Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:47:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 926741 bytes, checksum: 18d302c22a4907755b01b95cb9c1ea36 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-04 / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / The diseases associated with PCV2 (PCVAD) require various factors to occur, however, the virus infection is critical to the development of any one of the syndromes. The present study aimed to determine differences in serologic and viremic profiles for PCV2 in the swine breed Piau and a commercial line (Landrace x Large White x Pietrain) at a subclinically infected farm by the virus studied. The experiment was conducted at the Genetic Improvement Pig Farm (GMS), Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), in which it isn´t carried out vaccination against PCV2. This study conducted a cross-sectional sample of sows (> 2 parity), pigs for 1-3 weeks, 3-8 weeks and 8-22 weeks of age. The serum samples were used to measure the level of total antibodies by ELISA and quantitation of viremia by real time PCR. The results showed that, at the age of 3-8 weeks, the Piau breed piglets seroconverted earlier than the commercial line piglets and the Piau breed sows showed lower levels of total antibodies in relation to the commercial line. There were no differences in viremia between the different stages of production within each genetic group or between groups. This work provides evidence that the breed Piau has a different humoral immune response than the commercial line studied when facing a natural PCV2 subclinical infection. The results of this study reinforce the importance of the conservation of native breeds that have not been used for development of high productivity commercial lines. / As doenças associadas ao PCV2 (PCVAD) necessitam de vários fatores para ocorrer, no entanto, a infecção pelo vírus é fundamental para o desenvolvimento de qualquer uma das síndromes. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar diferenças nos perfis sorológicos e virêmicos para o PCV2 entre suínos da raça Piau e de uma linhagem comercial (Landrace x Large White x Pietrain) em uma granja subclinicamente infectada pelo vírus estudado. O experimento foi realizado na Granja de Melhoramento Genético (GMS) da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), na qual não é realizada a vacinação contra o PCV2. O presente estudo realizou uma amostragem transversal em porcas (>2º parto), suínos de 1-3 semanas, 3-8 semanas e 8-22 semanas de idade. As amostras de soro obtidas foram utilizadas para mensuração dos níveis de anticorpos totais por ELISA indireto e quantificação da viremia por PCR em tempo real. Os resultados demonstraram que, na idade de 3-8 semanas, os leitões da raça Piau soroconverteram mais precocemente em relação aos leitões da linhagem comercial e as porcas da raça Piau apresentaram menores níveis de anticorpos totais em relação às da linhagem comercial. Não houve diferença na viremia entre as diferentes fases de produção dentro de cada grupo genético ou entre os grupos. Este trabalho fornece indícios de que a raça Piau apresenta uma resposta imune humoral diferente da desenvolvida pela linhagem comercial estudada diante de uma infecção subclínica natural pelo PCV2. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo reforçam a importância da conservação das raças nativas que não foram utilizadas para formação de linhagens de alta produtividade.

O trabalho foi realizado em granja com histórico de ocorrência de Circovirose Suína e Doenças Associadas - PCVAD maior que 5%. Foram utilizados 560 leitões na fase de creche (25 - 66 dias de idade) e 468 no início de crescimento (66 - 94 dias de idade), em experimento delineado em blocos ao acaso, com dois tratamentos e 9 repetições por tratamento na creche e 18 repetições no crescimento. Os tratamentos: Plasma - os leitões foram alimentados com rações contendo plasma (AP 920®) conforme segue: 6,0% na ração pré-inicial I (15 dias); 3,0% na ração pré-inicial II (13 dias); 1,5% de na ração inicial (14 dias); e 1,0% na ração de crescimento I (14 dias), seguindo-se por mais 14 dias com a mesma ração sem plasma. Controle: os leitões foram alimentados com as mesmas rações, porém sem plasma. As rações utilizadas foram formuladas para satisfazer as necessidades nutricionais dos leitões. As variáveis avaliadas: ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, ocorrência da PCVAD, taxa de mortalidade pela PCVAD e anticorpos anti-PCV2. Houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) no peso dos leitões e no ganho de peso diário em todas as medidas realizadas na fase de creche. A diferença de peso no final da creche foi de 1,92 kg/leitão a mais para o Plasma. Não houve diferença estatística (P>0,05) no coeficiente de variação do peso dos leitões em todas as medidas realizadas. O consumo médio de ração com plasma foi superior (P<0,05) em todas as fases de creche. A conversão alimentar foi melhor (P=0,087) no Plasma. As idades calculadas dos leitões, para o peso ideal para venda (22 e 24 kg), indicaram que os leitões do Plasma atingiriam tais pesos 2,3 e 2,2 dias antes que os controles, respectivamente. Na fase inicial de crescimento, houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) no consumo de ração e no peso final (94 dias de idade) com uma diferença final de 2,28 kg/suíno a mais no grupo Plasma. Isso tem conseqüências importantes no manejo das granjas, permitindo um período maior de vazio sanitário. Aos 39, 52 e 66 dias de idade, houve menor freqüência (P<0,05) de leitões com sinais da PCVAD no Plasma. Verificou-se que a infecção pelo PCV2 estava disseminada nos leitões de ambos os tratamentos. Houve efeito de bloco e idade no título de anticorpos para o PCV2. No período total, o aumento nesse título foi parcial (P=0,0856) para o Plasma. Porém, aos 52 dias de idade, os leitões alimentados com plasma apresentaram aumento nesse título (P<0,05). Isso sugere que os leitões que receberam plasma apresentavam melhor capacidade de resposta imunológica ao PCV2. Os leitões tratados com plasma apresentaram: melhor ganho de peso na creche, que foi ampliado no início do crescimento, reduzindo em 2,3 dias a idade para atingir 22,0 kg; melhor capacidade de resposta imunológica ao PCV2 aos 52 dias de idade e menor manifestação de PCVAD. O aumento no ganho de peso nos leitões foi atribuído ao aumento no consumo de ração e à menor ocorrência de leitões com sinais de PCVAD. / The work was conducted in a farm with historical data, recording pigs with clinical Porcine Circovirus and Associated Diseases - PCVAD higher than 5%. In the nursery 560 pigs (25-66 days of age) and early in growing phase 468 piglets (66-94 days of age) were used in random blocks design with two treatments and 9 replicates in the nursery and 18 replicates in growing phase per treatment. Treatments: Plasma - pigs were fed plasma (AP 920®) containing diets as follows: 6% in the pre-starter I (15 days); 3% in the pre-starter II (13 days); 1.5% in the starter phase (14 days); and 1% in the growing phase (14 days), followed by 14 days with the same feed without plasma. Control: pigs were fed with the same feeds from the Plasma treatment but without plasma. Both feeds were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the pigs in different stages. Evaluated variables: weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, clinical presence of PCVAD, mortality rate related with PCVAD and antibodies against PCV2. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the pigs weight and in the weight gain the nursery. The weight difference at the end of the nursery phase was 1.92 kg/pig grater to the plasma group. There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) in the coefficient of variation of weight in all measurements performed. The average feed intake was higher (P<0.05) on Plasma in all nursery phases. A better feed conversion was observed on Plasma (P=0.087). The calculated age of pigs to reach the ideal sale weight (22-24 kg) indicated that Plasma achieved those weights 2.3-2.2 days prior than the Control respectively. In the growing phase there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the feed intake and final weight (94 days of age) with a final weight 2.28 kg/pig heavier for Plasma. This has important consequences in the management of a farm, allowing a longer downtime period between groups. At 39, 52 and 66 days of age, there was less frequency (P<0.05) of pigs with sings of PCVAD in the plasma fed group. It was observed that the infection by PCV2 was widely spread in both treatments pigs. There was block and age effect in the PCV2 antibody titers. There was a partial treatment effect (P=0.0856) over the PCV2 antibodies when the data was evaluated at different sampling ages. However, at 52 days of age, there was an increase in the PCV2 antibody titers (P<0.05) of pigs that received plasma. This observation suggests that plasma fed pigs had a better immune response to PCV2. The plasma fed pigs showed better weight gain in the nursery. That effect was amplified in the beginning of the growing phase, leading to a reduction in 2.3 days the age to reach 22.0 kg of body weight, better immune response to PCV2 at 52 days of age and less presence of sings of PCVAD. The increase in the weight gain was due to an increase in feed intake and lower incidence of pigs with sings of PCVAD.

Circoviren sind kleine, unbehüllte Viren mit einem einzelsträngigen zirkulären DNA Genom mit eine Größe von 1,7 bis 2,4 kb. Das Porcine Circovirus Typ 2 (PCV2), welches zum Genus Circovirus gehört, ist mit einer Anzahl von Krankheitsmanifestationen verbunden worden, die heute als Porcine Circovirus Assoziierte Krankheiten (PCVAD) zusammengefasst sind. Die PCV2-Infektion bei Rindern ist bis zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt marginal erforscht worden. Serologische Untersuchungen auf Circovirus spezifische Antikörperführten zu widersprüchlichen Ergebnissen. Im Jahr 2007 wurde von der Bovinen Neonatalen Panzytopenie (BNP) in Europa mit unklarer Genese berichtet. Das klinisch - pathologische Bild der Hämorrhagien ähnelte dem Krankheitsbild der Infektiösen Anämie, welche durch ein Circovirus bei Hühnern verursacht wird. Deshalb wurde in dieser Studie eine Breitspektrum PCR zum Nachweis von Cirocvirus-Genomen durchgeführt. In 5 von 25 BNP betroffenen Kälbern konnte circovirale DNA nachgewiesen werden. Das komplette Genom wurde nachfolgend amplifiziert, kloniert und sequenziert. Das nachgewiesene Genom (PCV2-Ha08) hat eine Länge von 1768 Nukleotiden und zeigte eine hohe Homologie (bis zu 99%) mit PCV2-Genotyp b (siehe Publikation 1). Als Ursache der BNP ist vor kurzen die Übertragung von Alloantikörpern über das Kolostrum beschrieben wurden, welche die Zerstörungen von Leukozyten und Thrombozyten sowie deren Vorläuferzellen bewirken. Ungeachtet dessen war es wichtig, die Empfänglichkeit und Immunantwort von Kälbern nach experimenteller Infektion mit PCV2 zu studieren. Für diesen Zweck wurden weitere 181 Proben von BNP-Kälbern aus Deutschland mit Hilfe einer Breitspektrum-PCR getestet. In zwei von 181 Proben wurde PCV2 DNA nachgewiesen. Die vollständigen Sequenzen konnten amplifiziert werden. Während das erste Genom aus einer Blutprobe eines Kalbs in Bayern stammte (PCV2-Ha09), stammte das zweite nachgewiesene Genom aus Lunge und Gehirn von einem Kalb in Sachsen (PCV2-Ha10). Das Genom (PCV2-Ha09) besteht aus 1768 nt, währenddessen das Genom (PCV2-Ha10) aus 1767 nt aufgebaut ist (siehe Publikation 2). Weiterhin wurden die PCV2 Empfänglichkeit und die Immunantwort von Kälbern durch experimentellen PCV2 Inokulation sowie die Möglichkeit, eine Serokonversion nach Impfung mit einer kommerziellen PCV2 Vakzin zu entwickeln, untersucht. PCV2-spezifische Antikörper wurden in den PCV2-infizierten Tieren und in den PCV2-immunisierten Tieren im Tag 11 und 7 nach Inokulation (p.i.) nachgewiesen. PCV2-Genome wurden durch quantitative Realtime-PCR zwischen Tag 4 und Tag 46 p.i. nur in den Blutproben sowie in verschiedenen Geweben (z.B. Milz, Lymphknoten, Thymus) der PCV2-infizierten Tiere nachgewiesen. Das Genom, welches von den Lymphknoten der PCV2-infizierten Kälber erneut isoliert wurde, zeigt eine Identität von 99,9% gegenüber dem Inokulum. Dies weist möglicherweise auf adaptierte Mutationen im PCV2 Genom hin. Die Mutationen C1708T und G365C sind während der Infektionen aufgetreten. Die Sequenzanalyse zeigt eine mögliche adaptierte Mutation an der Aminosäure Nr. 105 in Replikationsgen (Met zu Ile) (siehe Publikation 3). Zusammenfassend kann geschlussfolgert werden, dass der Nachweis der PCV2 Genomen und eine experimentell induzierte Serokonversion möglich war. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Empfänglichkeit von PCV2 nicht allein auf Schweine begrenzt ist und eine Übertragung von PCV2 auf Rinder möglich ist.

Master of Science / Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology / Raymond R. R. Rowland / Open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) codes for the 233 amino acid capsid protein (CP). Baculovirus-based vaccines that express only ORF2 are protective against clinical disease following experimental challenge or natural infection. The goal of this study was to identify regions in CP preferentially recognized by sera from experimentally infected and vaccinated pigs, and compare these responses to pigs diagnosed with porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD). The approach was to react porcine sera with different CP polypeptide fragments that each contained one or more immunoreactive regions. Expression of polypeptides was performed using E.coli. Initial results showed that sera from vaccinated pigs preferentially recognized only the largest CP(43-233) polypeptide fragment and showed low levels of binding to other CP polypeptide fragments. The results of sera from pigs diagnosed with PMWS showed only minimal reactivity with CP polypeptide fragments, including the largest CP(43-233). PCV2 infected or PDNS diagnosed pigs reacted to all CP polypeptides: however, the strongest reactivity was primarily directed towards CP polypeptides containing residues in the 160-180 region. For this purpose, finer mapping studies were performed. These experiments involved reacting sera from experimentally infected PCV2 pigs and PDNS pigs with overlapping oligopeptides that covered amino acids 141-200. Overall, the results showed a subset of experimentally infected pigs and pigs with PDNS preferentially recognized the CP oligopeptide, 169-STIDYFQPNNKR-180. Alanine scanning identified Y-173, F-174, Q-175 and K-179 as important for antibody recognition. The results from this study support the notion of PCV2 modulation of immunity, including antibody responses that may represent a precursor for disease. The results from this study support the notion of PCV2 modulation of immunity. Furthermore, the methods incorporated in this study provide a means for characterizing the immune response upon vaccination, natural infection and disease.

O Circovírus suíno tipo 2 (PCV-2) pertence ao gênero Circovirus da família Circoviridae. É considerado “vírus emergente", tendo sido associado, principalmente, à Síndrome de Refugagem Multissistêmica dos suínos (SRM). O genoma circular é composto por: (i) ORF-1 que codifica a proteína replicativa; (ii) ORF-2 que codifica a proteína estrutural formadora do capsídeo, (iii) região não codificadora que intercala as ORF-1 e 2 e contem a origem da replicação, denominada IGS-1 e (iv) região que intercala as ORF-1 e 2, denominada IGS-2. Oito amostras, denominadas amostras completas, tiveram mais de 1705 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (945 da ORF-1, 699 da ORF-2, 20 da IGS-1 e 39 da IGS-2); duas amostras tiveram em média 1692 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (945 da ORF-1 e 699 da ORF-2, os restantes correspondem às regiões IGS-1 e 2); uma amostra teve 1392 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (945 da ORF-1, 414 da ORF-2, 9 da IGS-1 e 24 da IGS-2) e nove amostras tiveram em média 970 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (196 da ORF-1 e 699 da ORF-2, os restantes correspondem às regiões IGS-1 e 2). Portanto, a partir dessas 20 amostras em estudo, foram obtidas: (i) oito amostras completas; (ii) 11 seqüências completas de ORF-1 e (iii) 19 seqüências completas de ORF-2, as quais foram analisadas. A identidade de nucleotídeo variou de: (i) 99,7% a 100% entre as oito amostras completas; (ii) 99,3% a 100% entre as 11 seqüências completas de ORF-1 e (iii) 91,9% a 100% entre as 19 seqüências completas de ORF-2. A topologia das árvores genealógicas utilizando as oito seqüências completas e as 11 seqüências completas de ORF-1 foi similar, agrupando todas as amostras em estudo em um só grupo denominado subtipo PCV-2a. Pela análise da genealogia da ORF-1 observou-se que todas as amostras agruparam-se com uma amostra de PCV-2 associada à Síndrome de Dermatite e Nefropatia suína (PDNS), formando um grupo separado das amostras de PCV-2 associadas à Síndrome de Refugagem Multissistêmicas dos suínos (SRM) e abortamento. A genealogia proposta para as 19 amostras que tiveram a ORF-2 seqüenciada, dividiu as amostras em dois grupos, sendo que 14 amostras agruparam-se num grupo denominado subtipo PCV-2a e 5 no subtipo PCV-2b. Os resultados mostraram a circulação de, pelo menos, dois subtipos de PCV-2 no Brasil / Porcine circovirus 2 belongs to Circovirus genus and Circoviridae family. It is considered an “emerging virus" being associated to Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS). The circular viral genome is formed by: (i) ORF-1 coding for the replicative associated proteins; (ii) ORF-2 encoding the structural proteins of the viral capsid; (iii) a non-coding intergenic sequence between ORF-1 and ORF-2 containing the replicative origin of the viral genome (IGS-1) and (iv) a second non-coding intergenic sequence between ORF-1 and ORF-2 (IGS-2). Eight samples, named complete sequences, had about 1705 nucleotides determined (945 from ORF-1, 699 from ORF-2, 20 from IGS-1 and 39 from IGS-2); two samples had about 1692 nucleotides sequenced (945 from ORF-1, 699 from ORF-2, and the rest from IGS-1 and 2); one sample had 1392 nucleotides sequenced (945 from ORF-1, 414 from ORF-2, 9 from IGS-1 and 24 from IGS-2) and nine samples had about 970 nucleotides sequenced (196 from ORF-1, 699 from ORF-2, and the rest from IGS-1 and 2). Therefore, from the 20 samples it was obtained: (i) eight complete sequences; (ii) 11 complete sequences of ORF-1 and (iii) 19 complete sequences of ORF-2. The identity at nucleotide level was from: (i) 99,7% to 100% among the eight complete sequences; (ii) 99,3% to 100% among the 11 sequences of ORF-1 and (iii) 91,9 to 100% among the 19 sequences of ORF-2. The topology of the tree generated by the ORF-1 analysis revealed a cluster formed by the Brazilian samples of PCV-2 and the samples associated to PDNS and another cluster formed by the PCV-2 associated to other syndromes. The genealogy presented for the 19 samples using the data from ORF-2 revealed the presence of two clusters, one of them formed by 14 samples named subtype PCV-2a and the other formed by 5 samples, named PCV-2b. The results demonstrated that, at least, two subtypes of PCV-2 circulate in Brazil

O Circovírus suíno tipo 2 (PCV-2) pertence ao gênero Circovirus da família Circoviridae. É considerado “vírus emergente”, tendo sido associado, principalmente, à Síndrome de Refugagem Multissistêmica dos suínos (SRM). O genoma circular é composto por: (i) ORF-1 que codifica a proteína replicativa; (ii) ORF-2 que codifica a proteína estrutural formadora do capsídeo, (iii) região não codificadora que intercala as ORF-1 e 2 e contem a origem da replicação, denominada IGS-1 e (iv) região que intercala as ORF-1 e 2, denominada IGS-2. Oito amostras, denominadas amostras completas, tiveram mais de 1705 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (945 da ORF-1, 699 da ORF-2, 20 da IGS-1 e 39 da IGS-2); duas amostras tiveram em média 1692 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (945 da ORF-1 e 699 da ORF-2, os restantes correspondem às regiões IGS-1 e 2); uma amostra teve 1392 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (945 da ORF-1, 414 da ORF-2, 9 da IGS-1 e 24 da IGS-2) e nove amostras tiveram em média 970 nucleotídeos seqüenciados (196 da ORF-1 e 699 da ORF-2, os restantes correspondem às regiões IGS-1 e 2). Portanto, a partir dessas 20 amostras em estudo, foram obtidas: (i) oito amostras completas; (ii) 11 seqüências completas de ORF-1 e (iii) 19 seqüências completas de ORF-2, as quais foram analisadas. A identidade de nucleotídeo variou de: (i) 99,7% a 100% entre as oito amostras completas; (ii) 99,3% a 100% entre as 11 seqüências completas de ORF-1 e (iii) 91,9% a 100% entre as 19 seqüências completas de ORF-2. A topologia das árvores genealógicas utilizando as oito seqüências completas e as 11 seqüências completas de ORF-1 foi similar, agrupando todas as amostras em estudo em um só grupo denominado subtipo PCV-2a. Pela análise da genealogia da ORF-1 observou-se que todas as amostras agruparam-se com uma amostra de PCV-2 associada à Síndrome de Dermatite e Nefropatia suína (PDNS), formando um grupo separado das amostras de PCV-2 associadas à Síndrome de Refugagem Multissistêmicas dos suínos (SRM) e abortamento. A genealogia proposta para as 19 amostras que tiveram a ORF-2 seqüenciada, dividiu as amostras em dois grupos, sendo que 14 amostras agruparam-se num grupo denominado subtipo PCV-2a e 5 no subtipo PCV-2b. Os resultados mostraram a circulação de, pelo menos, dois subtipos de PCV-2 no Brasil / Porcine circovirus 2 belongs to Circovirus genus and Circoviridae family. It is considered an “emerging virus” being associated to Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS). The circular viral genome is formed by: (i) ORF-1 coding for the replicative associated proteins; (ii) ORF-2 encoding the structural proteins of the viral capsid; (iii) a non-coding intergenic sequence between ORF-1 and ORF-2 containing the replicative origin of the viral genome (IGS-1) and (iv) a second non-coding intergenic sequence between ORF-1 and ORF-2 (IGS-2). Eight samples, named complete sequences, had about 1705 nucleotides determined (945 from ORF-1, 699 from ORF-2, 20 from IGS-1 and 39 from IGS-2); two samples had about 1692 nucleotides sequenced (945 from ORF-1, 699 from ORF-2, and the rest from IGS-1 and 2); one sample had 1392 nucleotides sequenced (945 from ORF-1, 414 from ORF-2, 9 from IGS-1 and 24 from IGS-2) and nine samples had about 970 nucleotides sequenced (196 from ORF-1, 699 from ORF-2, and the rest from IGS-1 and 2). Therefore, from the 20 samples it was obtained: (i) eight complete sequences; (ii) 11 complete sequences of ORF-1 and (iii) 19 complete sequences of ORF-2. The identity at nucleotide level was from: (i) 99,7% to 100% among the eight complete sequences; (ii) 99,3% to 100% among the 11 sequences of ORF-1 and (iii) 91,9 to 100% among the 19 sequences of ORF-2. The topology of the tree generated by the ORF-1 analysis revealed a cluster formed by the Brazilian samples of PCV-2 and the samples associated to PDNS and another cluster formed by the PCV-2 associated to other syndromes. The genealogy presented for the 19 samples using the data from ORF-2 revealed the presence of two clusters, one of them formed by 14 samples named subtype PCV-2a and the other formed by 5 samples, named PCV-2b. The results demonstrated that, at least, two subtypes of PCV-2 circulate in Brazil

Porcine <i>Circovirus</i> 2 (PCV2) associated diseases (PCVAD) cause economic loss to the global swine industry. Control measures for PCVAD largely depend on the use of PCV2 vaccines. The available commercial PCV2 vaccines contain either inactivated whole virus particles or recombinant PCV2 capsid protein. These preparations most likely contain varying amounts of immune-irrelevant proteins that can cause adverse injection site reactions, with compromised efficacy due to alteration of protective immune epitopes arising during the viral inactivation process. Other constraints include high production cost attributed to propagation of slow growing virus and expression and extraction of recombinant proteins, a requirement for adjuvants, and the induction of a Th2-biased immune response. Hence, development of new PCV2 vaccines is necessary.<p> There are two recommended PCV2 vaccination strategies. They are i. vaccinating sows, which relies on the passive transfer of maternal immunity to offspring, and ii. immunizing young piglets to induce an active immune response. The piglet vaccination has been shown to confer better protection from mortality. Maternal antibody interference to the induction of an active immune response is an obstacle when piglets are vaccinated at an early age. Can we sidestep this maternal antibody interference? To address this issue, I investigated whether a prototypical PCV2 vaccine, parenterally administered, could override maternally-derived PCV2 antibodies in seropositive piglets. The results of this study were not conclusive. However, they laid the foundation for future studies based upon using varying levels of vaccine antigen with different adjuvants, and administered to piglets with defined maternally derived PCV2 antibodies.<p> Subsequently, I examined if a new PCV2 vaccine candidate comprised of bacteriophage lambda particles displaying part of the PCV2 capsid protein could induce anti-PCV2 immunity. Initial experiments showed that pigs do not have pre-existing anti-lambda antibodies and thus will not neutralize display particles used as a vaccine at primary vaccination. I produced and characterized lambda phage particles displaying four immunodominant regions of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) capsid protein fused to the lambda capsid protein D i.e., D-CAP, phage display particles. Expression of D-CAP in <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) and its presence in the vaccine preparation was shown by ELISA and Western blots using anti-PCV2 polyclonal antiserum from a gnotobiotic pig. The vaccine, lambda particles displaying PCV2 capsid protein immunogenic epitopes fused to lambda D protein (LDP-D-CAP), administered without an adjuvant induced both humoral and cellular immunity to PCV2 in conventional pigs, as shown by ELISA, Western blots, virus neutralization assay and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions. This work produced the first potential phage vaccine to PCV2. In order to further investigate the feasibility of using the lambda display technology. I produced and characterized two additional lambda display particle preparations, LDP-D-FLAG and LDP-D-GFP, displaying a FLAG tag and the green fluorescent proteins, respectively.

Porcine <i>Circovirus</i> 2 (PCV2) associated diseases (PCVAD) cause economic loss to the global swine industry. Control measures for PCVAD largely depend on the use of PCV2 vaccines. The available commercial PCV2 vaccines contain either inactivated whole virus particles or recombinant PCV2 capsid protein. These preparations most likely contain varying amounts of immune-irrelevant proteins that can cause adverse injection site reactions, with compromised efficacy due to alteration of protective immune epitopes arising during the viral inactivation process. Other constraints include high production cost attributed to propagation of slow growing virus and expression and extraction of recombinant proteins, a requirement for adjuvants, and the induction of a Th2-biased immune response. Hence, development of new PCV2 vaccines is necessary.<p> There are two recommended PCV2 vaccination strategies. They are i. vaccinating sows, which relies on the passive transfer of maternal immunity to offspring, and ii. immunizing young piglets to induce an active immune response. The piglet vaccination has been shown to confer better protection from mortality. Maternal antibody interference to the induction of an active immune response is an obstacle when piglets are vaccinated at an early age. Can we sidestep this maternal antibody interference? To address this issue, I investigated whether a prototypical PCV2 vaccine, parenterally administered, could override maternally-derived PCV2 antibodies in seropositive piglets. The results of this study were not conclusive. However, they laid the foundation for future studies based upon using varying levels of vaccine antigen with different adjuvants, and administered to piglets with defined maternally derived PCV2 antibodies.<p> Subsequently, I examined if a new PCV2 vaccine candidate comprised of bacteriophage lambda particles displaying part of the PCV2 capsid protein could induce anti-PCV2 immunity. Initial experiments showed that pigs do not have pre-existing anti-lambda antibodies and thus will not neutralize display particles used as a vaccine at primary vaccination. I produced and characterized lambda phage particles displaying four immunodominant regions of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) capsid protein fused to the lambda capsid protein D i.e., D-CAP, phage display particles. Expression of D-CAP in <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) and its presence in the vaccine preparation was shown by ELISA and Western blots using anti-PCV2 polyclonal antiserum from a gnotobiotic pig. The vaccine, lambda particles displaying PCV2 capsid protein immunogenic epitopes fused to lambda D protein (LDP-D-CAP), administered without an adjuvant induced both humoral and cellular immunity to PCV2 in conventional pigs, as shown by ELISA, Western blots, virus neutralization assay and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions. This work produced the first potential phage vaccine to PCV2. In order to further investigate the feasibility of using the lambda display technology. I produced and characterized two additional lambda display particle preparations, LDP-D-FLAG and LDP-D-GFP, displaying a FLAG tag and the green fluorescent proteins, respectively.

Com os avanços recentes nos métodos de detecção de patógenos, a importância das doenças polimicrobianas tornou-se mais evidente e a identificação de interações de patógenos e seus mecanismos de potenciação de enfermidades se tornou um tema de grande interesse. O circovírus suíno tipo 2 (PCV2) está associado a várias síndromes, tais como a síndrome multissistêmica do definhamento dos suínos (SMDS), a síndrome da dermatite e nefropatia dos suínos (SDNS), o complexo das doenças respiratórias dos suínos (CDRS), falhas reprodutivas e tremores congênitos, coletivamente chamadas “doenças associadas ao circovírus suíno tipo 2” (PCVAD), e que, além do PCV2, podem apresentar diferentes graus de envolvimento de outros agentes. Dentre estas, a SMDS é a que apresenta maior impacto na cadeia produtiva de suínos. Sendo a SMDS uma doença multifatorial e polimicrobiana, estudos buscando identificar associações do PCV2 com outros patógenos são importantes. No presente trabalho foram desenvolvidos ensaios moleculares para a detecção de alguns agentes cuja potencial participação nas PCVAD não havia ainda sido estudada com maior profundidade. Dessa forma, o citomegalovírus suíno (PCMV) e os recém-identificados bocavírus suínos do tipo 1, 2, 3 e 4 (PBoV1-4) foram pesquisados em amostras de animais afetados ou não pela SMDS, em diferentes faixas etárias. O PCMV foi detectado em altas taxas em ambos os grupos de animais, afetados ou não pela SMDS, sendo que nenhum tipo de associação com a SMDS pode ser inferida quanto à detecção de genomas de PCMV e o desenvolvimento da síndrome. A detecção de genomas de PBoV2 e 3 foi associada com animais afetados pela SMDS, enquanto nenhum tipo de associação foi inferida com a detecção de genomas de PBoV1 e do PBoV4. Animais afetados pela síndrome apresentam frequência de detecção e carga viral de PBoV2 significantemente superior à frequência encontrada em animais saudáveis com idade equivalente, revelando uma associação positiva entre PBoV2 e a SMDS. Por outro lado, animais adultos possuem uma carga viral significativamente superior a dos animais jovens sem sinais clínicos de SMDS. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram detectar, pela primeira vez, os quatro tipos PBoV em amostras de suínos no Brasil. Paralelamente, esse estudo mostrou, pela primeira vez, a presença de genomas circulantes de PBoV1, PBoV2 e PBoV4 em animais adultos clinicamente saudáveis. Além disso, permitiu sugerir uma possível associação entre SMDS e PBoV2 e PBoV3, mostrando que mais estudos devem ser realizados para elucidar tal associação. / With recent advances in pathogen detection methods, the importance of polymicrobial diseases has become more evident, and identification of pathogen interactions and their disease potentiation mechanisms has become a topic of great interest. The porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with several syndromes, such as Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS), Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC), reproductive failures and congenital tremors, collectively called "Porcine circovirus type 2 associated diseases" (PCVAD), that beyond PCV2, may have different degrees of involvement of other agents. Among these, PMWS have the main impact on pig production chain. As PMWS is a multifactorial and polymicrobial disease, studies attempting to identify associations of PCV2 with other pathogens are important. In the present work, we developed molecular assays for detection of some agents whose potential role in PCVAD had not yet been studied in greater depth. Thus, porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) and newly identified porcine bocavirus type 1, 2, 3 and 4 (PBoV1-4) were investigated in samples of animals with or without PMWS, in different age groups. PCMV was detected at high rates in both groups of animals, and any type of association with PMWS could be inferred regarding detection of PCMV genomes and syndrome development. The PBoV2 and PBoV3 genomes detection was associated with animals affected by PMWS, while no association could be inferred from detection of genomes PBoV1 and PBoV4. Animals affected by the syndrome had significantly higher PBoV2 frequency of detection and viral load than the healthy animals with equivalent age, showing a positive association between PBoV2 and PMWS. Moreover, adult animals had significantly higher viral load than young animals without clinical signs of PMWS. Obtained results showed, for the first time, the four types of PBoV in Brazilian pig samples and the presence of circulating genomes of PBoV1, PBoV2 and PBoV4 in clinically healthy adult animals. It also allowed suggesting a possible association between PBoV2 and PBoV3 with PMWS, showing that more studies are needed to elucidate this association.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a participação do PCV2 no desenvolvimento de ulcerações gástricas em suínos. Descrevem-se as lesões macroscópicas e histopatológicas nas diferentes zonas do estômago de suínos naturalmente infectados pelo PCV2 e H. pylori. As lesões foram descritas nas diferentes zonas do estômago. Os estômagos coletados eram provenientes de granjas com diagnóstico prévio de infecção pelo PCV2 durante os anos de 2006 à 2008. A presença dos agentes foi verificada por técnicas de imunoistoquímica (IHQ). Dentre os 63 estômagos processados, 30 não apresentavam ulcerações no quadrilátero, sendo que 16 deles apresentavam marcação anti-PCV2 positiva em alguma das regiões analisadas. Apenas 06 casos não apresentavam marcação anti-PCV2 nos dos tecidos testados (estômago e linfonodo). Marcação positiva anti-PCV2 foi verificada em 56 linfonodos, dos quais 28 estômagos foram positivos para PCV2 em alguma zona da mucosa glandular. Grandes quantidades de antígeno do PCV2 foram observadas pela IHQ no citoplasma, núcleo e restos necróticos de células intralesionais das glândulas gástricas nas regiões do antro e cárdia; entretanto, na região do fundo, a marcação de IHQ anti-PCV2 foi restrita às células da superfície mucosa e fossetas gástricas. Marcação de IHQ anti-H. pylori foi identificada em 27 casos, principalmente, na superfície mucosa e fossetas gástricas no antro. A associação de antígenos PCV2 com células produtoras de muco lesadas na zona glandular gástrica sugere o envolvimento de PCV2 como um fator adicional para o desenvolvimento de úlceras gástricas em suínos. / The aim of this study was to describe macroscopical and histopathological found in different zones of stomachs collected from pigs naturally infected with PCV2 and H. pylori. lesions were described in the different zones of the stomach. Stomachs were collected during the years of 2006 to 2008 from herds previously diagnosed as positive for PCV2 infection. The presence of the agents was determined by immunohistochemical techniques. Among 63 stomachs examined, ulceration of the Pars oesophagica was not observed in 30 stomachs, although, 16 of them showed positive PCV2 immunostaining in some of the areas tested. PCV2 immunostaining was not observed in only six cases in any of the tested tissues (stomach and lymph node). PCV2 positive immunostaining was observed in 56 lymph nodes and in some zones of the glandular mucosa, in 28 stomachs. Large amounts of PCV2 antigen were observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of intralesional cells and in debris of gastric glands of antrum and cardia. However, anti-PCV2 immunostaining was restricted to superficial mucosal cells and gastric pits, in the fundus. H. pylori immunostaining was observed in 27 cases, mainly pn the mucosal surface and gastric pits of the antrum. The association of PCV2 antigen with damaged glandular mucus-producing cells in the gastric glandular zone suggests a role of PCV2 as an additional factor for the development of swine gastric ulcers.