaryotic expression system as histidine-tagged fusion protein is demonstrated in the present study. Turkey coronavirus was partially purified from infected intestine of turkey embryo by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation and RNA was extracted. The N protein gene was amplified from the extracted RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cloned. The recombinant expression construct (pTri-N) was identified by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. Expression of histidine-tagged fusion N protein with a molecular mass of 57 kd was determined by Western blotting analysis. By chromatography on nickel-agarose column, the expressed N protein was purified to near homogeneity as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. The protein recovery could be 2.5 mg from 100 ml of bacterial culture. The purified N protein was recognized by antibody to TCoV in Western blotting assay. The capability of the recombinant N protein to differentiate positive serum of turkey infected with TCoV from normal turkey serum was evident in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). These results indicated that the expressed N protein is a superior source of TCoV antigen for development of antibody-capture ELISA for detection of antibodies to TCoV.

Animals↗

Enhancement of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli pathogenicity in young turkeys by concurrent turkey coronavirus infection.

In a previous study, turkey coronavirus (TCV) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) were shown to synergistically interact in young turkeys coinfected with these agents. In that study, inapparent or mild disease was observed in turkeys inoculated with only TCV or EPEC, whereas severe growth depression and high mortality were observed in dually inoculated turkeys. The purpose of the present study was to further evaluate the pathogenesis of combined TCV/EPEC infection in young turkeys and determine the role of these agents in the observed synergistic interaction. Experiments were conducted to determine 1) effect of EPEC dose, with and without concurrent TCV infection, and 2) effect of TCV exposure, before and after EPEC exposure, on development of clinical disease. Additionally, the effect of combined infection on TCV and EPEC shedding was determined. No clinical sign of disease and no attaching and effacing (AE) lesions characteristic of EPEC were observed in turkeys inoculated with only EPEC isolate R98/5, even when turkeys were inoculated with 10(10) colony forming units (CFU) EPEC (high dose exposure). Only mild growth depression was observed in turkeys inoculated with only TCV; however, turkeys inoculated with both TCV and 10(4) CFU EPEC (low dose exposure) developed severe disease characterized by high mortality, marked growth depression, and AE lesions. Inoculation of turkeys with TCV 7 days prior to EPEC inoculation produced more severe disease (numerically greater mortality, significantly lower survival probability [P < 0.05], increased frequency of AE lesions) than that observed in turkeys inoculated with EPEC prior to TCV or simultaneously inoculated with these agents. Coinfection of turkeys with TCV and EPEC resulted in significantly increased (P < 0.05) shedding of EPEC, but not TCV, in intestinal contents of turkeys. These findings indicate that TCV infection predisposes young turkeys to secondary EPEC infection and potentiates the expression of EPEC pathogenicity in young turkeys.

Animals↗

High mortality and growth depression experimentally produced in young turkeys by dual infection with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and turkey coronavirus.

Six-day-old turkeys were inoculated with turkey coronavirus (TCV) and an enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) (isolate R98/5) that were isolated from poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS)-affected turkeys. Turkeys inoculated with only R98/5 did not develop clinically apparent disease, and only mild disease and moderate growth depression were observed in turkeys inoculated with only TCV. Turkeys dually inoculated with TCV and R98/5 developed severe enteritis with high mortality (38/48, 79%) and marked growth depression. R98/5 infection resulted in attaching/effacing (AE) intestinal lesions characteristic of EPEC: adherence of bacterial microcolonies to intestinal epithelium with degeneration and necrosis of epithelium at sites of bacterial attachment. AE lesions were more extensive and were detected for a prolonged duration in dually inoculated turkeys compared with turkeys inoculated with only R98/5. An apparent synergistic effect in dually inoculated turkeys was indicated by increased mortality, enhanced growth depression, and enhanced AE lesion development. The results suggest that TCV promoted intestinal colonization by R98/5; however, R98/5 did not appear to alter TCV infection. The present study provides a possible etiologic explanation for PEMS.

Animals↗

Humoral and cellular immune responses in turkey poults infected with turkey coronavirus.

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the kinetics of humoral and cellular immune responses of turkey poults infected with turkey coronavirus (TCV). Turkey poults were orally inoculated with TCV at 10 d of age, and the immune responses were analyzed at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, and 63 d postinfection (PI) in three different experiments. Total Ig to TCV was initially detected at 7 and 14 d PI in Experiments 1 and 3. In addition, Ig gradually increased from 7 to 21 d PI and remained at 80 immunofluroescent antibody assay (IFA) titers or more thereafter. Lymphocyte proliferation responses of spleen cells to concanavalin A were higher in TCV-infected turkeys than in noninfected control turkeys with significant differences (P < 0.05) being noted at 14 and 63 d PI in Experiment 2 and at 3 and 28 d PI in Experiment 3. Strong IFA staining response to TCV antigen was observed in intestines of turkeys at 1, 3, and 7 d PI, and the response declined from 14 to 28 d PI in Experiment 3. In Experiment 3, the IgG isotype antibody response to TCV was markedly increased after 21 d PI and remained high until 63 d PI. The IgM isotype antibody response to TCV was 1.40 and 0.91 at 7 and 14 d PI, respectively. The IgA isotype antibody response to TCV was very low as detected at 7 (0.13), 14 (0.20), and 21 (0.17) d PI. Turkeys infected with TCV had significantly higher (P < 0.05) antibody response to sheep erythrocytes than noninfected controls at 7 d PI. Virus-specific lymphocyte proliferation response of spleen cells was significantly stimulated (P < 0.05) at 63 d PI in Experiment 3. The proportion of the CD4+ subpopulation of T lymphocytes was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 1, 7, and 21 d PI in Experiment 3. The results indicate that humoral and cellular immunities to TCV are elicited in turkeys following infection with TCV.

Animals↗

Specific mucosal IgA immunity in turkey poults infected with turkey coronavirus.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the kinetics and magnitudes of specific IgA antibody responses in intestines of turkey poults infected with turkey coronavirus (TCV). Turkey poults were orally inoculated with TCV at 10 days of age. Intestinal segment cultures were administered for duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and the IgA antibody responses were analyzed at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 9 weeks post-infection (PI) in two different experiments. The kinetics of virus-specific IgA antibody responses in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were similar: gradually increased from 1 week PI, reached the peak at 3 or 4 weeks PI, and declined afterward. The virus-specific IgA antibody responses in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum showed negative correlation with duration of TCV antigen in the corresponding locations of intestine with Spearman's correlation coefficient of -0.85 (p=0.034), -0.74 (p=0.096), and -0.75 (p=0.084), respectively. Moreover, the virus-specific IgA antibody responses in serum were positively correlated with that of duodenum (coefficient=0.829, p=0.042), jejunum (coefficient=0.829, p=0.042), and ileum (coefficient=0.771, p=0.072) segment cultures, suggesting that the induction of specific IgA response in serum was predictive of an IgA response in intestine. The results indicate that intestinal mucosal IgA antibodies to TCV are elicited in turkeys following infection with TCV. The local mucosal antibodies may provide protective immunity for infected turkeys to recover from TCV infection.

Animals↗

Purification of turkey coronavirus by Sephacryl size-exclusion chromatography.

Sephacryl S-1000 size-exclusion chromatography was used to purify turkey coronavirus (TCoV) from infected turkey embryo. TCoV was propagated in the 22-day-old turkey embryos. Intestines and intestinal contents of infected embryos were harvested and homogenized. After low speed centrifugation, the supernatant was concentrated by ultracentrifugation through a cushion of 30 or 60% sucrose solution, or by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The purification methods included sucrose gradient and Sephacryl S-1000 size-exclusion chromatography. Ultracentrifugation through a cushion of 60% sucrose solution was better than the other two methods for concentration of TCoV from intestinal homogenate. The most effective method for purifying TCoV and removing extraneous materials was size-exclusion chromatography as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. More spike-rich particles were observed in the sample purified by chromatography than those purified by sucrose gradient as examined by electron microscopy. Differentiation of turkey anti-TCoV antiserum from normal turkey serum was better achieved by ELISA plates coated with TCoV preparation purified by size-exclusion chromatography than that purified by sucrose density gradient. The results indicated that Sephacryl S-1000 chromatography was useful for purification of TCoV.

Animals↗

Sequence analysis of the matrix/nucleocapsid gene region of turkey coronavirus.

A reverse transcriptase, polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) procedure was used to amplify a segment of the genome of turkey coronavirus (TCV) spanning portions of the matrix and nucleocapsid (MN) protein genes (approximately 1.1 kb). The MN gene region of three epidemiologically distinct TCV strains (Minnesota, NC95, Indiana) was amplified, cloned into pUC19, and sequenced. TCV MN gene sequences were compared with published sequences of other avian and mammalian coronaviruses. A high degree of similarity (>90%) was observed between the nucleotide, matrix protein, and nucleocapsid protein sequences of TCV strains and published sequences of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The matrix and nucleocapsid protein sequences of TCV had limited homology (<30%) with MN sequences of mammalian coronaviruses. These results demonstrate a close genetic relationship between the avian coronaviruses, IBV and TCV.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Baculovirus expression of turkey coronavirus nucleocapsid protein.

The nucleocapsid (N) gene of turkey coronavirus (TCV) was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and expressed in the baculovirus expression system. A recombinant baculovirus containing the TCV N gene (rBTCV/N) was identified by polymerase chain reaction and expression of TCV N protein as determined by western immunoblot analysis. Two TCV-specific proteins, 52 and 43 kDa, were expressed by rBTCV/N; one of these proteins, p52, was comparable in size to native TCV N protein. Baculovirus-expressed N proteins were used as antigen in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of TCV-specific antibodies. The ELISA detected antibodies specific for TCV and infectious bronchitis virus, a closely related avian coronavirus, but did not detect antibodies specific for other avian viruses (avian influenza, avian reovirus, avian paramyxovirus 3, avian adenovirus 1, or Newcastle disease virus). These findings indicate that baculovirus-expressed TCV N protein is a suitable source of antigen for ELISA-based detection of TCV-specific antibodies in turkeys.

Animals↗

Sequence analysis of the turkey coronavirus nucleocapsid protein gene and 3' untranslated region identifies the virus as a close relative of infectious bronchitis virus.

The 3' end of the turkey coronavirus (TCV) genome (1740 bases) including the nucleocapsid (N) gene and 3' untranslated region (UTR) were sequenced and compared with published sequences of other avian and mammalian coronaviruses. The deduced sequence of the TCV N protein was determined to be 409 amino acids with a molecular mass of approximately 45 kDa. The TCV N protein was identical in size and had greater than 90% amino acid identity with published N protein sequences of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV); less than 21% identity was observed with N proteins of bovine coronavirus and transmissible gastroenteritis virus. The 3' UTR showed some variation among the three TCV strains examined, with two TCV strains, Minnesota and Indiana, containing 153 base segments which are not present in the NC95 strain. Nucleotide sequence identity between the 3' UTRs of TCV and IBV was greater than 78%. Similarities in both size and sequence of TCV and IBV N proteins and 3' UTRs provide additional evidence that these avian coronaviruses are closely related.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay for the diagnosis of turkey coronavirus infection.

This study reports on the development of a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the specific detection of turkey coronavirus (TCoV). Of the several sets of primers tested, 1 set of primers derived from the P gene and 2 sets derived from the N gene of TCoV could amplify the TCoV genome in the infected samples. The RT-PCR was sensitive and specific for TCoV and did not amplify other avian RNA and DNA viruses tested except the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). To overcome the problem of IBV amplification, a set of separate primers was designed from the spike protein gene of IBV. The RT-PCR under the same conditions as above could effectively differentiate between TCoV and IBV. The closely related bovine coronavirus and transmissible gastroenteritis virus of pigs were differentiated from TCoV using the same RT-PCR with slight modifications. The results of RT-PCR correlated well with the results of the immunofluorescent test for the same samples tested at the Purdue University Animal Disease Laboratory, West Lafayette, Indiana. The nucleotide sequence and projected amino acid sequence comparison of the P gene of different isolates of TCoV from 5 different states in the United States revealed a close association among the different isolates of TCoV.

Animals↗

Complete sequences of 3' end coding region for structural protein genes of turkey coronavirus.

Overlapping fragments of genomic RNA spanning 6963 nucleotides from 5' end of spike (S) protein gene to 3' end of nucleocapsid (N) protein gene of turkey coronavirus (TCoV) were amplified by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primers were derived from the corresponding sequences of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The PCR products were cloned and sequenced and their nucleic acid structure and similarity to published sequences of other coronaviruses were analyzed. Sequencing and subsequent analysis revealed 9 open reading frames (ORFs) representing the entire S protein gene, tricistronic gene 3, membrane (M) protein gene, bicistronic gene 5, and N protein gene in the order of 5'-3'. The overall nucleic acid structures of these encoding regions of TCoV were very similar to the homologous regions of IBV. The consensus transcription-regulating sequence (TRS) of IBV, CT(T/G)AACAA, was highly conserved in TCoV genome at the levels of nucleotide sequence and location in regarding to the initiation codon of individual genes. Pair-wise comparison of gene 3, M gene, gene 5, or N gene sequences with their counterparts of IBV revealed high levels (82.1-92.0%) of similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on the deduced amino acid sequences of S, M, or N protein demonstrated that TCoV was clustered within the same genomic lineage as the IBV strains while all the other mammalian coronaviruses were grouped into separate clusters corresponding to antigenic groups I or II. There were substantial differences of S protein sequence between TCoV and IBV with only 33.8-33.9% of similarity.

Animals↗

Existence of gene 5 indicates close genomic relationship of Turkey coronavirus to infectious bronchitis virus.

A segment of genomic RNA extending from the 3'-end of the membrane (M) protein gene to the 5'-end of the nucleocapsid (N) protein gene of Turkey coronavirus (TCV) was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primers were derived from the corresponding sequences of Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The PCR products were cloned and sequenced and their nucleic acid structure and similarity to the published sequences of IBV were analyzed. Gene 5 containing two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs), 5a and 5b, was localized between M and N genes of TCV. The overall nucleotide sequences of the amplified regions from TCV isolates shared 88.4% to 91.8% similarity to the corresponding region of IBV strains. The consensus transcription-associated sequence of IBV, CTTAACAA, was highly conserved in the TCV genome with regard to nucleotide sequence and location in terms of the initiation codons of the genes 5 and N. The similarities between the predicted amino acid sequences of ORFs 5a and 5b of TCV isolates and the homologous genes of IBV strains were 85.4% to 94.0%. The results indicate the existence of gene 5 in the genome of TCV and a close relatedness of the TCV gene 5 to the IBV gene 5 in location and nucleotide sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗