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Amino acid comparison of infectious bursal disease viruses placed in the same or different molecular groups by
D J Jackwood1, S E Sommer, H V Knoblich
1Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster 44691, USA.
Abstract:
Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strains have been identified and placed into molecular groups by a reverse transcriptase (RT)/polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. The predicted amino acid sequences corresponding to the region of the genome examined by RFLP were determined and compared for 14 IBDV strains from different molecular groups and 11 IBDV strains that were identified in molecular group 6. Among the viruses within molecular group 6, 13 amino acid positions had mutations, and among the viruses in different molecular groups, 27 amino acid positions had mutations. In addition to having more mutations, viruses compared from different molecular groups also had mutations at key positions that were previously reported to be important for the formation of neutralizing epitopes. Three of these IBDV strains with unique RFLP patterns were used to challenge 1-wk-old broiler chickens with maternal immunity to IBDV. One of these viruses, T1, broke through this maternal immunity as evidenced by detection of the virus by RT/PCR-RFLP and production of an active virus neutralizing antibody response to classic and variant IBDV strains. Unique amino acid mutations in the T1 virus that may have contributed to its ability to break through this maternal immunity were observed at amino acids 318 and 322. The results indicate that RFLP profiles and nucleotide sequences can be used to predict the relative similarities and differences among IBDV strains, but determining the actual antigenic differences among viruses requires testing in vivo.
Insights
Molecular grouping of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) strains using RT/PCR-RFLP revealed distinct amino acid mutations. Certain IBDV strains can overcome maternal immunity, highlighting the need for in vivo testing to confirm antigenic differences.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) strains are classified into molecular groups using reverse transcriptase (RT)/polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).
- Understanding genetic variations among IBDV strains is crucial for disease control and vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare amino acid sequences of IBDV strains from different molecular groups and within molecular group 6.
- To investigate the potential of specific IBDV strains to breach maternal immunity in broiler chickens.
- To correlate molecular profiles with antigenic properties of IBDV strains.
Main Methods:
- RT/PCR-RFLP assay for molecular grouping of IBDV strains.
- Determination and comparison of predicted amino acid sequences.
- In vivo challenge studies using broiler chickens with maternal immunity.
Main Results:
- Significant amino acid mutations were observed both within and between IBDV molecular groups, with more mutations found between groups.
- Mutations occurred at key positions associated with neutralizing epitopes.
- One IBDV strain (T1) with unique RFLP patterns successfully broke through maternal immunity in broiler chickens.
- Specific amino acid mutations at positions 318 and 322 in the T1 virus were identified as potentially contributing to its immune evasion.
Conclusions:
- RFLP profiles and nucleotide sequences provide insights into IBDV strain similarities and differences.
- Predicting antigenic variation solely based on molecular data is insufficient; in vivo testing is essential.
- Specific mutations may confer the ability to overcome maternal immunity, necessitating further investigation into IBDV pathogenesis and vaccine efficacy.
