Abstract
A novel pestivirus species, termed Lateral-shaking Inducing Neuro-Degenerative Agent virus (LindaV), was discovered in a piglet-producing farm in Austria in 2015 related to severe congenital tremor cases. Since the initial outbreak LindaV has not been found anywhere else. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of LindaV infections in the domestic pig population of Austria. A fluorophore labeled infectious cDNA clone of LindaV (mCherry-LindaV) was generated and used in serum virus neutralization (SVN) assays for the detection of LindaV specific neutralizing antibodies in porcine serum samples. In total, 637 sera from sows and gilts from five federal states of Austria, collected between the years 2015 and 2020, were analyzed. We identified a single serum showing a high neutralizing antibody titer, that originated from a farm (Farm S2) in the proximity of the initially affected farm. The analysis of 57 additional sera from Farm S2 revealed a wider spread of LindaV in this pig herd. Furthermore, a second LindaV strain originating from this farm could be isolated in cell culture and was further characterized at the genetic level. Possible transmission routes and virus reservoir hosts of this emerging porcine virus need to be addressed in future studies.
Highlights
Pestiviruses are enveloped, small viruses with a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome of about 12.3 to 13 kb length [1]
The RNA genome consists of one large open reading frame (ORF) that is flanked by a 5 - and 3 -untranslated region (UTR)
The replication of recLindaV in SK-6 cells was demonstrated by an indirect immunofluorescence assay using monoclonal antibody (MAb) 6A5 (Figure S2)
Summary
Pestiviruses are enveloped, small viruses with a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome of about 12.3 to 13 kb length [1]. Diverse strains of atypical porcine pestiviruses (APPV, Pestivirus K) that induce congenital tremor of type A-II in newborn piglets after intrauterine infection have been identified in shaking piglets worldwide [4,5,6]. The only known strain of the species Bungowannah virus (BungoV, Pestivirus F) appeared in Australia and caused the so-called porcine myocarditis syndrome [13]. A further porcine pestivirus was identified in 2015 in Austria during a screening for APPV in samples of piglets with congenital tremor. The clinical symptoms of Linda virus are reminiscent of congenital tremor in newborn piglets, but the affected piglets showed a stronger shaking phenotype with a higher pre-weaning mortality rate and the identified pestivirus was termed Lateral-Shaking Inducing Neuro-Degenerative Agent (Linda) virus (LindaV, tentatively Pestivirus L) [17]. As observed with BungoV, LindaV has never been detected again since its first description
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