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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316339

Title: Genetic detection and characterization of emerging HoBi-like viruses in archival foetal bovine serum batches

Author
item GIAMMARIOLI, MONICA - Istituto Zooprofilattico
item Ridpath, Julia
item ROSSI, ELIZABETH - Istituto Zooprofilattico
item BAZZUCCHI, MOIRA - Istituto Zooprofilattico
item CASCIARI, CHRISTINA - Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mazzogiorno
item DE MIA, GIAN MARIO - Istituto Zooprofilattico

Submitted to: Biologicals
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2015
Publication Date: 7/1/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61908
Citation: Giammarioli, M., Ridpath, J.F., Rossi, E., Bazzucchi, M., Casciari, C., De Mia, G. 2015. Genetic detection and characterization of emerging HoBi-like viruses in archival foetal bovine serum batches. Biologicals. 43(4):220-224. doi: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2015.05.009.

Interpretive Summary: The propagation of viruses, for use in research and the production of vaccines, is dependent on growth of the virus in cell culture. The media used to grow cells is commonly supplemented with serum collected from the fetuses of pregnant cattle that have gone to slaughter. This fetal bovine serum (FBS) provides a number of proteins that make cultured cells grow better. Pestiviruses are a group of viruses, within the Flavivirus family, that are known for infecting cattle, sheep and pigs. Infections with pestiviruses cause substantial economic losses to farmers. The pestiviruses that infect cattle are known as bovine pestiviruses. Bovine pestiviruses belong to one of three groups, bovine viral diarrhea viruses type 1 (BVDV1), bovine viral diarrhea viruses type 2 (BVDV2) and a newly recognized group of viruses called HoBi-like viruses. When a pregnant animal is infected with a virus from any of these three groups, the virus is able to cross into the womb and infect the fetus. Fetal infection results in FBS that is contaminated with bovine pestiviruses. Use of FBS contaminated with bovine pestiviruses results in incorrect research results and vaccines that may make cattle sick. While BVDV1 and BVDV2 contaminations have long been recognized as a problem, it is now becoming evident that HoBi-like virus contamination may be just as big or an even bigger problem. The goal of the research presented in this paper was to examine 26 commercial lots of FBS, sold in Italy, to determine if they were contaminated with any of the bovine pestiviruses. It was found that all 26 were contaminated, of these 15 were contaminated with HoBi-like viruses. HoBi-like viruses are not found in all regions of the world, however FBS is used for cell cultures in all regions of the world. The use of HoBi-like virus contaminated FBS in HoBi-like virus free regions posses a risk for introducing the virus. The information in the study can be used as the basis for improved regulation of FBS import and export.

Technical Abstract: The propagation of viruses, for use in research and the production of vaccines, is dependent on growth of the virus in cell culture. The media used to grow cells is commonly supplemented with serum collected from the fetuses of pregnant cattle that have gone to slaughter. This fetal bovine serum (FBS) provides a number of proteins that make cultured cells grow better. Pestiviruses are a group of viruses, within the Flavivirus family, that are known for infecting cattle, sheep and pigs. Infections with pestiviruses cause substantial economic losses to farmers. The pestiviruses that infect cattle are known as bovine pestiviruses. Bovine pestiviruses belong to one of three groups, bovine viral diarrhea viruses type 1 (BVDV1), bovine viral diarrhea viruses type 2 (BVDV2) and a newly recognized group of viruses called HoBi-like viruses. When a pregnant animal is infected with a virus from any of these three groups, the virus is able to cross into the womb and infect the fetus. Fetal infection results in FBS that is contaminated with bovine pestiviruses. Use of FBS contaminated with bovine pestiviruses results in incorrect research results and vaccines that may make cattle sick. While BVDV1 and BVDV2 contaminations have long been recognized as a problem, it is now becoming evident that HoBi-like virus contamination may be just as big or an even bigger problem. The goal of the research presented in this paper was to examine 26 commercial lots of FBS, sold in Italy, to determine if they were contaminated with any of the bovine pestiviruses. It was found that all 26 were contaminated, of these 15 were contaminated with HoBi-like viruses. HoBi-like viruses are not found in all regions of the world, however FBS is used for cell cultures in all regions of the world. The use of HoBi-like virus contaminated FBS in HoBi-like virus free regions posses a risk for introducing the virus. The information in the study can be used as the basis for improved regulation of FBS import and export.