Hong KW, et al. Yonsei Med J. 2023 Oct;64(10):641-645. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2023.0189

Background: It is essential to consider a practical antibody test to successfully implement marker vaccines and validate vaccination efficacy against classical swine fever virus (CSFV). The test should include a serological antibody assay, combined with a tool for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). The immunochromatographic test strip (ICS) has been exclusively designed for detecting CSFV E2 antibodies while lacking in detecting E^rns antibodies, which can be employed and satisfy DIVA strategy. This study developed a novel ICS for detecting CSFV E2/E^rns dual-antibody. The effectiveness of ICS in evaluating the DIVA capability of two novel chimeric pestivirus vaccine candidates was assessed.Methods: Recombinant E2 or E^rns protein was transiently expressed in the plant benthamiana using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. ICS was subsequently assembled, and goat anti-rabbit IgG and recombinant CSFV E2 or E^rns protein were plated onto the nitrocellulose membrane as control and test lines, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ICS were evaluated using sera with different neutralizing antibody titers or positive for antibodies against CSFV and other pestiviruses. The coincidence rates for detecting E2 and E^rns antibodies between ICS and commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were also computed. ICS performance for DIVA capability was evaluated using sera from pigs vaccinated with conventional vaccine or chimeric vaccine candidates.Results: E2 and E^rns proteins were successfully expressed in N. benthamiana-produced recombinant proteins. ICS demonstrated high sensitivity in identifying CSFV E2 and E^rns antibodies, even at the low neutralizing antibody titers. No cross-reactivity with antibodies from other pestiviruses was confirmed using ICS. There were high agreement rates of 93.0 and 96.5% between ICS and two commercial ELISA kits for E2 antibody testing. ICS also achieved strong coincidence rates of 92.9 and 89.3% with two ELISA kits for E^rns antibody detection. ICS confirmed the absence of CSFV E^rns-specific antibodies in sera from pigs vaccinated with chimeric vaccine candidates.Conclusion: E2 and E^rns proteins derived from the plant showed great potential and can be used to engineer a CSFV E2/E^rns dual-antibody ICS. The ICS was also highly sensitive and specific for detecting CSFV E2 and E^rns antibodies. Significantly, ICS can fulfill the DIVA concept by incorporating chimeric vaccine candidates.

Kudoa septempunctata is a myxosporean parasite that infects the trunk muscles of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and has been reported to cause foodborne illnesses in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying K. septempunctata spore toxicity remain largely unknown. In this study, the gastroenteropathy of K. septempunctata was examined in human colon adenocarcinoma cells as well as experimental mice inoculated with spores. We found that K. septempunctata decreased transepithelial resistance and disrupted epithelial tight junctions by deleting ZO-1 in Caco-2 monolayers. Additionally, serotonin (5-HT), an emetic neurotransmitter, was increased in K. septempunctata-inoculated cells. In vivo, K. septempunctata spores induced diarrhea in suckling mice (80% in ddY and 70% in ICR mice), with a minimum provocative dose of 2 × 10⁵ K. septempunctata spores. In house musk shrews, K. septempunctata induced emesis within 1 h and induced serotonin secretion in the intestinal epithelium. In conclusion, K. septempunctata may induce diarrhea and emesis by increasing intestinal permeability and serotonin secretion.

OBJECTIVES: Kudoa septempunctata has been identified as the causative agent of food poisoning following the consumption of raw farmed Paralichthys olivaceus. However, cohort studies providing robust evidence for an association between K. septempunctata and gastrointestinal symptoms remain limited. This prospective cohort study investigated the association between the consumption of K. septempunctata–infected farmed P. olivaceus and the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms.METHODS: Individuals who purchased raw farmed P. olivaceus between 2020 and 2021 were selected as the study population. Study data included 2 rounds of questionnaire surveys administered before and after consumption, 2 muscle specimens obtained from each purchased fish, and human biological specimens collected from individuals who developed gastrointestinal symptoms within 24 hours after consumption. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and t-test, and the association between consumption of K. septempunctata–infected farmed P. olivaceus and gastrointestinal symptoms was evaluated using relative risk estimates between exposure groups.RESULTS: The relative risk of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with exposure to K. septempunctata–infected P. olivaceus ranged from 71.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.0 to 178.6) to 124.5 (95% CI, 43.5 to 355.0) across the 2 case definitions. A strong and statistically significant association was observed between exposure to K. septempunctata–infected P. olivaceus and the development of acute gastrointestinal symptoms.CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate both an association and a causal relationship between consumption of K. septempunctata–infected farmed P. olivaceus and the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives

Reference materials (RMs) are essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of infectious disease test results. Since 2016, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established annual RM project plans that systematically review various requirements and produce high-quality RMs according to the guidelines established by the Korean Industrial Standards (KS) A International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 35 (Guidance on the Evaluation of Homogeneity and Stability of Reference Materials), KS A ISO 17034 (General Requirements for the Competence of Reference Material Producers), and the World Health Organization Technical Report Series. RMs are produced by establishing a material production plan, acquiring raw materials and production materials, and dispensing and packaging materials that have been confirmed to possess conformity characteristics. RMs are produced from manufactured candidate reference materials that have been confirmed to have homogeneous and stable characteristics through homogeneity and stability assessments. The resulting RMs serve multiple purposes, functioning as positive controls for infectious disease testing, internal quality assurance materials, and as a basis for development and validation of testing methodologies for emerging diseases. Additionally, select items are deposited in the National Culture Collection for Pathogens to facilitate their accessibility by relevant public and private organizations.