African swine fever virus NL gene is not required for virus virulence

C. L. Afonso, L. Zsak, C. Carrillo, M. V. Borca, D. L. Rock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Previously, we described a highly conserved nonessential African swine fever virus (ASFV) right variable region gene, NL. Deletion of NL from the European pathogenic isolate E70 resulted in almost complete attenuation of the virus in domestic swine. To study gene function further, NL gene deletion mutants were constructed from two pathogenic African ASFV isolates, Malawi Lil-20/1 (Mal) and Pretoriuskop/96/4 (Pr4). Unexpectedly, both Mal (Mal-ΔNL) and PR4 (Pr4ΔNL) null mutants remained highly virulent when inoculated in swine. Mal-ΔNL exhibited a disease and virulence phenotype indistinguishable from its revertant, Mal-NLR, which caused 100% mortality. Mortality among Pr4ΔNL-infected animals was also high; however, a significant delay in onset of fever and viraemia and in time to death was observed. These data indicate that NL gene function is not required for ASFV virulence and that other yet-to-be identified viral determinants perform significant virulence functions in these African field isolates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2543-2547
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of General Virology
Volume79
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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