Detection, isolation, and in vitro characterization of porcine parainfluenza virus type 1 isolated from respiratory diagnostic specimens in swine

Abstract

Porcine parainfluenza virus type 1 (PPIV-1) is a member of the genus Respirovirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. The PPIV-1 was initially detected in 2013 from slaughter pigs in Hong Kong, China although its role in respiratory disease has remained unknown without virus isolates for experimental inoculation in swine. The objective of this study was to determine the relative frequency of PPIV-1 detection in diagnostic samples collected from swine in the United States, describe the cell culture isolation of PPIV-1, and characterize PPIV-1 cell culture isolates in vitro. Among 842 porcine specimens submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory during 2016–2017, 43.3% were PPIV-1 positive by a real-time, reverse transcriptase PCR suggesting PPIV-1 may be common in swine. Two strains of PPIV-1 were successfully isolated in an LLC-MK2 cell line from a PPIV-1 RT-qPCR positive nasal swab (USA/MN25890NS/2016) and lung (USA/IA84915LG/2017). The PPIV-1 cytopathic effect was demonstrated in tissue culture and enveloped viral particles were observed by electron microscopy. The whole genome, F, and HN gene sequences of both isolates share 98.2%, 98.5%, and 98.2% nucleotide homology, respectively, and phylogenetic analysis indicated they are closely related to other PPIV-1 strains detected in swine from the United States. Whole virus PPIV-1-specific monoclonal antibodies were generated for PPIV-1 detection in infected LLC-MK2 cells by indirect immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry assays. The virus isolates and monoclonal antibodies obtained in the present study can be used to investigate the pathogenesis of PPIV-1 and develop new diagnostic tests.