Genetic and antigenic characterization of novel pestivirus genotypes: implications for classification.
Currently, the genus Pestivirus comprises the four approved species Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), BVDV-2, Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and Border disease virus (BDV) and one tentative fifth species represented by a single strain (H138) isolated from a giraffe in Kenya more than 30 years ago. To further address the issue of heterogeneity of pestiviruses we have determined the entire N(pro) and E2 coding sequences for several new pestivirus isolates. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis revealed that one pestivirus isolated in the 1990s in Africa is closely related to strain H138. Moreover, several novel pestiviruses isolated from sheep group together with the previously described strain V60 (Reindeer-1) isolated from a reindeer, whereas one ovine pestivirus strain (Gifhorn) significantly differs from all previously described pestiviruses, including BDV. We propose to term these mainly sheep-derived pestiviruses BDV-2 (V60-like isolates) and BDV-3 (Gifhorn); consequently, the "classical" BDV isolates should be termed BDV-1. As an additional criterion for segregation of pestiviruses, the antigenic relatedness of pestivirus isolates covering all observed major genotypes was studied by cross-neutralization assays. Analysis of the antigenic similarities indicated the presence of seven major antigenic groups corresponding to BVDV-1, BVDV-2, CSFV, BDV-1, BDV-2, BDV-3, and "giraffe". Taking into account the host origin, the lack of differences concerning the course of disease, and the results of our genetic and antigenic analyses, we suggest that BDV-1, BDV-2, and BDV-3 should be considered as major genotypes within the species BDV.
Becher
Paul
P
Institut für Virologie (FB Veterinärmedizin), Justus-Liebig-Universität, Frankfurter Strabetae 107, D-35392, Giessen, Germany. paul.becher@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
Avalos Ramirez
Ramiro
R
Orlich
Michaela
M
Cedillo Rosales
Sibilina
S
König
Matthias
M
Schweizer
Matthias
M
Stalder
Hanspeter
H
Schirrmeier
Horst
H
Thiel
Heinz-Jürgen
HJ
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle; D003429:Cross Reactions; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010576:Pestivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012756:Sheep / Q000821:virology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D006113:United Kingdom; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases