Over 80% of the newly emerging infectious diseases are caused by RNA viruses. Major global problems associated with the development of vaccines against the RNA virus are their high genetic and antigenic diversity. Hence, effective control of epidemics with newly emerging RNA viruses require improved vaccines which are either specific to the new strain or broadly effective even when new viral strains emerge. The main focus of this dissertation is to develop epidemic vaccines using these two approaches. Using a newly emerged swine enteric virus called porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) as a model, our first goal was to develop a quick and easy method for rapid response vaccines with potential applicability to a range of RNA viruses. We hypothesized that the methods which can disrupt genomic RNA without impacting the structural integrity of the virus would result in attenuated vaccine with minimum replication in the host while inducing immune responses. As hypothesized, developed rapid response PEDV vaccine induced complete protection against the virulent challenge virus, while vaccine viral shedding was not detected in vaccinated pigs. To address the second problem of rapid viral evolution leading to vaccines becoming obsolete, we used swine influenza virus (SIV) as a model to develop and test a universal vaccine composed of peptides encoding conserved antigenic epitopes which are present in most influenza A viruses. Importantly, a novel amphiphilic invertible polymer (AIP) was used to address the well-recognized problem of poor antigenicity of peptides. We hypothesized that peptides encoding conserved epitopes when conjugated with an AIP will induce strong immune responses and protect against challenge virus. While the conserved epitopes were previously tested by others in mice, we were the first to test a combination of these epitopes in pigs. Pigs vaccinated with the peptide polymer vaccine mounted strong antibody responses against the epitopes indicating that the delivery system was effective. However, protection against replication of the challenge virus was delayed. In summary, the methods developed and tested in this body of work significantly contribute to the area of emergency response management in infectious disease outbreaks. / United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) / North Dakota State Agricultural Products Utilization Committee (ND APUC) / North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research (ND SABRE)

As doenças respiratórias são muito comuns na produção intensiva de suínos, já em javalis são escassas informações sobre prevalência, etiologia e apresentação clínico-patológica destas enfermidades. No entanto, a presença de patógenos respiratórios comuns entre javalis selvagens e confinados e suínos domésticos já foi relatada. Este trabalho descreve as principais lesões macroscópicas e histológicas de pneumonias de javalis e os agentes comumente envolvidos. Foram examinados pulmões de javalis, ao abate, provenientes de criatórios comerciais e a principal lesão macroscópica foi consolidação crânio-ventral dos lobos craniais e médios e lesões crônicas cursando com hiperplasia linfóide na histologia. O principal agente bacteriano detectado foi o Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (58,6%). Outros patógenos bacterianos detectados foram Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (48,8%), Haemophilus parasuis (49,6%), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (41,3%), Pasteurella multocida (9,1%) e Streptococcus suis (9,1%). Na segunda parte do trabalho, a pesquisa de patógenos virais foi direcionada para o Vírus da influenza suína (VIS) com objetivo de estudar o envolvimento em pneumonias de javalis de criatórios e a relação com agentes bacterianos encontrados. O vírus pandêmico A/H1N1/2009 foi detectado em 18,3% (11/60) e sua identidade foi confirmada por sequenciamento. A carga viral para H1N1 clássico variou de 4,58 a 6275 cópias/μL e para o H1N1 pandêmico, de 4,65 a 3863 cópias/μL. Nenhuma amostra apresentou título viral após a inoculação em ovos embrionados. As lesões histológicas principais foram broncopneumonia crônica difusa e pneumonia intersticial mononuclear leve, além de hiperplasia linfóide. As amostras positivas por RT-PCR para o VIS para o pH1N1 foram testadas por IHQ, sendo todas negativas para influenza A, mas todas eram positivas para M. hyopneumoniae. Quando testadas por bacteriologia, 18,2% das amostras foram positivas para P. multocida. O estudo mostrou que as pneumonias em javalis de criatório apresentaram lesões e patógenos associados similares aos encontrados em suínos domésticos ao abate. Este é o primeiro relato da infecção pelo vírus pH1N1 em javalis no Brasil. / Respiratory diseases are very common in swine intensive production, although in wild-boars the knowledge of the prevalence, etiology and clinic-pathological presentation of these diseases are very limited. However, the presence of common respiratory pathogens among wild-boar, captive wild-boar and domestic pigs has been reported. This paper describes the main macroscopic and histologic pneumonic lesions of captive wild-boars and pathogens commonly involved. Captive wild-boar lungs at slaughter were examined and the main macroscopic lesion observed was cranio-ventral consolidation of cranial and middle lobes and chronic lesions associated with lymphoid hyperplasia by histology. The main bacterial pathogen detected was Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (58.6%). Other bacterial pathogens detected were Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (48.8%), Haemophilus parasuis (49.6%), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (41.3%), Pasteurella multocida (9.1%) and Streptococcus suis (9.1%). In the second part of this work, the survey of viral pathogens was directed to swine influenza virus (SIV) in order to study the involvement in captive wild-boar pneumonias and the relation with bacterial pathogens. The A/H1N1/2009 pandemic virus was detected in 18.3% (11/60) and its identity was confirmed by sequencing. The classical H1N1 viral load ranged from 4.58 to 6275 copies/uL and the pandemic H1N1, from 4.65 to 3863 copies/uL. No samples had viral titers after inoculation in embryonated eggs. The main histological lesions were chronic diffuse bronchopneumonia and interstitial mononuclear pneumonia as well as mild lymphoid hyperplasia. Samples positive to pH1N1 were assayed by IHC for SIV, all with negative results, and to M. hyopneumoniae, all were positive. When assayed by bacteriology, 18.2% of samples were positive to P. multocida. This study showed that pneumonia in captive wild-boar had similar lesions and associated pathogens were similar to those found in domestic pigs at slaughter. This is the first report of pH1N1 virus infection in captive wild-boars in Brazil.

As doenças respiratórias são muito comuns na produção intensiva de suínos, já em javalis são escassas informações sobre prevalência, etiologia e apresentação clínico-patológica destas enfermidades. No entanto, a presença de patógenos respiratórios comuns entre javalis selvagens e confinados e suínos domésticos já foi relatada. Este trabalho descreve as principais lesões macroscópicas e histológicas de pneumonias de javalis e os agentes comumente envolvidos. Foram examinados pulmões de javalis, ao abate, provenientes de criatórios comerciais e a principal lesão macroscópica foi consolidação crânio-ventral dos lobos craniais e médios e lesões crônicas cursando com hiperplasia linfóide na histologia. O principal agente bacteriano detectado foi o Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (58,6%). Outros patógenos bacterianos detectados foram Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (48,8%), Haemophilus parasuis (49,6%), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (41,3%), Pasteurella multocida (9,1%) e Streptococcus suis (9,1%). Na segunda parte do trabalho, a pesquisa de patógenos virais foi direcionada para o Vírus da influenza suína (VIS) com objetivo de estudar o envolvimento em pneumonias de javalis de criatórios e a relação com agentes bacterianos encontrados. O vírus pandêmico A/H1N1/2009 foi detectado em 18,3% (11/60) e sua identidade foi confirmada por sequenciamento. A carga viral para H1N1 clássico variou de 4,58 a 6275 cópias/μL e para o H1N1 pandêmico, de 4,65 a 3863 cópias/μL. Nenhuma amostra apresentou título viral após a inoculação em ovos embrionados. As lesões histológicas principais foram broncopneumonia crônica difusa e pneumonia intersticial mononuclear leve, além de hiperplasia linfóide. As amostras positivas por RT-PCR para o VIS para o pH1N1 foram testadas por IHQ, sendo todas negativas para influenza A, mas todas eram positivas para M. hyopneumoniae. Quando testadas por bacteriologia, 18,2% das amostras foram positivas para P. multocida. O estudo mostrou que as pneumonias em javalis de criatório apresentaram lesões e patógenos associados similares aos encontrados em suínos domésticos ao abate. Este é o primeiro relato da infecção pelo vírus pH1N1 em javalis no Brasil. / Respiratory diseases are very common in swine intensive production, although in wild-boars the knowledge of the prevalence, etiology and clinic-pathological presentation of these diseases are very limited. However, the presence of common respiratory pathogens among wild-boar, captive wild-boar and domestic pigs has been reported. This paper describes the main macroscopic and histologic pneumonic lesions of captive wild-boars and pathogens commonly involved. Captive wild-boar lungs at slaughter were examined and the main macroscopic lesion observed was cranio-ventral consolidation of cranial and middle lobes and chronic lesions associated with lymphoid hyperplasia by histology. The main bacterial pathogen detected was Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (58.6%). Other bacterial pathogens detected were Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (48.8%), Haemophilus parasuis (49.6%), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (41.3%), Pasteurella multocida (9.1%) and Streptococcus suis (9.1%). In the second part of this work, the survey of viral pathogens was directed to swine influenza virus (SIV) in order to study the involvement in captive wild-boar pneumonias and the relation with bacterial pathogens. The A/H1N1/2009 pandemic virus was detected in 18.3% (11/60) and its identity was confirmed by sequencing. The classical H1N1 viral load ranged from 4.58 to 6275 copies/uL and the pandemic H1N1, from 4.65 to 3863 copies/uL. No samples had viral titers after inoculation in embryonated eggs. The main histological lesions were chronic diffuse bronchopneumonia and interstitial mononuclear pneumonia as well as mild lymphoid hyperplasia. Samples positive to pH1N1 were assayed by IHC for SIV, all with negative results, and to M. hyopneumoniae, all were positive. When assayed by bacteriology, 18.2% of samples were positive to P. multocida. This study showed that pneumonia in captive wild-boar had similar lesions and associated pathogens were similar to those found in domestic pigs at slaughter. This is the first report of pH1N1 virus infection in captive wild-boars in Brazil.

As doenças respiratórias são muito comuns na produção intensiva de suínos, já em javalis são escassas informações sobre prevalência, etiologia e apresentação clínico-patológica destas enfermidades. No entanto, a presença de patógenos respiratórios comuns entre javalis selvagens e confinados e suínos domésticos já foi relatada. Este trabalho descreve as principais lesões macroscópicas e histológicas de pneumonias de javalis e os agentes comumente envolvidos. Foram examinados pulmões de javalis, ao abate, provenientes de criatórios comerciais e a principal lesão macroscópica foi consolidação crânio-ventral dos lobos craniais e médios e lesões crônicas cursando com hiperplasia linfóide na histologia. O principal agente bacteriano detectado foi o Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (58,6%). Outros patógenos bacterianos detectados foram Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (48,8%), Haemophilus parasuis (49,6%), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (41,3%), Pasteurella multocida (9,1%) e Streptococcus suis (9,1%). Na segunda parte do trabalho, a pesquisa de patógenos virais foi direcionada para o Vírus da influenza suína (VIS) com objetivo de estudar o envolvimento em pneumonias de javalis de criatórios e a relação com agentes bacterianos encontrados. O vírus pandêmico A/H1N1/2009 foi detectado em 18,3% (11/60) e sua identidade foi confirmada por sequenciamento. A carga viral para H1N1 clássico variou de 4,58 a 6275 cópias/μL e para o H1N1 pandêmico, de 4,65 a 3863 cópias/μL. Nenhuma amostra apresentou título viral após a inoculação em ovos embrionados. As lesões histológicas principais foram broncopneumonia crônica difusa e pneumonia intersticial mononuclear leve, além de hiperplasia linfóide. As amostras positivas por RT-PCR para o VIS para o pH1N1 foram testadas por IHQ, sendo todas negativas para influenza A, mas todas eram positivas para M. hyopneumoniae. Quando testadas por bacteriologia, 18,2% das amostras foram positivas para P. multocida. O estudo mostrou que as pneumonias em javalis de criatório apresentaram lesões e patógenos associados similares aos encontrados em suínos domésticos ao abate. Este é o primeiro relato da infecção pelo vírus pH1N1 em javalis no Brasil. / Respiratory diseases are very common in swine intensive production, although in wild-boars the knowledge of the prevalence, etiology and clinic-pathological presentation of these diseases are very limited. However, the presence of common respiratory pathogens among wild-boar, captive wild-boar and domestic pigs has been reported. This paper describes the main macroscopic and histologic pneumonic lesions of captive wild-boars and pathogens commonly involved. Captive wild-boar lungs at slaughter were examined and the main macroscopic lesion observed was cranio-ventral consolidation of cranial and middle lobes and chronic lesions associated with lymphoid hyperplasia by histology. The main bacterial pathogen detected was Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (58.6%). Other bacterial pathogens detected were Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (48.8%), Haemophilus parasuis (49.6%), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (41.3%), Pasteurella multocida (9.1%) and Streptococcus suis (9.1%). In the second part of this work, the survey of viral pathogens was directed to swine influenza virus (SIV) in order to study the involvement in captive wild-boar pneumonias and the relation with bacterial pathogens. The A/H1N1/2009 pandemic virus was detected in 18.3% (11/60) and its identity was confirmed by sequencing. The classical H1N1 viral load ranged from 4.58 to 6275 copies/uL and the pandemic H1N1, from 4.65 to 3863 copies/uL. No samples had viral titers after inoculation in embryonated eggs. The main histological lesions were chronic diffuse bronchopneumonia and interstitial mononuclear pneumonia as well as mild lymphoid hyperplasia. Samples positive to pH1N1 were assayed by IHC for SIV, all with negative results, and to M. hyopneumoniae, all were positive. When assayed by bacteriology, 18.2% of samples were positive to P. multocida. This study showed that pneumonia in captive wild-boar had similar lesions and associated pathogens were similar to those found in domestic pigs at slaughter. This is the first report of pH1N1 virus infection in captive wild-boars in Brazil.

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