PSEUDORABIES VIRUS

Herpesviruses are large DNA viruses with an envelope. The Alphaherpesvirus subfamily of the herpesviruses comprises closely related members of man and animal, including herpes simplex virus (cold sores, genital ulcerae) and varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox, shingles) in man, pseudorabies virus in pigs and equine herpesvirus 1 in horses (both nervous disorders, respiratory problems, abortion), bovine herpesvirus 1 in cattle (IBR, respiratory problems, abortion), etc.
We use pseudorabies virus (PRV) as a model system for alphaherpesviruses in general. Several virus-cell interactions are studied with emphasis on...

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PORCINE REPRODUCTIVE AND RESPIRATORY SYNDROME VIRUS

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a positive strand RNA virus that is grouped in the Family Arteriviridae, Order Nidovirales. The virus has a restricted tropism for a subset of differentiated macrophages which can be identified by expression of the receptor sialoadhesin. PRRSV infection causes reproductive disorders, which are in pregnant sows characterized by early, weak and still born piglets. In infected boars, the virus is excreted in the semen and sperm abnormalities are observed. Besides the reproductive disorders, the virus is also associated with the respiratory disease complex, which can be especially severe in young piglets.
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INFLUENZA VIRUS

under construction...
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EQUINE HERPESVIRUS TYPE I

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1), a member of the family Herpesviridae, subfamily alphaherpesvirinae, is an important pathogen of horses, worldwide. Upon infection, the virus replicates in the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, causing mild respiratory disorders. Afterwards, EHV1 penetrates through the basement membrane into deeper respiratory tissues and blood circulation. Carried by infected blood mononuclear cells, EHV1 spreads to internal organs such as the pregnant uterus and the nervous system. Here, local virus replication may result in abortion and nervous system disorders including ataxia and paralysis.
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FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS VIRUS

There are two coronaviruses in cats: feline enteric coronavirus and feline infectious peritonitis virus. Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) only causes problems in young kittens during their first weeks of life when they are not protected by a lactogenic immunity. In elder cats, FECV infections occur subclinically. FECV is endemic in cat populations. It generally causes infections in young kittens after weaning, when the protection by milk antibodies is gone. Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) is a mutant of FECV that induces a progressive lethal disease. There are two forms: the wet and dry form. The wet form is characterized by a fulminant pleuritis and/or peritonitis. Typical is...
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PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS TYPE 2

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a new disease that hits pig industry. Epizootics have run over Canada, France, Spain, UK, Sweden, Denmark and very recently the US and Canada again. Belgium like a lot of other countries has sporadic cases of PMWS. As the name indicates, the disease is characterized by wasting after weaning. Porcine circovirus type 2 is the main etiology of PMWS, although it is generally accepted that more than a PCV2-infection is necessary to cause disease. PCV2 is circulating for at least decades without causing a lot of clinical disorders in most countries. Why this virus causes problems during certain periods and in certain regions is still not understood. PCV2 is also associated with a lot of other syndromes such as reproductive disorders and porcine respiratory disease complex. Research is in progress to ...

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PORCINE RESPIRATORY CORONAVIRUS

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WHITE SPOT SYNDROME VIRUS

In 1992, a new viral disease called white spot syndrome (WSS) appeared in shrimp farms in northern Taiwan causing massive mortality. Within a few years the virus spread all over the world. The causative agent is called white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). It belongs to the family of the Nimaviridae. The disease is characterized by white spots, reddish discoloration, reduced feed uptake and slow response to stimuli. Cumulative mortality may reach up to 100% within 10 days after the onset of disease.
In 2002, the Laboratory of Virology started a research project in collaboration with the Artemia Reference Center (ARC) of Prof. P. Sorgeloos. It was the purpose to better understand the virus-host interactions and to try to find solutions for controlling the disease. For the first time, this shrimp virus was titrated and used in a highly standardized inoculation model. This model allowed...

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MURINE CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

We recently isolated a mouse cytomegalovirus from a Mus musculus. Work is ongoing for characterizing the virus and understanding the pathogenesis.

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