Veterinary and Zoonotic Virology (VEZ-VIR)
The overarching goal of our work is to contribute to increased animal welfare and food safety in the Danish animal production. The core research areas are veterinary and zoonotic viral diseases in production animals.
Contact
The Veterinary and Zoonotic Virology group
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Dyrlægevej 88, building 1-09
Frederiksberg Campus
DK-1870 Frederiksberg C
We seek to enhance understanding of virus biology spanning from the molecular level to the disease caused in the animal. We have extensive experience in studying animal viruses and continue to use this knowledge to develop improved control measures for the diseases including vaccines.
In a recent study we found large differences in the viral dynamics, pathogenesis and viral shedding in pigs infected with human and swine adapted influenza A viruses. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011838
In another study we characterized the pathological and virological findings in seals infected with HPAI viruses. https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.13208
We also recently identified the release of high levels of cellular DNA into the blood of ASFV-infected pigs, presumably reflecting large amounts of cell death caused by the virus. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15102133
- Kristensen C, Laybourn HA, Crumpton JC, Martiny K, Webb A, Ryt-Hansen P, Trebbien R, Jensen HE, Nissen JN, Skovgaard K, Webby RJ, Larsen LE. 2023. Experimental infection of pigs and ferrets with “pre-pandemic,” human-adapted, and swine-adapted variants of the H1N1pdm09 Influenza A virus reveals significant differences in viral dynamics and pathological manifestations. PLoS Pathog 19(12): e1011838. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011838
- Liang Y, Hjulsager CK, Jensen TK, Hammer ASV, Ovesen MT, Larsen LE. 2023. Characterization of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5Nx viruses from a wild harbor seal and red foxes in Denmark, 2021 and 2022. Influenza Other RespiViruses. 2023;17(10):e13208. https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.13208
- Olesen AS, Lohse L, Johnston CM, Rasmussen TB, Bøtner A, Belsham GJ. Increased Presence of Circulating Cell-Free, Fragmented, Host DNA in Pigs Infected with Virulent African Swine Fever Virus. Viruses. 2023 Oct 21;15(10):2133. doi: 10.3390/v15102133
Redskaber til kontrol af virusinfektioner i danske kalve
Samarbejde: Tobias Volhøj, Dyrlæge og Ko
Formål: At undersøge smittedynamikken og den kliniske betydning af Influenza D virus i danske kalve.
Bevillingsgiver: Kvægafgiftsfonden 1.1.2024-31.12.2024. kr. 749.000.
Redskaber til kontrol af virusinfektioner i danske svin
SEGES Innovation har/har planlagt at indsamle prøver i 2-3 besætninger med henblik på at undersøge effekten af en række management tiltag på reduktion af smittetrykket i farestalden. KU gennemfører de tilknyttede virusundersøgelser.
Sponsor: Svineafgiftsfonden, 1.1.2024-31.12.2024
Avian influenza: Vaccination and molecular biological characterization
The aim of the project is to make research on the efficacy and application of vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV). Furthermore, based on viruses sequenced in relation to the passive and active surveillance program for HPAIV in Denmark, detailed phylogenetic analyses will be performed. Furthermore, the project participants will assist in the evaluation of outbreaks in poultry and mammals
Grant: Veterinary contingency program. 2024-25. 4.8 million DKK.
Surveillance of Influenza A virus in Danish pigs
FluZooMark: Viral and Host Factors of Zoonotic and Pandemic Influenza A Viruses
Researchers in virology and immunology in animals and humans will work together to characterize human and animal influenza viruses to find out why some influenza viruses can transmit from swine to humans. The project is expected to generate groundbreaking new tools for preventing future influenza pandemics in humans and provide knowledge that can be used in the future to design improved vaccines for humans and animals.
Funding: Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge program 2019. 60 mill. DKK.
PIGIE - Understanding the dynamics and evolution of swine influenza viruses in Europe
Researchers from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom will perform a longitudinal that will provide essential knowledge for improved intervention and sustainable pig production, and will also be important for further development of more accurate diagnostic tools and relevant vaccines.
Funding: ICRAD; 1,353,000 DKK (1,375,00 EURO in total)
The Biology of Insect-borne Flaviviruses.
These RNA viruses (e.g. West Nile virus) can replicate in insect, avian and mammalian hosts. Infections by these flaviviruses can cause disease and mortality in birds and in a range of different “dead-end” mammalian hosts including horses. Such viruses are spreading across Europe. Currently, there is limited understanding of the basis of host specificity for these viruses, and a lack of tools to follow the adaptation of the virus. In addition, current serological assays for these viruses are hampered by cross-reactivities between them. This project, in close collaboration with SSI, will seek to address some of these issues.
Funding: FVST from the Research Reserve Initiative. 2024-27. ca. 3 mill. DKK
EU Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare (EUP AH&W)- Joint Internal Project OO3-Action 1.
Basic knowledge on priority pathogens and infectious diseases. The aim is to gain basic knowledge on priority swine pathogens, specifically for us on African swine fever virus. We are performing analyses of gene expression in ASFV-infected cells.
Funding: 220.000 Euros. 2024-25.
Listed under Projects
Group/project members
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andersen, Kirsten Lise | Research Consultant | +4535336331 | |
| Bedsted, Amalie Ehlers | Research Assistant | +4535322562 | |
| Belsham, Graham John | Professor | +4535334565 | |
| George, Sophie Joanna | Research Assistant | ||
| Goecke, Nicole Bakkegård | Assistant Professor | +4535327222 | |
| Grønnegaard, Nina Dam | Laboratory Technician | +4535328312 | |
| Helstad, Bjørg Skovmand | Research Assistant | ||
| Kristensen, Charlotte | Postdoc | +4535325008 | |
| Kristensen, Thea | Postdoc | +4535326340 | |
| Larsen, Lars Erik | Professor | +4535332329 | |
| Liang, Yuan | Postdoc | +4535337865 | |
| Martiny, Karen | PhD Fellow | +4535322266 | |
| Normann, Preben | Laboratory Technician | +4535330117 | |
| Petric, Philipp Peter | Postdoc | +4535331118 | |
| Rogersen, Jonathan Rahlff | External | +4535325694 | |
| Romar, Mathias | PhD Fellow | +4535333553 | |
| Ryt-Hansen, Pia | Postdoc | +4535334530 | |
| Schmidt, Marianne Viuf Agerlin | PhD Fellow | +4535333043 | |
| Selnihhin, Denis | Postdoc | +4535325489 | |
| Tran, Hue Thi Thanh | Laboratory Technician | +4535322549 |