As viroses causadas pelo Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) e Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) têm sido relatadas com frequência em cultivos de tomateiro e outras solanáceas no Brasil. Por compartilharem o mesmo vetor, a mosca-branca B. tabaci MEAM1, hospedeiros comuns e estarem presentes nas principais regiões produtoras, infecções mistas desses dois vírus são comuns em tomateiros. Em uma infecção mista, as diferentes espécies de vírus podem interagir, resultando em sinergismo, antagonismo ou neutralismo. Estudos referentes às interações destes dois vírus quando em infecções mistas, ainda são escassos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da prévia aquisição do ToSRV por B. tabaci MEAM1 na subsequente taxa de transmissão e no período de retenção do ToCV pelo inseto. Além disso, avaliou-se o efeito dos princípios ativos cloridrato de cartape, ciantraniliprole e flupiradifurone no controle das transmissões primária e secundária desses vírus por B. tabaci para tomateiros. Para avaliar o efeito do begomovírus em parâmetros de transmissão do crinivírus por B. tabaci MEAM1 foram comparados os seguintes tratamentos: 1) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram apenas o ToSRV; 2) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram somente o ToCV; 3) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram inicialmente o ToSRV e em seguida o ToCV (ToSRV → ToCV); 4) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram os vírus simultaneamente de uma mesma planta fonte (ToSRV+ToCV) e 5) plantas inoculadas com insetos livres de vírus (controle). Quarenta dias após, as plantas foram avaliadas por RT-PCR e RCA-PCR para a detecção do ToCV e do ToSRV, respectivamente. Nos ensaios para avaliar a eficiência dos inseticidas no controle da simulação da transmissão primária dos vírus, insetos virulíferos foram liberados em gaiolas individuais contendo plantas de tomate sadias pulverizadas com os inseticidas de acordo com cada tratamento. A simulação da transmissão secundária foi feita através da liberação de adultos de B. tabaci MEAM1 livres de vírus, em gaiolas contendo tomateiros sadios e infectados por ToSRV+ToCV pulverizados com cada inseticida. Da mesma forma, aos 40 dias após a primeira liberação, amostras de todas as plantas foram coletadas e posteriormente avaliadas por RT-PCR e RCA-PCR para detecção do ToCV e ToSRV, respectivamente. O ToSRV previamente ou simultaneamente adquirido pela B. tabaci MEAM1 não interferiu significativamente na taxa de transmissão do ToCV para tomateiros, 24 h após a aquisição. No entanto, quando o vetor adquiriu os vírus simultaneamente, a taxa de transmissão do ToCV foi incrementada no 2° e 3° dias após a aquisição por B. tabaci. O período de retenção do crinivírus foi de três dias conforme relatado anteriormente. Nenhum dos inseticidas foi eficiente em controlar as simulações das transmissões primária e secundária do ToSRV+ToCV por B. tabaci MEAM1 para tomateiros. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho demostram a importância em conhecer as interações vírus-vetor-planta para que as estratégias de manejo sejam melhor delineadas e efetivas. Demostram também que o uso de inseticidas deve fazer parte de um manejo integrado com outras medidas que devem ser adotadas em larga escala. / Virus diseases caused by Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) and Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) have been reported frequently in tomato and other solanaceous crops in Brazil. By sharing the same vector, the whitefly B. tabaci MEAM1, common hosts and present in the major producing regions, tomato plants infected with both viruses is common. In a mixed infection, different virus species may interact, resulting in synergism, antagonism or neutralism. Studies regarding the interactions between these two viruses when in mixed infections are still scarce. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the previous acquisition of ToSRV by B. tabaci MEAM1 on the subsequent transmission rate and on the retention period of ToCV by the adult whitefly. In addition, the effect of the insecticides cartape chloridate, cyantraniliprole and flupiradifurone on the control of the simultaneous transmission of these viruses by B. tabaci to tomatoes was evaluated. To evaluate the effect of the begomovirus on the transmission parameters of the crinivirus by B. tabaci, the following treatments were compared: 1) plants inoculated with whiteflies that only acquired ToSRV; 2) plants inoculated with whiteflies that only acquired ToCV; 3) plants inoculated with whiteflies that acquired ToSRV followed by ToCV (ToSRV → ToCV); 4) plants inoculated with whiteflies that acquired both viruses simultaneously (ToSRV + ToCV) and 5) plants inoculated with virus-free whitelflies (control). Forty days after inoculation all plants were evaluated by RT-PCR and RCA-PCR for the detection of ToCV and ToSRV, respectively. In assays to evaluate the efficiency of insecticides in controlling the simulation of the primary transmission of ToSRV+ToCV, viruliferous insects were released into individual cages containing healthy tomato plants sprayed with the insecticides according to each treatment. Simulation of the secondary transmission was done by the release of virus free B. tabaci in cages containing ToSRV + ToCV infected and healthy tomato plants sprayed with each insecticide. In the same way, at 40 days after the first whiteflies release, samples from all plants were collected and evaluated by RT-PCR and RCA-PCR for the detection of ToCV and ToSRV, respectively. When B. tabaci MEAM1 acquired ToCV simultaneously or after ToSRV acquisition, the gegomovirus did not interfere with the ToCV transmission rate in tomato plants 24 h after aquisition. When the vector acquired the virus simultaneously, the ToCV transmission rate was increased on the 2nd and 3rd days after B. tabaci virus acquisition. The retention period of the crinivirus was three days, as previously reported. None of the insecticides were efficient in controlling the simulations of the primary and secondary transmissions of ToSRV+ToCV by B. tabaci MEAM1 to tomato plants. The results obtained in this work demonstrate the importance of knowing the virus-vector-plant interactions, so that the management strategies are better delineated and effective. They also show that the use of insecticides should be part of integrated management with other measures that should be adopted on a large scale.

Two species of Cryptosporidium are routinely found in pigs: Cryptosporidium suis and Cryptosporidium pig genotype II. Identification of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes currently relies on molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (RFLP) or gene sequencing. However their applications are limited in identification of mixed infections. To overcome this problem, novel species specific primers were developed in this study. A total of 457 pig fecal samples were collected and examined using microscopy and molecular tools including PCR-RFLP, species or genus specific nested PCR and sequencing. Of these, 12.8 % were microscopicaly positive for oocysts presence and 36.5 % using molecular methods. While PCR-RFLP with genus specific primers revealed 1 case of C. suis and Cryptosporidium pig genotype II mixed infection only, nested PCR with species specific primers identified 41 cases of mixed infections. Our results showed that C. suis is infectious for all age categories of pigs and Cryptosporidium pig genotype II has been found in animals older than 6 weeks of age. Morphometric analysis proved oocyst size difference between both pig specific Cryptosporidium spp. Histological examination revealed that Cryptosporidium pig genotype II infects epithelia of both small and large intestine.

As viroses causadas pelo Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) e Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) têm sido relatadas com frequência em cultivos de tomateiro e outras solanáceas no Brasil. Por compartilharem o mesmo vetor, a mosca-branca B. tabaci MEAM1, hospedeiros comuns e estarem presentes nas principais regiões produtoras, infecções mistas desses dois vírus são comuns em tomateiros. Em uma infecção mista, as diferentes espécies de vírus podem interagir, resultando em sinergismo, antagonismo ou neutralismo. Estudos referentes às interações destes dois vírus quando em infecções mistas, ainda são escassos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da prévia aquisição do ToSRV por B. tabaci MEAM1 na subsequente taxa de transmissão e no período de retenção do ToCV pelo inseto. Além disso, avaliou-se o efeito dos princípios ativos cloridrato de cartape, ciantraniliprole e flupiradifurone no controle das transmissões primária e secundária desses vírus por B. tabaci para tomateiros. Para avaliar o efeito do begomovírus em parâmetros de transmissão do crinivírus por B. tabaci MEAM1 foram comparados os seguintes tratamentos: 1) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram apenas o ToSRV; 2) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram somente o ToCV; 3) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram inicialmente o ToSRV e em seguida o ToCV (ToSRV → ToCV); 4) plantas inoculadas com insetos que adquiriram os vírus simultaneamente de uma mesma planta fonte (ToSRV+ToCV) e 5) plantas inoculadas com insetos livres de vírus (controle). Quarenta dias após, as plantas foram avaliadas por RT-PCR e RCA-PCR para a detecção do ToCV e do ToSRV, respectivamente. Nos ensaios para avaliar a eficiência dos inseticidas no controle da simulação da transmissão primária dos vírus, insetos virulíferos foram liberados em gaiolas individuais contendo plantas de tomate sadias pulverizadas com os inseticidas de acordo com cada tratamento. A simulação da transmissão secundária foi feita através da liberação de adultos de B. tabaci MEAM1 livres de vírus, em gaiolas contendo tomateiros sadios e infectados por ToSRV+ToCV pulverizados com cada inseticida. Da mesma forma, aos 40 dias após a primeira liberação, amostras de todas as plantas foram coletadas e posteriormente avaliadas por RT-PCR e RCA-PCR para detecção do ToCV e ToSRV, respectivamente. O ToSRV previamente ou simultaneamente adquirido pela B. tabaci MEAM1 não interferiu significativamente na taxa de transmissão do ToCV para tomateiros, 24 h após a aquisição. No entanto, quando o vetor adquiriu os vírus simultaneamente, a taxa de transmissão do ToCV foi incrementada no 2° e 3° dias após a aquisição por B. tabaci. O período de retenção do crinivírus foi de três dias conforme relatado anteriormente. Nenhum dos inseticidas foi eficiente em controlar as simulações das transmissões primária e secundária do ToSRV+ToCV por B. tabaci MEAM1 para tomateiros. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho demostram a importância em conhecer as interações vírus-vetor-planta para que as estratégias de manejo sejam melhor delineadas e efetivas. Demostram também que o uso de inseticidas deve fazer parte de um manejo integrado com outras medidas que devem ser adotadas em larga escala. / Virus diseases caused by Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) and Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) have been reported frequently in tomato and other solanaceous crops in Brazil. By sharing the same vector, the whitefly B. tabaci MEAM1, common hosts and present in the major producing regions, tomato plants infected with both viruses is common. In a mixed infection, different virus species may interact, resulting in synergism, antagonism or neutralism. Studies regarding the interactions between these two viruses when in mixed infections are still scarce. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the previous acquisition of ToSRV by B. tabaci MEAM1 on the subsequent transmission rate and on the retention period of ToCV by the adult whitefly. In addition, the effect of the insecticides cartape chloridate, cyantraniliprole and flupiradifurone on the control of the simultaneous transmission of these viruses by B. tabaci to tomatoes was evaluated. To evaluate the effect of the begomovirus on the transmission parameters of the crinivirus by B. tabaci, the following treatments were compared: 1) plants inoculated with whiteflies that only acquired ToSRV; 2) plants inoculated with whiteflies that only acquired ToCV; 3) plants inoculated with whiteflies that acquired ToSRV followed by ToCV (ToSRV → ToCV); 4) plants inoculated with whiteflies that acquired both viruses simultaneously (ToSRV + ToCV) and 5) plants inoculated with virus-free whitelflies (control). Forty days after inoculation all plants were evaluated by RT-PCR and RCA-PCR for the detection of ToCV and ToSRV, respectively. In assays to evaluate the efficiency of insecticides in controlling the simulation of the primary transmission of ToSRV+ToCV, viruliferous insects were released into individual cages containing healthy tomato plants sprayed with the insecticides according to each treatment. Simulation of the secondary transmission was done by the release of virus free B. tabaci in cages containing ToSRV + ToCV infected and healthy tomato plants sprayed with each insecticide. In the same way, at 40 days after the first whiteflies release, samples from all plants were collected and evaluated by RT-PCR and RCA-PCR for the detection of ToCV and ToSRV, respectively. When B. tabaci MEAM1 acquired ToCV simultaneously or after ToSRV acquisition, the gegomovirus did not interfere with the ToCV transmission rate in tomato plants 24 h after aquisition. When the vector acquired the virus simultaneously, the ToCV transmission rate was increased on the 2nd and 3rd days after B. tabaci virus acquisition. The retention period of the crinivirus was three days, as previously reported. None of the insecticides were efficient in controlling the simulations of the primary and secondary transmissions of ToSRV+ToCV by B. tabaci MEAM1 to tomato plants. The results obtained in this work demonstrate the importance of knowing the virus-vector-plant interactions, so that the management strategies are better delineated and effective. They also show that the use of insecticides should be part of integrated management with other measures that should be adopted on a large scale.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2014-10-02T20:53:47Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Sueli Meira da Silva Dias - 2006.pdf: 822890 bytes, checksum: 1982b1c5fbad1e0a077fcf7876d69f21 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-02T21:07:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Sueli Meira da Silva Dias - 2006.pdf: 822890 bytes, checksum: 1982b1c5fbad1e0a077fcf7876d69f21 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-02T21:07:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Sueli Meira da Silva Dias - 2006.pdf: 822890 bytes, checksum: 1982b1c5fbad1e0a077fcf7876d69f21 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-06-28 / Thirty cronic chagasic pacients were submitted to specific treatment against Chaga’s disease. The drug of choice was Benznidazole. After treatment laboratorial exams such as parasitological and imunological aiming terapheutic validation were performed. The parasitological analysis is represented by post-treatment hemoculture of 30 cronic chagasic pacients and demonstrated the presence of promastigotes and epimastigotes in 10% (3/30) of pacients, probably characterizing a mixed infection. These hemocultures were named 371, 437 and 438. From these three pacients two were from Goias (GO) and one from Minas Gerais (MG) which are endemic regions to Chaga’s disease as well as to Leishmaniasis which justified the study of this probable co-infection. The work was developed in two phases: in the first phase it was made the biological experimental study of the mixed sotck and in the second phase it was made the confirmation of the Leishmania spp gender through PCR technique. In the experimental biological study the model used was Balb/c isogenic mice and we made an intraperitoneal inoculation of the stocks and we analysed the following parameters: parasitism, hemoculture, sorology by IFI and histopathology. The parasitism observation occured between 48 hours periods through 90 days, and the hemoculture observations occured weekly through 120 days and resulted positive only in mice innoculated with stock 371. The sorology showed anti-T. cruzi antibodies titers in mice innoculated with stocks 371 and 437. The histopathology revealed the presence of amastigotes in tissues cardiac slides from mice innoculated with stock 438, showing that only the epimastigotes forms are present in the mixed stocks and are viable to infect the experimental model used in this work. The confirmation of the Leishmania subgenus envolved in this co-infection was possible through molecular biology techniques. In PCRRFLP, after digestion of PCR products by Hae III restriction enzymes which has specific clivage sites for L. (Viannia) subgender. The samples represented by 371, 437 and 438 stocks and the controls of L. (L.) amazonensis and L. (L.) chagasi did not suffer clivage of its amplified segments in PCR. Only the control constituted by L. (V.) braziliensis suffered clivage resulting in fragments of aproximately 40 and 80 bp confirming undoubtfully that the samples represented by the mixed stocks 371, 437 and 438 isolated from cronic chagasic pacients cantained L. (Leishmania) spp. / Trinta pacientes chagásicos crônicos foram submetidos ao tratamento específico para a doença de Chagas. A droga utilizada foi o Benznidazol. Após o tratamento foram realizados exames laboratoriais compreendendo análises parasitológicas e imunológicas, com a finalidade de validação terapêutica. A análise parasitológica representada pela hemocultura evidenciou a presença concomitante de promastigotas e epimastigotas em 10% (3/30) delas, caracterizando uma provável infecção mista. Essas hemoculturas foram denominadas 371, 437 e 438. Dos três pacientes, dois são procedentes do estado de Goiás (GO) e um do estado de Minas Gerais (MG), regiões endêmicas tanto para a doença de Chagas como para a leishmaniose, o que justificou o estudo desta provável co-infecção. O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas etapas. Na primeira etapa, foi realizado o estudo biológico experimental dos estoques mistos e na segunda, a confirmação do gênero Leishmania spp nos estoques mistos, através da técnica de PCR. No estudo biológico experimental, foram utilizados como modelos camundongos Balb/c isogênicos, realizando-se inoculação intraperitoneal dos estoques. Posteriormente foi analisada a parasitemia, hemocultura, sorologia por IFI e histopatologia. A observação da parasitemia ocorreu a cada 48 horas pelo período de 90 dias, e a hemocultura foi analisada semanalmente por 120 dias, resultando positiva apenas nos camundongos inoculados com o estoque 371. A IFI detectou apenas anticorpos anti-T. cruzi, nos camundongos inoculados com os estoques 371 e 437. A análise histopatológica revelou presença de ninhos de amastigotas nos cortes cardíacos dos camundongos inoculados com o estoque 437, demonstrando no conjunto dessas análises, que apenas as formas epimastigotas presentes nos estoques mistos se mostraram viáveis em infectar o modelo experimental utilizado. A presença de protozoários do gênero Leishmania nos estoques foi confirmada mediante realização de PCR. Na PCR-RFLP, o produto da amplificação foi tratado com a enzima de restrição Hae III que tem sítios específicos de clivagem para o subgênero L. (Viannia). As amostras representadas pelos estoques 371, 437 e 438 e os controles de L. (L.) amazonensis e L. (L.) chagasi não sofreram clivagem de seus segmentos amplificados na PCR. Apenas o controle constituído de L. (V.) braziliensis sofreu clivagem, resultando fragmentos de aproximadamente 40 e 80 pb, confirmando inequivocamente que as amostras representadas pelos estoques mistos 371, 437 e 438 isoladas de pacientes chagásicos crônicos realmente continham L. (Leishmania) spp.

Despite the global licensure of two live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines, Rotarix® and RotaTeq®, rotavirus remains the major cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea in young mammals and the need for further development of additional rotavirus vaccines, especially vaccines effective against regional strains in developing country settings, is increasing. The design and formulation of new effective multivalent rotavirus vaccines is complicated by the wide rotavirus strain diversity. Novel rotavirus strains emerge periodically due to the propensity of rotaviruses to evolve using mechanisms such as point mutation, genome segment reassortment, genome segment recombination and interspecies transmission. Mutations occurring within the primer binding regions targeted by the current commonly employed sequence-dependent genotyping techniques lead to difficulties in genotyping novel mutant rotavirus strains. Therefore, use of sequence-independent techniques coupled with online rotavirus genotyping tools will help to understand the complete epidemiology of the circulating strains which, in turn, is vital for developing intervention measures such as vaccine and anti-viral therapies. In this study, sequence-independent cDNA synthesis that uses a single set of oligonucleotides that do not require prior sequence knowledge of the rotavirus strains, 454® pyrosequencing, and an online rotavirus genotyping tool, RotaC, were used to swiftly characterise the whole genome of rotaviruses. The robustness of this approach was demonstrated in characterising the complete genetic constellations and evolutionary origin of selected human rotavirus strains that emerged in the past two decades worldwide, human rotavirus strains frequently detected in Africa, and the whole genomes of some common strains frequently detected in bovine species. Most of the characterised strains emerged either through intra- or interspecies genome segment reassortment processes. The methods used in this study also allowed determination of the whole consensus genome sequence of multiple rotavirus variants present in a single stool sample and the elucidation of the evolutionary mechanisms that explained their origin. The 454® pyrosequence-generated data revealed evidence of intergenotype rotavirus genome segment recombination between the genome segments 6 (VP6), 8 (NSP2) and 10 (NSP4) of Wa-like and DS-1-like origin. The use of next generation sequencing technology combined with sequence-independent amplification of the rotavirus genomes allowed the determination of the consensus nucleotide sequence for each of the genome segments of the selected study strains directly from stool sample. The consensus nucleotide sequences of the genome segments encoding VP2, VP4, VP6 and VP7 of some of the study strains were codon optimised for insect cell expression and used to generate recombinant baculoviruses. The Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system was used to generate chimaeric rotavirus virus-like particles (RV-VLPs). These chimaeric RV-VLPs contained inner capsids (VP2 and VP6) derived from a South African RVA/Humanwt/ ZAF/GR10924/1999/G9P[6] strain, on to which outer capsid layer proteins composed of various combinations of VP4 and VP7 were assembled. The outer capsid proteins were derived from the dsRNA of G2, G8, G9 or G12 strains associated with either P[4], P[6] or P[8] genotypes that were directly extracted from human stool faecal specimens. The structures of these chimaeric RV-VLPs were morphologically evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on the size and morphology of the particles, doublelayered (dRV-VLPs) and triple-layered RV-VLPs (tRV-VLPs) were produced. Recombinant rotavirus proteins readily assembled into dRV-VLPs, whereas approximately 10 – 30% of the assembled RV-VLPs from insect expressed recombinant VP2/6/7/4 were chimaeric tRVVLPs. These RV-VLPs will be evaluated in future animal studies as potential non-live rotavirus vaccine candidates. The novel approach of producing RV-VLPs introduced in this study, namely by using the consensus nucleotide sequence derived from dsRNA extracted directly from clinical specimens, should speed up vaccine research and development by bypassing the need to adapt the viruses to tissue culture and circumventing some other problems associated with cell culture adaptation as well. Thus, it is now possible to generate RV-VLPs for evaluation as non-live vaccine candidates for any human or animal field rotavirus strain. / Thesis (PhD (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Despite the global licensure of two live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines, Rotarix® and RotaTeq®, rotavirus remains the major cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea in young mammals and the need for further development of additional rotavirus vaccines, especially vaccines effective against regional strains in developing country settings, is increasing. The design and formulation of new effective multivalent rotavirus vaccines is complicated by the wide rotavirus strain diversity. Novel rotavirus strains emerge periodically due to the propensity of rotaviruses to evolve using mechanisms such as point mutation, genome segment reassortment, genome segment recombination and interspecies transmission. Mutations occurring within the primer binding regions targeted by the current commonly employed sequence-dependent genotyping techniques lead to difficulties in genotyping novel mutant rotavirus strains. Therefore, use of sequence-independent techniques coupled with online rotavirus genotyping tools will help to understand the complete epidemiology of the circulating strains which, in turn, is vital for developing intervention measures such as vaccine and anti-viral therapies. In this study, sequence-independent cDNA synthesis that uses a single set of oligonucleotides that do not require prior sequence knowledge of the rotavirus strains, 454® pyrosequencing, and an online rotavirus genotyping tool, RotaC, were used to swiftly characterise the whole genome of rotaviruses. The robustness of this approach was demonstrated in characterising the complete genetic constellations and evolutionary origin of selected human rotavirus strains that emerged in the past two decades worldwide, human rotavirus strains frequently detected in Africa, and the whole genomes of some common strains frequently detected in bovine species. Most of the characterised strains emerged either through intra- or interspecies genome segment reassortment processes. The methods used in this study also allowed determination of the whole consensus genome sequence of multiple rotavirus variants present in a single stool sample and the elucidation of the evolutionary mechanisms that explained their origin. The 454® pyrosequence-generated data revealed evidence of intergenotype rotavirus genome segment recombination between the genome segments 6 (VP6), 8 (NSP2) and 10 (NSP4) of Wa-like and DS-1-like origin. The use of next generation sequencing technology combined with sequence-independent amplification of the rotavirus genomes allowed the determination of the consensus nucleotide sequence for each of the genome segments of the selected study strains directly from stool sample. The consensus nucleotide sequences of the genome segments encoding VP2, VP4, VP6 and VP7 of some of the study strains were codon optimised for insect cell expression and used to generate recombinant baculoviruses. The Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system was used to generate chimaeric rotavirus virus-like particles (RV-VLPs). These chimaeric RV-VLPs contained inner capsids (VP2 and VP6) derived from a South African RVA/Humanwt/ ZAF/GR10924/1999/G9P[6] strain, on to which outer capsid layer proteins composed of various combinations of VP4 and VP7 were assembled. The outer capsid proteins were derived from the dsRNA of G2, G8, G9 or G12 strains associated with either P[4], P[6] or P[8] genotypes that were directly extracted from human stool faecal specimens. The structures of these chimaeric RV-VLPs were morphologically evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on the size and morphology of the particles, doublelayered (dRV-VLPs) and triple-layered RV-VLPs (tRV-VLPs) were produced. Recombinant rotavirus proteins readily assembled into dRV-VLPs, whereas approximately 10 – 30% of the assembled RV-VLPs from insect expressed recombinant VP2/6/7/4 were chimaeric tRVVLPs. These RV-VLPs will be evaluated in future animal studies as potential non-live rotavirus vaccine candidates. The novel approach of producing RV-VLPs introduced in this study, namely by using the consensus nucleotide sequence derived from dsRNA extracted directly from clinical specimens, should speed up vaccine research and development by bypassing the need to adapt the viruses to tissue culture and circumventing some other problems associated with cell culture adaptation as well. Thus, it is now possible to generate RV-VLPs for evaluation as non-live vaccine candidates for any human or animal field rotavirus strain. / Thesis (PhD (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Durant une infection pulmonaire, les porcs sont souvent infectés par plus d’un microorganisme. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae et le virus du syndrome reproducteur et respiratoire porcin (VSRRP) sont des pathogènes qui peuvent infecter de manière simultanée les porcs. L’objectif du présent projet est d’étudier l’interaction entre ces pathogènes. Les deux lignées cellulaires permissives au VSRRP utilisées sont les cellules « St-Jude porcine lung » (SJPL) et MARC-145. Les cellules ont été pré-infectées avec le VSRRP, puis infectées avec A. pleuropneumoniae. Un dosage de la lactate déshydrogénase a montré qu’une co-infection VSRRP-A. pleuropneumoniae comparée à une infection simple augmente significativement la cytotoxicité. Dans les mêmes conditions expérimentales, une pré-infection virale ne semble pas affecter l’adhérence d’A. pleuropneumoniae aux cellules. À l’aide de tests ELISA, il a été possible de démontrer la production d’IL-8 et d’INF-γ lorsqu’il y a infection des cellules. Pour ce qui est du TNF-α, d’IL-6 et d’IL-10, ces cytokines ne sont pas détectées en présence des pathogènes étudiés. Des expériences de pré-infection bactérienne suivie d’infection virale ont également été réalisées. Il a été démontré que la pré-infection avec A. pleuropneumoniae diminuait la réplication du VSRRP chez la lignée cellulaire SJPL, mais cela n’est pas observé avec la lignée cellulaire MARC-145. Les résultats préliminaires ont démontré que cette diminution de la réplication serait causée par une molécule de faible poids moléculaire sécrétée dans le surnageant bactérien et celle-ci serait résistante à la chaleur. Les lignées cellulaires SJPL et MARC-145 représentent de bons modèles pour l’étude des infections mixtes des voies respiratoires du porc. / The respiratory tract of pigs is often colonized by more than one pathogen during an infection. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are pathogens that can be associated with co-infection. The objective of this project was to study interactions between A. pleuropneumoniae and PRRSV during mixed infection. The PRRSV-permissive cell lines, St-Jude porcine lung (SJPL) and MARC-145 were used. In the first part, cells were pre-infected with PPRSV followed by an infection with A. pleuropneumoniae. Results obtained with a lactate dehydrogenase test showed that a co-infection resulted in a greater cytotoxicity then the single infections. The adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to non-infected or PRRSV-infected cells was similar. Based on ELISAs tests, it was found that the cells produced IL-8 and IFN-γ when they were infected, but TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were not detected. In the second part, cells were pre-infected with A. pleuropneumoniae followed by viral infection. The results showed that a pre-infection with A. pleuropneumoniae decreased PRRSV replication in SJPL cells, whereas A. pleuropneumoniae did not impair PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells. Preliminary results indicate that a molecule secreted by A. pleuropneumoniae is the factor impairing PRRSV replication in SJPL cells. The factor is probably a small molecular weight molecule that is heat-resistant. In conclusion, both cell lines allowed the study of A. pleuropneumoniae and PRSSV interactions during a mixed-infection and these models could be adapted to study interactions of other swine pathogens.

Durant une infection pulmonaire, les porcs sont souvent infectés par plus d’un microorganisme. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae et le virus du syndrome reproducteur et respiratoire porcin (VSRRP) sont des pathogènes qui peuvent infecter de manière simultanée les porcs. L’objectif du présent projet est d’étudier l’interaction entre ces pathogènes. Les deux lignées cellulaires permissives au VSRRP utilisées sont les cellules « St-Jude porcine lung » (SJPL) et MARC-145. Les cellules ont été pré-infectées avec le VSRRP, puis infectées avec A. pleuropneumoniae. Un dosage de la lactate déshydrogénase a montré qu’une co-infection VSRRP-A. pleuropneumoniae comparée à une infection simple augmente significativement la cytotoxicité. Dans les mêmes conditions expérimentales, une pré-infection virale ne semble pas affecter l’adhérence d’A. pleuropneumoniae aux cellules. À l’aide de tests ELISA, il a été possible de démontrer la production d’IL-8 et d’INF-γ lorsqu’il y a infection des cellules. Pour ce qui est du TNF-α, d’IL-6 et d’IL-10, ces cytokines ne sont pas détectées en présence des pathogènes étudiés. Des expériences de pré-infection bactérienne suivie d’infection virale ont également été réalisées. Il a été démontré que la pré-infection avec A. pleuropneumoniae diminuait la réplication du VSRRP chez la lignée cellulaire SJPL, mais cela n’est pas observé avec la lignée cellulaire MARC-145. Les résultats préliminaires ont démontré que cette diminution de la réplication serait causée par une molécule de faible poids moléculaire sécrétée dans le surnageant bactérien et celle-ci serait résistante à la chaleur. Les lignées cellulaires SJPL et MARC-145 représentent de bons modèles pour l’étude des infections mixtes des voies respiratoires du porc. / The respiratory tract of pigs is often colonized by more than one pathogen during an infection. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are pathogens that can be associated with co-infection. The objective of this project was to study interactions between A. pleuropneumoniae and PRRSV during mixed infection. The PRRSV-permissive cell lines, St-Jude porcine lung (SJPL) and MARC-145 were used. In the first part, cells were pre-infected with PPRSV followed by an infection with A. pleuropneumoniae. Results obtained with a lactate dehydrogenase test showed that a co-infection resulted in a greater cytotoxicity then the single infections. The adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to non-infected or PRRSV-infected cells was similar. Based on ELISAs tests, it was found that the cells produced IL-8 and IFN-γ when they were infected, but TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were not detected. In the second part, cells were pre-infected with A. pleuropneumoniae followed by viral infection. The results showed that a pre-infection with A. pleuropneumoniae decreased PRRSV replication in SJPL cells, whereas A. pleuropneumoniae did not impair PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells. Preliminary results indicate that a molecule secreted by A. pleuropneumoniae is the factor impairing PRRSV replication in SJPL cells. The factor is probably a small molecular weight molecule that is heat-resistant. In conclusion, both cell lines allowed the study of A. pleuropneumoniae and PRSSV interactions during a mixed-infection and these models could be adapted to study interactions of other swine pathogens.

When tomato Craigella is infected with Verticillium dahliae Dvd-E6 (Dvd-E6), a tolerant state is induced with substantial pathogen load, but few symptoms. Unexpectedly, these plants are more robust and taller with Dvd-E6 behaving as an endophyte. Some endophytes can protect plants from virulent pathogens. This research was undertaken to improve understanding of the cellular and molecular nature of Verticillium tolerance in tomato, especially whether infection by Dvd-E6 can protect Craigella from virulent V. dahliae, race 1 (Vd1). To permit mixed infection experiments a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based assay was developed and used for differentiating Dvd-E6 from Vd1, when present in mixed infections. The results suggested that protection involves molecular interplay between Dvd-E6 and Vd1 in susceptible Craigella (CS) tomatoes, resulting in restricted Vd1 colonization. Further studies showed a dramatic reduction of Vd1 spores and mycelia. To examine genetic changes that account for these biological changes, a customized DNA chip (TVR) was used to analyze defense gene mRNA levels. The defense gene response was categorized into four groups. Group 1 was characterized by strong induction of defense genes followed by suppression. However, Vd1-induced gene suppression was blocked by Dvd-E6 in mixed infections. These genes included some transcription factors and PR proteins such as class IV chitinases and beta glucanases which are known to target fungal spores and mycelia. Experiments also were repeated with a Craigella resistant (CR) isoline containing a fully active Ve locus (Ve1+ and Ve2+). The biological results showed that the presence of the Ve1+ allele resulted in restricted Vd1 colonization and, in a mixed infection with Dvd-E6, Vd1 was completely eliminated from the plant stem. Surprisingly, there was no significant increase in defense gene mRNAs. Rather, elevated basal levels of defense gene products appeared sufficient to combat pathogen attack. To investigate functional effects of the genetic changes observed, an inducible RNAi knockdown vector for a defense gene (TUS15G8) with unknown function (pMW4-TUS15G8) as well as the Ve2 resistance gene (pMW-Ve2) was prepared as a initial step for future transformation analyses. Taken together the results reveal intriguing but complex biological and molecular changes in mixed infections, which remain a basis for future experiments and potential agricultural benefits. / Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan