title: Development of specific diagnostic test for small ruminant lentivirus genotype E.
abstract: Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) belonging to the highly divergent genotype E has recently been identified in the Italian goat breed Roccaverano. In this report we have developed a specific serological test based on recombinant matrix/capsid antigen fusion protein. Performance has been evaluated and compared with a similar test based on genotype B antigen. Herds under study were selected according to the infectious status characterized by blood PCR and sequencing. Results clearly showed that B and E based recombinant ELISA only detected homologous infection and an apparent cross-reactivity was recorded in a herd in which co-infection was present. Three commercially available ELISAs showed different abilities in detecting genotype E infection, being the whole virus-based immunoassay the best choice. Genotype E-recombinant antigen was not detected in ELISA by three commercially available Mabs known to be cross-reactive among CAEV and MVV capsid antigens, further supporting the high divergence of the E genotype from others. Finally, a SRLV-free herd according to commercial ELISA testing, was analysed in the same area where genotype E was identified and few animals belonging to Roccaverano breed were found slightly reactive with the E antigens. Our results suggest that the prevalence of genotype E in other small ruminant populations may be conveniently estimated using a comparative assay based on a combination of genotype specific recombinant antigens and may highlight a wider space in which SRLVs evolve.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia ed Ecologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
authors.forename: Ramses
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reina
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grego
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Profiti
authors.forename: Idoia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Glaria
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robino
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quasso
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amorena
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosati
mesh_terms: D051046:Amino-Acid N-Acetyltransferase; D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006041:Goats; D016180:Lentivirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D017972:Lentiviruses, Ovine-Caprine / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins; D051046:Amino-Acid N-Acetyltransferase