Study of the variability of the coding regions of the p26 and gp90 proteins of strains of the Brazilian Equine Infectious Anemia virus (EIA)

• Grant number: 18/13111-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2018
• End date: March 20, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: João Pessoa Araújo Junior
• Grantee: Jaqueline Assumpção Diniz
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biotecnologia (IBTEC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a disease caused by a globally distributed retrovirus that strikes equidae causing serious economic damage. It is a notifiable disease by the OIE (International Organization for Animal Health) and in Brazil the Pantanal region has high rates of disease prevalence. The officially recognized tests in the diagnosis are the IDGA (Immunodiffusion in Agar Gel) and the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and the p26 and gp90 proteins are the main antigens used in the IDGA and ELISA respectively. However, studies comparing molecular tests with officers are presenting discordant results, so it is hypothesized that these modifications stem from the genetic variability of p26 and gp90 proteins, since the virus is mutagenic. Modifications in virus genes can result in structural changes that may predispose to the production of antibodies that are unable to recognize the antigens used in the tests, leading to false negative results. This work aims to characterize the antigens p26 and gp90 of strains of the IAV virus from the Brazilian Pantanal. Leukocyte and plasma samples from 100 horses previously tested by serology (IDGA and ELISA) and by the seminested-PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and real-time PCR (qPCR) molecular tests will be used. Samples will be submitted to the conventional PCR technique and Multiplex PCR. The results obtained from the set of primers will be cloned and later sequenced by the Sanger method together with the conventional PCR product. At the end, identity analyzes will be performed between the sequences of the identified p26 and gp90 proteins and those available in database, in addition to the structural comparison of epitopes already identified in the literature. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

DINIZ, Jaqueline Assumpção. Variability of the coding regions of the p26 and gp90 proteins of the equine infectious anemia virus circulating in the Brazilian Pantanal.. 2022. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Botucatu Botucatu.