title: Immunological methods for the detection of porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV).
abstract: Porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1, -2, and -3) are widespread in pigs and closely related to the human pathogenic gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (human herpesvirus 4, HHV-4) and Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (HHV-8). In minipigs, PLHV-1 causes a porcine post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after experimental transplantations. Porcine PTLD comes with clinical symptoms similar to those of human PTLD, a serious complication of solid organ and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation linked to HHV-4. Since PLHVs may be transmitted from donor pigs to the human recipient of xenotransplants (pig cells, tissues or organs), sensitive and specific methods should be developed to detect and eliminate PLHVs. Here we describe an ELISA and a Western blot assay using recombinant glycoprotein B of PLHV-1. Using both assays, the presence of specific antibodies in different pig breeds as well as in German slaughterhouse workers was analysed. Antibodies were detected in some animals, but not in human subjects.
authors.affiliation: Unit 18, HIV and other retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: PlotzkiE@rki.de.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plotzki
authors.affiliation: Unit 18, HIV and other retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: KellerM@rki.de.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Unit 12 Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and viruses affecting immunocompromised patients, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: EhlersB@rki.de.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ehlers
authors.affiliation: Unit 18, HIV and other retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: DennerJ@rki.de.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Denner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015870:Gene Expression; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins
keywords: Butcher; ELISA; Pig; Porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus; Western blot; Xenotransplantation