Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus Research Articles

Pig carcass decomposition dynamics: Insights into carcass disposal for emergency animal disease management.

Australia is free from many economically devastating emergency animal diseases (EADs) that threaten livestock production in neighbouring countries. In Australia, an important consideration for EAD control is managing susceptible feral animal populations, especially in remote and inaccessible areas where carcass disposal poses considerable logistical challenges. One proposed solution is to utilise natural decomposition above ground through the 'destroy and let lie' (D&LL) method, relying on post-mortem changes in carcass temperature and pH to inactivate the EAD agent. We investigated temperature and pH changes in pig carcasses from death until end-stage decomposition at two locations in Queensland to gain insights into how carcasses left in situ decompose under Australian conditions. Using regression modelling, we identified days since humane killing, air temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, anatomical site and study location as significant predictors of carcass pH and temperature. Although the observed carcass pH and temperature conditions did not meet African swine fever virus (ASFV) inactivation thresholds, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was likely to be inactivated in the thoracic cavity, superficial and deep skeletal muscle and abdominal cavity of most carcasses. However, FMDV inactivation thresholds were not reached in bone marrow and brain. This suggests that these carcasses may potentially remain infectious with ASFV and FMDV in situ under the experimental conditions encountered, based on the inactivation thresholds selected. Despite this, culling large portions of a feral pig population, in conjunction with D&LL disposal approach, may still support disease control imperatives during an EAD response by reducing live pig numbers and disease transmission.

Age- and agro-climatic zone-specific variations in post-vaccinal antibody responses to FMD vaccination in bovine populations: a longitudinal study from Karnataka, India.

This longitudinal study examined variations in post-vaccination antibody response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination in bovines across different age groups and agro-climatic zones in Karnataka, India. A total of 374 serum samples were collected from 28 villages across nine agroclimatic zones, targeting pre- and post-vaccination titers for FMD virus serotypes O, A, and Asia-1. Analysis via single-dilution liquid-phase blocking ELISA revealed significant findings: pre-vaccination immune proportions were below the herd immunity threshold (< 80%) for serotypes O and Asia-1 but exceeded it for serotype A. Younger bovines (< 24 months) displayed notably lower antibody titers (log₁₀1.67-1.99) compared to older cattle (> 24 months; log₁₀2.14-2.44), highlighting the age-dependent vaccine response variability. Agroclimatic disparities were evident, with regions like the Coastal and Central Dry Zones failing to achieve protective titers (log₁₀<1.8) even post-vaccination, whereas zones like the Eastern Dry Zone demonstrated marked improvements. Post-vaccination seromonitoring showed an overall increase in immune proportions for all serotypes, yet younger cattle and certain agroclimatic zones remained suboptimal. These findings emphasize the importance of region-specific vaccination strategies and the need for tailored booster protocols to enhance immunity in younger bovines. The study underscores the utility of seromonitoring in optimizing FMD control programs by addressing age and agro-climatic disparities in immune responses.

Evaluation of the immune effect of foot-and-mouth disease virus-like particles derived from Pichia Pastoris on mice and pigs

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute, highly contagious, infectious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals and the healthy development of animal husbandry. Despite the pivotal role of the inactivated FMD vaccine in preventing and controlling the disease, the production and preparation of the inactivated vaccine still present certain safety concerns. Virus-like particles (VLPs), which have a shell structure similar to that of the viruses but lack the genetic material of viruses, have emerged as a prominent area of research on developing next-generation FMD vaccines. In this study, co-expression of P1 and 3C was implemented to obtain the capsid protein of FMD virus (FMDV), and VLPs of FMD were prepared using Pichia Pastoris. Given that the enzymatic activity of 3C is not ideal in acidic yeast cells, the HLH pattern structure was added to the N-terminal end of 3C, which can be anchored near the exit of the nascent peptide chain of ribosomes. Furthermore, the alcohol oxidase (AOX) promoter, which regulates the expression of 3C, was enhanced by mutation. Then, FMDV VLPs were successfully produced in yeast. Immunization of mice and pigs with VLPs resulted in high levels of specific and neutralizing antibodies and provided protection against FMDV in pigs. In conclusion, FMDV VLPs can be successfully produced in P. Pastoris. This offers a new way to develop FMDV VLP vaccines.

Determinants of Foot and Mouth Virus in Eastern Algeria.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle with significant economic impact. This cross-sectional field study aims to determine the current serological status of FMD in Algerian cattle herds. The objectives were: to evaluate post-vaccination antibody responses to non-structural proteins (NSPs) in vaccinated cattle under the Algerian FMD control program, and to identify circulating Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) strains while assessing vaccine efficacy. From September to November 2019, we collected 573 blood samples from clinically healthy, vaccinated cattle four weeks post-vaccination. Differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals was accomplished through detection of antibodies against NSPs using the FMDV 3ABC-AB ELISA assay for serotype determination. Results revealed that 112 samples (19.55%) tested positive for FMDV NSP antibodies, while 461 samples (80.45%) were negative. Only serotype O was identified among the positive samples. Sex (OR = 12.01; 95% CI: [5.60-25.75]) and age (OR = 9.38; 95% CI: [5.72-15.39]) were identified as significant risk factors for infection susceptibility. This study provides the first data on FMD prevalence and highlights the current serological status in Algeria. Our findings suggest the existing vaccination scheme requires optimization based on regional risk assessment and serological monitoring. We recommend implementing animal identification for traceability, cross-border surveillance, and molecular-spatial modeling to target interventions in high-risk areas.

Heat shock protein 60 manipulates Foot-and-Mouth disease virus replication by regulating mitophagy

Mitochondria serve as the hubs of cellular signaling, energetics, and redox balance under physiological conditions. Mitochondria play an essential role in defending against pathogenic infections upon virus invasion. As a critical intracellular physiological process, mitophagy is crucial for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. Accumulating evidence suggests that mitophagy contributes to modulating viral infection. In our previous study, we reported that heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is involved in orchestrating autophagy; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we examined the role of HSP60 in priming mitophagy to regulate foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) replication. We first reported that mitophagy was elicited post-FMDV infection and further restricted FMDV replication. Regarding HSP60, our results showed that HSP60 depletion triggered Parkin-dependent mitophagy via activating dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) phosphorylation at Ser616 and promoting Drp1 translocation to mitochondria. Furthermore, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) was essential for phosphorylating Drp1 at Ser616 in HSP60-depleted cells. Taken together, HSP60 manipulates FMDV replication by governing mitophagy. Importantly, HSP60 could be a promising antiviral target for controlling FMDV infection.

Foot-and-mouth disease: genomic and proteomic structure, antigenic sites, serotype relationships, immune evasion, recent vaccine development strategies, and future perspectives.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and transmissible disease that can have significant economic and trade repercussions during outbreaks. In Egypt, despite efforts to mitigate FMD through mandatory immunization, the disease continues to pose a threat due to the high genetic variability and quasi-species nature of the FMD virus (FMDV). Vaccines have been crucial in preventing and managing FMD, and ongoing research focusses on developing next-generation vaccines that could provide universal protection against all FMDV serotypes. This review thoroughly examines the genetic structure of FMDV, including its polyprotein cleavage process and the roles of its structural and non-structural proteins in immune evasion. Additionally, it explores topics such as antigenic sites, specific mutations, and serotype relationships from Egypt and Ethiopia, as well as the structural changes in FMDV serotypes for vaccine development. The review also addresses the challenges associated with creating effective vaccines for controlling FMD, particularly focusing on the epitope-based vaccine. Overall, this review offers valuable insights for researchers seeking to develop effective strategies and vaccines for controlling FMD.

Longitudinal study of foot-and-mouth disease virus in Northern Nigeria: implications for the roles of small ruminants and environmental contamination in endemic settings

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed ungulates. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the role of small ruminants and environmental contamination in the epidemiology and endemicity of FMD. A longitudinal study was conducted between March 2021 and October 2021 in northern Nigeria, where monthly samples were collected from five households, one livestock market and one transhumance location in two local government areas (LGA) identified as being at high risk of FMD. Serum samples (n = 783), oral swabs (n = 424) and environmental swabs (n = 458) were collected and tested for the presence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) RNA by rRT-PCR. Serum samples (n = 780) were also tested for the presence of antibodies against FMDV non-structural proteins. The proportion of FMDV RNA positive samples increased in all sample types collected in one LGA during the period when an FMD outbreak was reported in the same LGA. In contrast, sero-positive samples did not differ by month but differed between LGAs and amongst species. The force of infection estimated from age-seroprevalence data for each household was significantly lower in goats compared with both cattle or sheep. Five O/EA-3 topotype sequences were obtained from selected FMDV RNA positive samples; findings which support the use of environmental swabs to detect circulating FMDV strains in endemic settings. These results show oral and environmental swabs are suitable sampling methods for early detection at animal and herd level, respectively and provide insights on the role of small ruminants on FMD epidemiology.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH: ETIOLOGY, PATHOGENESIS, PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES

The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Republic of Kazakhstan was detected in the East Kazakhstan region in 2013. As part of the approved FMD control strategy, the country's territory is divided into 2 free FMD zones (with and without vaccination).Specialists of the International Epizootic Bureau were invited to the republic, and the vaccines used were analyzed. And we must admit that this work has yielded certain results. Nine regions have been granted FMD-free status without vaccination. However, for the first time in many years, in January 2022, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, a dangerous viral disease that can be transmitted to humans, was detected in the Karaganda region. Which crossed out almost all the work done on the way to well-being and zeroed out the chances for the development of export animal husbandry.Foot–and-mouth disease is a cross-border disease, the source of which is domestic and wild ungulates. This disease is caused by a virus of the genus Aphthovirus of the Picornaviridae family, which affects artiodactyls, both wild and domestic. Transmission of FMD virus from sick animals to other susceptible animals can occur directly or indirectly. Treatment and control of foot-andmouth disease among livestock or animals can be carried out through isolation and quarantine of sick animals, vaccination programs, biosafety measures in animal husbandry, monitoring of livestock movement and surveillance.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus activates glycolysis and hijacks HK2 to inhibit innate immunity and promote viral replication

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) severely restricts the healthy development of global animal husbandry, and the unclear pathogenic mechanism of FMD virus (FMDV) leads to difficulty in preventing and purifying FMD. Glycolytic remodelling is considered one of the hallmarks of viral infection, providing energy and precursors for viral assembly and replication. In this work, the interaction and mechanism between FMDV and glycolysis were explored from the perspective of immune metabolism. We found that FMDV infection increased the extracellular acidification rate, lactic acid accumulation, and HK2 level. In addition, during FMDV infection, HK2 enhances glycolytic activity and mediates autophagic degradation of IRF3/7 to antagonize the innate immune response, thereby promoting viral replication. Our findings provide evidence that FMDV is closely correlated with host metabolism, increasing the understanding that glycolysis and HK2 facilitate virus infection, and provide new ideas for further elucidating the pathogenic mechanism of FMDV.

Porcine antibodies reveal novel non-neutralizing universal epitopes on FMDV and their overlaps with neutralization sites.

Porcine antibodies reveal novel non-neutralizing universal epitopes on FMDV and their overlaps with neutralization sites.

Nano-adjuvant based on lipo-imiquimod self-assembly for enhanced foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine immune responses via intradermal immunization.

Nano-adjuvant based on lipo-imiquimod self-assembly for enhanced foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine immune responses via intradermal immunization.

Retrospective analysis of submissions to the World Reference Laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease: What can these data tell us about the role of small ruminants in disease epidemiology?

Retrospective analysis of submissions to the World Reference Laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease: What can these data tell us about the role of small ruminants in disease epidemiology?

Heat shock protein A1 inhibits the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus by degrading viral RNA polymerase 3D through chaperone-mediated autophagy.

Viral RNA replication is the key stage in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). During this process, the viral non-structural protein 3D serves as an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to synthesize progeny RNA using the viral genomic RNA as a template. However, the regulatory effect of host cells on FMDV 3D proteins has not yet been studied. In this study, we find that heat shock protein A1 (HSPA1) degrades the viral 3D protein through the chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) pathway, thereby inhibiting the RNA replication of FMDV and interfering with virus infection. This study, for the first time, demonstrates that HSPA1 employs its chaperone function to mediate the degradation of the FMDV RdRp.

Effect of foot and mouth disease virus infection on hematobiochemical profile in goats under natural conditions

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious viral disease that has a high economic impact on livestock industry affecting large and small ruminant. Most research works are carried out on hematobiochemical alteration due to FMD virus (FMDV) in bovine but there is a paucity of literature and a dearth of research on how FMDV affects the hematobiochemical profiles of goats. This study was aimed to investigate the impact of FMDV on hematobiochemical profile of goats. Forty two whole blood samples were collected from FMDV-infected (n=32) and apparently healthy (n=10) goats to estimate hematobiochemical profile alteration. There was a significant (p&lt;01) decrease in values of hematobiochemical parameters viz. haemoglobin (6.45±0.55 g%), total erythrocytes (4.22±0.27x106/µl), packed cell volume (21.35±1.66%), mean corpuscular volume (50.49±0.65 fl), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (15.24±0.32 pg), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (30.19±0.25 gm/dl), glucose (20.42±4.24 mg/dL), alanine transaminase (29.26±3.74 U/L), blood urea nitrogen (39.57±4.46 mg/dL), serum creatinine (0.7±0.12 mg/dL), sodium ion (143.73±1.33 mEq/L), total protein (7.57±0.55 g/dL), albumin (3.15±0.31 g/dL), globulin (4.425±0.37 g/dL). There was a significant (p&lt;01) increase of aspartate transaminase (86.36±11.41 U/L), albumin: globulin ratio (0.715±0.08) as well as cholesterol (104.77±0.86 mg/dL) and no significant changes were observed in alkaline phosphatase (267.76±236.52 U/L), potassium ion (5.21±0.36 mEq/L), neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils in FMDV infected goats than the apparently healthy goat. Hematobiochemical parameters alter significantly in goat during the active phase of FMDV infection under natural condition and these findings would be useful for developing a therapeutic or preventive measure to avoid the biotic stress and negative effect of FMD virus infection in convalescent goat.

Detection and genomic characterization of foot and mouth disease virus SAT2 XIV topotype using amplicon-based nanopore sequencing.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious vesicular viral disease that infects cloven-hoofed animals. This disease is caused by Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) which is composed of seven serotypes (O, A, C, Asia-1, SAT1, SAT2, and SAT3), each of which lacks cross immune protection among serotypes which complicates vaccination strategies. For that, sequencing of viral protein 1 (VP1) is crucial to identify circulating serotypes in a country. Jordan is endemic for FMD, with primarily O and A serotypes circulating according to previous data. However, the epidemiological status of FMD requires updates in Jordan. In this study, out of 200 samples collected during a recent outbreak in Al-Dhlail, Jordan in early 2023, forty-nine were positive by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Fourteen of these positive samples were selected for PCR amplification of the viral protein 1 (VP1) gene, which were then sequenced using nanopore technology. Phylogenetic analysis highlighted the presence of SAT2 XIV topotype, with eleven samples successfully sequenced using this approach. In addition to that, Sanger sequencing validated a N137S SNP in the VP1 protein that initially identified by our approach. This study provides additional data that can be used and incorporated into the national and global efforts against this disease with new means of diagnostics methods.

Comprehensive single-cell profiling of T and B cell subsets in mice reveals impacts on memory immune responses in FMDV infection.

Comprehensive single-cell profiling of T and B cell subsets in mice reveals impacts on memory immune responses in FMDV infection.

Impact of foot-and-mouth disease virus on memory T and B cell populations in swine.

Impact of foot-and-mouth disease virus on memory T and B cell populations in swine.

Sero-Prevalence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Cattle in Selected Districts of Jimma Zone, South-Western Ethiopia.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is highly contagious and results in a high economic loss in the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 in three selected districts to determine the sero-prevalence of FMD. A total of 384 cattle sera samples were collected and tested for antibodies against FMD virus using FMD NSP c-ELISA. The overall sero-prevalence of 25.3% was determined. Sero-prevalence of 31.0%, 32.37% and 4.5% was seen in the districts. Higher sero-prevalence was observed in Limmu Seka, and the disease was statistically significant in both Limmu Kosa and Limmu Seka districts (p < 0.05). Higher sero-prevalence was seen at Ambabesa Sadeka Peasant Association (42.86%). However, except Ambabesa Sadeka peasant association (PA), there was no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) of FMD occurrence among the nine PAs. Higher sero-prevalence was recorded in females (33.65%), old age (39.1%), poor body condition (43.0%) and herd size (43.1%). Therefore, sex, age, body condition of the animals and herd size showed significant association (p < 0.05) in the occurrence of FMD in the study areas. Purchased animals were highly infected (56.4%), and there was also a statistically significant association in the origin of the animals (p < 0.05). Overall, FMD is an economically important disease in the study areas. Further studies are warranted to characterize FMD virus serotypes in the areas and investigation in wildlife and small ruminants is needed to determine their roles in FMD virus maintenance and transmission.

The leader proteinase of foot-and-mouth disease virus: Efficiency through exosites.

The leader proteinase of foot-and-mouth disease virus: Efficiency through exosites.

Mapping novel antigenic determinants on foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia 1 using neutralising monoclonal antibody resistant mutants.

Mapping novel antigenic determinants on foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia 1 using neutralising monoclonal antibody resistant mutants.