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Transmissible gastroenteritis virus infection: a vanishing specter
C Schwegmann-Wessels1, G Herrler
1Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover.
DTW. Deutsche Tierarztliche Wochenschrift
|May 24, 2006
Summary
Porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCoV) acts as a natural vaccine against transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), significantly reducing TGE outbreaks in Europe. This protective effect stems from shared antibody epitopes, despite structural differences in their surface proteins.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Swine Disease Research
- Immunology
Background:
- Porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCoV) emerged approximately 20 years ago, affecting swine herds.
- PRCoV is antigenically related to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) but primarily causes respiratory symptoms, unlike TGEV's enteropathogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunological relationship between PRCoV and TGEV.
- To understand the mechanism behind the observed reduction in TGE outbreaks potentially linked to PRCoV.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of PRCoV and TGEV surface protein S gene structures.
- Epitope mapping for neutralizing antibodies shared between the two viruses.
- Assessment of sialic acid binding activity in both PRCoV and TGEV.
Main Results:
- PRCoV shares neutralizing antibody epitopes with TGEV, conferring a protective effect akin to a natural vaccine and leading to reduced TGE outbreaks in Europe.
- A significant deletion in the surface protein S gene distinguishes PRCoV from TGEV.
- TGEV possesses sialic acid binding activity, enabling attachment to mucins and facilitating gut epithelial invasion, a property absent in PRCoV.
Conclusions:
- PRCoV acts as a cross-protective agent against TGEV due to shared antigenic determinants.
- Structural differences, specifically the deletion in the S gene of PRCoV, account for the lack of sialic acid binding activity and subsequent reduced pathogenicity compared to TGEV.
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