Epitope identification of rabies virus nucleoprotein using immunoinformatics approach

Abstract Background Rabies is a deadly and preventable disease. The nucleoprotein of rabies virus has been found to have group-specific antigenic determinants. The rabies virus nucleoprotein can shield dogs and mice from the lethal infection. Early diagnosis of rabies is crucial for the prevention of rabies. Methods In this study, B-cell epitopes of the nucleoprotein gene of the rabies virus were identified, and the characteristics of the epitopes were analyzed using various bioinformatics tools, such as the immune epitope database\u27s Bepipred Major Histocompatibility Complex II (IEDB MHC II) prediction tool, NetCTL 1.2, Vaxijen v20, AllerTOP v2.0 server. Results Fourteen epitopes were predicted in the nucleoprotein sequence of the rabies virus. We observed that B-cell epitopes have a high affinity for binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II. Notably, the selected strain\u27s conserved region yielded a total of thirty weak binders and eight strong binders, all exhibiting a binding affinity with allele H-2-IAb. The study also ventured into antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity predictions. Three of the ten peptides were identified as potential allergens, while the remaining seven were classified as non-allergens. Interestingly, none of the peptides were found to be toxic. Conclusion B cells are a critical component of adaptive immunity, producing neutralizing antibodies, and are crucial in blocking viral entry and attachment. Henceforth, epitopes identified in this study can be utilized to produce monoclonal antibodies or vaccines for therapeutic purposes. The discovered epitope is a functional potential repertoire for developing serodiagnostic tests and epitope-based peptide vaccines

Sheep Associated-Malignant Catarrhal Fever: Past, present, and future

Members of Artiodactyla can contract the infectious disease Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF), which has a wide range of symptoms. Ten known viruses contribute to the disease, the two most significant ones being Ovine gamma herpes virus 2 (OvHV-2) and Alcelaphine gamma herpes virus 1 (AIHV-1). In the African subcontinent, AIHV-1 is seen in most MCF cases. In the Indian scenario, Ovine gamma herpes virus-2 is the main culprit. MCF is reported in certain pockets of India. Its threat to wildlife is not yet completely understood. In AIHV-1, wildebeests serve as the primary MCF reservoir, whereas with OvHV-2, the primary MCF reservoir is sheep. In India, OvHV-2 causes MCF in deer species, bison, and water buffaloe. The life cycle and properties of this virus are not yet wholly deciphered. To understand the impact of the disease and the threat it may pose in the future, we need to have diagnostic techniques in place. Currently, PCR is the most commonly used diagnostic technique. Work should be done on field-oriented tests like ELISA and LFA, which are helpful in areas without sophisticated lab facilities. Treatment protocols must be in place, as culling bovines is not an accepted policy in India. Probable plans for overcoming all these problems are discussed in this article

Reviewing Solutions of Scale for Canine Rabies Elimination in India

Canine rabies elimination can be achieved through mass vaccination of the dog population, as advocated by the WHO, OIE and FAO under the 'United Against Rabies' initiative. Many countries in which canine rabies is endemic are exploring methods to access dogs for vaccination, campaign structures and approaches to resource mobilization. Reviewing aspects that fostered success in rabies elimination campaigns elsewhere, as well as examples of largescale resource mobilization, such as that seen in the global initiative to eliminate poliomyelitis, may help to guide the planning of sustainable, scalable methods for mass dog vaccination. Elimination of rabies from the majority of Latin America took over 30 years, with years of operational trial and error before a particular approach gained the broad support of decision makers, governments and funders to enable widespread implementation. The endeavour to eliminate polio now enters its final stages; however, there are many transferrable lessons to adopt from the past 32 years of global scale-up. Additionally, there is a need to support operational research, which explores the practicalities of mass dog vaccination roll-out and what are likely to be feasible solutions at scale. This article reviews the processes that supported the scale-up of these interventions, discusses pragmatic considerations of campaign duration and work-force size and finally provides an examples hypothetical resource requirements for implementing mass dog vaccination at scale in Indian cities, with a view to supporting the planning of pilot campaigns from which expanded efforts can grow

Immunization of sheep with DNA coding for the variable region of anti-idiotypic antibody generates humoral and cell mediated immune responses specific for peste des petits ruminants virus

This article does not have an abstract

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of some new pyrazole based Schiff bases

AbstractIn the present study a series of new Schiff bases were synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, mass spectral and elemental analyses. Newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) activity. The results revealed that, compounds 3f and 3c have exhibited significant biological activity against the tested microorganisms

Evaluation of a polyclonal antibody based sandwich ELISA for the detection of faecal antigens in Schistosoma spindale infection in bovines

Schistosomosis is a common parasitic infection in animals prevalent in cattle in Asia and Africa, where it is estimated that at least 165 million animals are infected. Out of the 10 species reported to naturally infect cattle only Schistosoma nasale and Schistosoma spindale have received particular attention, because of their recognized veterinary significance. Although animal schistosomes may, under rare conditions favouring intensive transmission, act as important pathogens in endemic areas occur at a subclinical level, causing significant losses due to long term effects on animal growth and productivity. The detection of Schistosoma antigens in serum or stool could be more valuable in diagnosis, hence early treatment before irreparable damage. In this study, fresh adult worms of S. spindale were collected from the mesenteric blood vessels, whole worm antigen was prepared. These were immunized to rabbit and guinea pig to raise antibodies against S. spindale. Polyclonal antibodies of rabbit are further used as primary capture antibodies to coat ELISA plates. The capture of antibodies of guinea pig was conjugation with horse reddish peroxidase was used as secondary antibodies. Sandwich ELISA was performed to detect Schistosoma antigens in faecal samples collected from a total of 86 infected cattle and buffaloes. The working dilutions of capture antibody, detecting antibody and conjugate were found to be 1:32, 1:20 and 1:5,000 respectively by checker board titration method. The dilution of faecal supernatant antigens of S. spindale antibodies was 1:80. Out of 86 faecal samples, 77 samples were positive by Sandwich ELISA indicating 89.54 % infection. Where as in control samples none of the samples was positive. In mixed infection out of 20 samples positive for fasciola, amphistome and hydatid, Out of 20 samples 2 samples were positive indicating 10 % infection rate. The overall sensitivity of this test is 88.65 % and specificity was 90.90 %. It could be concluded that sandwich ELISA is a rapid, easy and sensitive assay for diagnosis of S.spindale infection in bovines

Simultaneous Detection of Velogenic Genotype XIII 2.2 Avian Avulavirus Type 1 (AAvV-1) From Spot-billed Pelican and Backyard Chicken: Implications to the Viral Maintenance and Spread

Abstract The present study demonstrates simultaneous isolation of genetically similar velogenic Avian Avula virus-1 from an apparently healthy spot- billed pelican and a naturally infected backyard chicken in the adjacent vicinity. A total of fourty eight cloacal swab samples from migratory birds (Painted storks, n=32 and Spot billed pelicans, n=16) at the Telineelapuram bird sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh, India and tissue samples of dead backyard chicken were collected. Two isolates were recovered, one each from a spot billed pelican (MIG-9) and a dead chicken (SKLM-1). The isolates were confirmed as velogenic based on mean death time, intra cerebral pathogenicity index and the putative fusion protein cleavage site (113R-R-K-R-F117). Phylogenetic analysis based on full- length fusion and attachment (HN) proteins classified the isolates into genotype XIII, sub- genotype 2.2. Sequence analysis revealed that the pelican and chicken isolates were 100% identical. The study isolates demonstrated multiple amino acid substitutions at several critical domains of F and HN proteins when compared with the current vaccine strains. Pathogenic and transmission potential of the AAvV-1 isolates was evaluated in three- week old chicken and the isolates proved to be highly virulent to chicken. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence for the role of spot-billed pelicans in the maintenance of virulent AAvV-1 and its transmission to chicken. This study further highlights the role of wild birds in AAvV-1 transmission and the need for enhanced biosecurity in commercial poultry operations.</jats:p