Abstract
BackgroundEpidemiologic data collected during epidemics in the western United States combined with limited experimental studies involving swine and cattle suggest that host predilection of epidemic vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) strains results in variations in clinical response, extent and duration of virus shedding and transmissibility following infection in different hosts. Laboratory challenge of livestock with heterologous VSNJV strains to investigate potential viral predilections for these hosts has not been thoroughly investigated. In separate trials, homologous VSNJV strains (NJ82COB and NJ82AZB), and heterologous strains (NJ06WYE and NJOSF [Ossabaw Island, sand fly]) were inoculated into cattle via infected black fly bite. NJ82AZB and NJ06WYE were similarly inoculated into swine.ResultsClinical scores among viruses infecting cattle were significantly different and indicated that infection with a homologous virus resulted in more severe clinical presentation and greater extent and duration of viral shedding. No differences in clinical severity or extent and duration of viral shedding were detected in swine.ConclusionsDifferences in clinical presentation and extent and duration of viral shedding may have direct impacts on viral spread during epidemics. Viral transmission via animal-to-animal contact and insect vectored transmission are likely to occur at higher rates when affected animals are presenting severe clinical signs and shedding high concentrations of virus. More virulent viral strains resulting in more severe disease in livestock hosts are expected to spread more rapidly and greater distances during epidemics than those causing mild or inapparent signs.
Highlights
Epidemiologic data collected during epidemics in the western United States combined with limited experimental studies involving swine and cattle suggest that host predilection of epidemic vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) strains results in variations in clinical response, extent and duration of virus shedding and transmissibility following infection in different hosts
Steers bitten on the coronary band by black flies infected with NJ82AZB developed severe secondary lesions that spread from the initial inoculation site on the lateral claw, across the inter-digital space and around the entire circumference of the hoof (Figure 1A and 1B)
Virus titers for animals infected with NJ82AZB were at least one log10 higher and present through post-infection day (PID) 7, whereas those infected with NJ95COE did not yield positive swab samples after PID 4
Summary
Epidemiologic data collected during epidemics in the western United States combined with limited experimental studies involving swine and cattle suggest that host predilection of epidemic vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) strains results in variations in clinical response, extent and duration of virus shedding and transmissibility following infection in different hosts. Vesicular stomatitis has been described as sporadically epidemic in the western United States [15], with outbreaks occurring in 1982-83, 1984, 1995, 2004-2006, and most recently in 2009. Horses and cattle are the primary livestock hosts affected during outbreaks, swine can be affected as well. During the 1995 VSNJV epidemic in which clinically affected livestock were identified in six states, 71% of the foreign animal disease investigations and 78% of the positive premises involved horses [17].
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