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Poultry Science May 2024An outbreak of duck astrovirus (DAstV) has occurred in duck farming regions of China, causing substantial economic setbacks in the duck industry. This investigation...
An outbreak of duck astrovirus (DAstV) has occurred in duck farming regions of China, causing substantial economic setbacks in the duck industry. This investigation aimed to examine the variations in DAstV pathogenicity among ducks at different age intervals. Infections were induced in ducks at distinct age groups (1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d) utilizing the DAstv-1-GDB-2022 strain. The results indicate increased pathogenicity of the DAstv-1-GDB-2022 strain in ducklings aged 21 to 28 d, manifesting as liver and kidney enlargement, severe bleeding, and potential fatalities. Conversely, ducklings aged 1 and 14 d displayed milder symptoms postinfection. Notably, viral shedding continued in ducks of diverse age groups even 21 d postinfection (Dpi). Moreover, DAstV replicates in various tissues, predominantly affecting the liver. Immunohistochemical tests using rabbit anti-DAstV antibodies revealed robust positive signals in both the liver and kidneys, which correlated with the clinical symptom severity observed through macroscopic and microscopic examinations. Serum biochemical assays and indirect ELISA demonstrated a consistent response to DAstV infection across different age groups, with older ducklings exhibiting increased sensitivity. In conclusion, this study successfully replicated clinical symptoms similar to those of natural DAstV infection using the DAstv-1-GDB-2022 strain. Importantly, we systematically delineated the differences in susceptibility to DAstV among ducks at various ages, laying the foundation for further research into the pathogenic mechanisms of DAstV and potential vaccine development.
Topics: Animals; Ducks; Poultry Diseases; Astroviridae Infections; Avastrovirus; Age Factors; Disease Susceptibility; China
PubMed: 38447308
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103564 -
Microbiology Spectrum Dec 2023Astroviruses (AstV) are known suspects of enteric disease in humans and livestock. Recently, AstV have been linked to encephalitis in immunocompromised patients and...
Astroviruses (AstV) are known suspects of enteric disease in humans and livestock. Recently, AstV have been linked to encephalitis in immunocompromised patients and other animals, such as cattle, minks, and swine. In our study, we also identified AstV in the respiratory samples of calves with signs of bronchopneumonia, suggesting that their tropism could be even broader. We obtained one bovine AstV (BAstV) complete genome sequence by next-generation sequencing and showed that respiratory and enteric AstV from different species formed a divergent genetic cluster with AstV isolated from encephalitis cases, indicating that tropism might be strain-specific. These data provide further insight into understanding the biology of these understudied pathogens and suggest BAstV as a potential new candidate for bovine respiratory disease.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Humans; Swine; Astroviridae Infections; Bronchopneumonia; Virome; Phylogeny; Astroviridae; Cattle Diseases; Encephalitis; Respiratory System; Feces
PubMed: 37982636
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03026-23 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Jun 2024Occupational exposure to pathogens can pose health risks. This study investigates the viral exposure of workers in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and a swine farm...
Occupational exposure to pathogens can pose health risks. This study investigates the viral exposure of workers in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and a swine farm by analyzing aerosol and surfaces samples. Viral contamination was evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, and target enrichment sequencing (TES) was performed to identify the vertebrate viruses to which workers might be exposed. Additionally, Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was conducted to estimate the occupational risk associated with viral exposure for WWTP workers, choosing Human Adenovirus (HAdV) as the reference pathogen. In the swine farm, QMRA was performed as an extrapolation, considering a hypothetical zoonotic virus with characteristics similar to Porcine Adenovirus (PAdV). The modelled exposure routes included aerosol inhalation and oral ingestion through contaminated surfaces and hand-to-mouth contact. HAdV and PAdV were widespread viruses in the WWTP and the swine farm, respectively, by qPCR assays. TES identified human and other vertebrate viruses WWTP samples, including viruses from families such as Adenoviridae, Circoviridae, Orthoherpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, and Parvoviridae. In the swine farm, most of the identified vertebrate viruses were porcine viruses belonging to Adenoviridae, Astroviridae, Circoviridae, Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, Parvoviridae, Picornaviridae, and Retroviridae. QMRA analysis revealed noteworthy risks of viral infections for WWTP workers if safety measures are not taken. The probability of illness due to HAdV inhalation was higher in summer compared to winter, while the greatest risk from oral ingestion was observed in workspaces during winter. Swine farm QMRA simulation suggested a potential occupational risk in the case of exposure to a hypothetical zoonotic virus. This study provides valuable insights into WWTP and swine farm worker's occupational exposure to human and other vertebrate viruses. QMRA and NGS analyses conducted in this study will assist managers in making evidence-based decisions, facilitating the implementation of protection measures, and risk mitigation practices for workers.
Topics: Animals; Swine; Occupational Exposure; Wastewater; Humans; Risk Assessment; Farms; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Viruses; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 38555823
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114360 -
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic... May 2024Astroviruses have been found in cattle and other species with encephalitis. Our objective was to determine the frequency of neurotropic bovine astrovirus (BoAstV) in...
Astroviruses have been found in cattle and other species with encephalitis. Our objective was to determine the frequency of neurotropic bovine astrovirus (BoAstV) in cases of encephalitis in cattle ≥ 4-mo-old. Of 56 cases of idiopathic lymphocytic encephalitis examined retrospectively (1988-2019), fixed brain from 11 cases (19%) tested positive by semi-quantitative RT-PCR for BoAstV CH13/NeuroS1. None of the control cases tested positive, including 32 with other forms of encephalitis and 40 with no neurologic disease. Most astrovirus-positive cases were 1-2-y-old, with a range of 7 mo to 7 y, and affected both beef and dairy breeds with wide geographic distribution. BoAstV-positive cases had acute onset of neurologic signs of 12 h to 7 d before death or euthanasia. Affected cattle had lymphocytic inflammation throughout the brain including cerebrum, thalamus, midbrain, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord, and affecting gray and white matter. Further PCR testing identified a possible cause in 9 of the 45 (20%) remaining idiopathic cases of lymphocytic encephalitis, including eastern equine encephalitis virus, , bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, and ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (malignant catarrhal fever); we found no cases of infection by West Nile virus, rabies virus, or spp. No cause was identified in 36 of 56 (64%) cases of lymphocytic encephalitis. We frequently identified neurotropic BoAstV in cases of lymphocytic encephalitis that had no previously identified cause. Neurotropic BoAstV infections had gone undetected for decades, but the frequency of BoAstV infections has not increased among contemporary cases.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Astroviridae Infections; Cattle Diseases; Retrospective Studies; Ontario; Female; Male; Encephalitis, Viral; Astroviridae
PubMed: 38500024
DOI: 10.1177/10406387241237192 -
Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria Aug 2024Introduction. Data on the frequency of enteric adenoviruses, sapoviruses, and astroviruses in cases of sporadic acute gastroenteritis in Argentina are scarce. Methods....
Introduction. Data on the frequency of enteric adenoviruses, sapoviruses, and astroviruses in cases of sporadic acute gastroenteritis in Argentina are scarce. Methods. Descriptive design of a selection of fecal samples of children with diarrhea younger than 5 years referred between 2010 and 2021, with a previous negative result for rotavirus and norovirus. The presence of enteric adenovirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus was tested by molecular methods, with subsequent genotyping of positive samples. Results. At least 1 of the tested viruses was detected in 226 (39.4%) of the 574 selected samples. Specifically, adenovirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus were detected in 30.7%, 5.6%, and 3.1% of the samples, respectively. The most frequent viruses detected were adenovirus 41, sapoviruses GI.1 and GI.2, and astrovirus 1. Non-classic astroviruses were detected in 2 samples. Conclusions. Despite being less frequent, these enteropathogens are responsible for a large number of sporadic diarrhea events. Therefore, their study and surveillance contribute significantly to reduce the gap of undiagnosed cases.
Topics: Humans; Argentina; Gastroenteritis; Infant; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Male; Female; Sapovirus; Feces; Genotype; Infant, Newborn; Astroviridae
PubMed: 38457266
DOI: 10.5546/aap.2023-10148.eng -
Current Biology : CB Mar 2024Adaptive radiations are generated through a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors. Although adaptive radiations have been widely studied in the context of...
Adaptive radiations are generated through a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors. Although adaptive radiations have been widely studied in the context of animal and plant evolution, little is known about how they impact the evolution of the viruses that infect these hosts, which in turn may provide insights into the drivers of cross-species transmission and hence disease emergence. We examined how the rapid adaptive radiation of the cichlid fishes of African Lake Tanganyika over the last 10 million years has shaped the diversity and evolution of the viruses they carry. Through metatranscriptomic analysis of 2,242 RNA sequencing libraries, we identified 121 vertebrate-associated viruses among various tissue types that fell into 13 RNA and 4 DNA virus groups. Host-switching was commonplace, particularly within the Astroviridae, Metahepadnavirus, Nackednavirus, Picornaviridae, and Hepacivirus groups, occurring more frequently than in other fish communities. A time-calibrated phylogeny revealed that hepacivirus diversification was not constant throughout the cichlid radiation but accelerated 2-3 million years ago, coinciding with a period of rapid cichlid diversification and niche packing in Lake Tanganyika, thereby providing more closely related hosts for viral infection. These data depict a dynamic virus ecosystem within the cichlids of Lake Tanganyika, characterized by rapid virus diversification and frequent host jumping, and likely reflecting their close phylogenetic relationships that lower the barriers to cross-species virus transmission.
Topics: Animals; Phylogeny; Ecosystem; Tanzania; Lakes; Cichlids; Viruses
PubMed: 38428417
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.008 -
Viruses May 2024(1) Goose astrovirus (GAstV) is a novel emerging pathogen that causes significant economic losses in waterfowl farming. A convenient, sensitive, and specific detection...
(1) Goose astrovirus (GAstV) is a novel emerging pathogen that causes significant economic losses in waterfowl farming. A convenient, sensitive, and specific detection method for GAstV in field samples is important in order to effectively control GAstV. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is a novel, sensitive, good-precision, and absolute quantitation PCR technology which does not require calibration curves. (2) In this study, we developed a ddPCR system for the sensitive and accurate quantification of GAstV using the conserved region of the ORF2 gene. (3) The detection limit of ddPCR was 10 copies/µL, ~28 times greater sensitivity than quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The specificity of the test was determined by the failure of amplification of other avian viruses. Both ddPCR and qPCR tests showed good repeatability and linearity, and the established ddPCR method had high sensitivity and good specificity to GAstV. Clinical sample test results showed that the positive rate of ddPCR (88.89%) was higher than that of qPCR (58.33%). (4) As a result, our results suggest that the newly developed ddPCR method might offer improved analytical sensitivity and specificity in its GAstV measurements. The ddPCR could be widely applied in clinical tests for GAstV infections.
Topics: Animals; Astroviridae Infections; Sensitivity and Specificity; Geese; Avastrovirus; Poultry Diseases; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reproducibility of Results; Astroviridae; Limit of Detection
PubMed: 38793646
DOI: 10.3390/v16050765 -
Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... Jan 2024Livestock plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and driving the global economy. However, viral infections can have far-reaching consequences beyond economic...
Livestock plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and driving the global economy. However, viral infections can have far-reaching consequences beyond economic productivity, affecting the health of cattle, as well as posing risks to human health and other animals. Identifying viruses present in fecal samples, a primary route of pathogen transmission, is essential for developing effective prevention, control, and surveillance strategies. Viral metagenomic approaches offer a broader perspective and hold great potential for detecting previously unknown viruses or uncovering previously undescribed agents. Ubaté Province is Colombia's dairy capital and a key center for livestock production in the country. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize viral communities in fecal samples from cattle in this region. A total of 42 samples were collected from three municipalities in Ubaté Province, located in central Colombia, using a convenient non-probabilistic sampling method. We utilized metagenomic sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), combined with diversity and phylogenetic analysis. The findings revealed a consistent and stable viral composition across the municipalities, primarily comprising members of the Picornaviridae family. At the species level, the most frequent viruses were Enterovirus E (EVE) and Bovine Astrovirus (BoAstV). Significantly, this study reported, for the first time in Colombia, the presence of viruses with veterinary importance occurring at notable frequencies: EVE (59%), Bovine Kobuvirus (BKV) (52%), and BoAstV (19%). Additionally, the study confirmed the existence of Circular replicase-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) Virus in animal feces. These sequences were phylogenetically grouped with samples obtained from Asia and Latin America, underscoring the importance of having adequate representation across the continent. The virome of bovine feces in Ubaté Province is characterized by the predominance of potentially pathogenic viruses such as BoAstV and EVE that have been reported with substantial frequency and quantities. Several of these viruses were identified in Colombia for the first time. This study showcases the utility of using metagenomic sequencing techniques in epidemiological surveillance. It also paves the way for further research on the influence of these agents on bovine health and their frecuency across the country.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cattle; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Colombia; Viruses; Astroviridae; Feces; Metagenomics; Enterovirus; Kobuvirus
PubMed: 38135265
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105543 -
Poultry Science May 2024Goose astrovirus (GAstV) is a newly identified viral pathogen threatening waterfowl, exhibiting a high prevalence across various regions in China. Notably, the Guanghan...
Goose astrovirus (GAstV) is a newly identified viral pathogen threatening waterfowl, exhibiting a high prevalence across various regions in China. Notably, the Guanghan District of Deyang City, situated in Sichuan Province, has faced a outbreak of GAstV, resulting in significant mortality among goslings due to the induction of gout-like symptoms. In our research, we successfully isolated a GAstV strain known as GAstV SCG3. This strain exhibits efficient replication capabilities, proving virulent in goslings and goose embryos. Our study delved into the characteristics of GAstV SCG3 both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we examined tissue phagocytosis and the distribution of GAstV SCG3 in deceased goslings using H&E staining and IHC techniques. According to the classification established by the ICTV, GAstV SCG3 falls under the category of GAstV genotype-2. Notably, it demonstrates the highest homology with the published AHAU5 sequences, reaching an impressive 98%. Furthermore, our findings revealed that GAstV SCG3 exhibits efficient proliferation exclusively in goose embryos and in LMH cells, while not manifesting in seven other types of avian and mammalian cells. Significantly, the mortality of GAstV on goslings and goose embryos are 93.1 and 80%, respectively. Moreover, the viral load in the livers of infected goslings surpasses that in the kidneys when compared with the attenuated strain GAstV SCG2. The mortality of GAstV is usually between 20% and 50%, our study marks the first report of a virulent GAstV strain with such a high mortality.
Topics: Animals; Geese; Poultry Diseases; Astroviridae Infections; Genotype; Virulence; Avastrovirus; China; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38492247
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103585 -
Poultry Science Jul 2024Goose astrovirus genotype 2 (GAstV-2) mainly causes gout in goslings; therefore, it is a major pathogen threatening to goose flocks. However, the mechanisms underlying...
Goose astrovirus genotype 2 (GAstV-2) mainly causes gout in goslings; therefore, it is a major pathogen threatening to goose flocks. However, the mechanisms underlying host-GAstV-2 interactions remain unclear because host cells suitable for GAstV-2 replication have been unavailable. We previously noted that GAstV-2 is primarily located in goose renal epithelial cells, where it causes kidney damage. Therefore, here, we derived goose primary renal tubular epithelial (RTE) cells (GRTE cells) from the kidneys of goose embryos after collagenase I digestion. After culture in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium/Nutrient mixture F-12 with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), the isolated cells had polygonal with roadstone-like morphology; they were identified to be epithelial cells based on the presence of cytokeratin 18 expression detected through immunofluorescence assay (IFA). GAstV-2 infection in GRTE cells led to no obvious cytopathic effects; the maximum amounts of infectious virions were observed 48 h post infection through IFA and quantitative PCR. Next, RNA-seq was performed to identify and map post-GAstV-2 infection differentially expressed genes. The downregulated pathways were mainly related to metabolism, including tryptophan metabolism, drug metabolism by cytochrome P450, xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P450, retinol metabolism, butanoate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, and drug metabolism by other enzymes and peroxisome. In contrast, the upregulated pathways were mostly related to the host cell defense and proliferation, including extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, complement and coagulation cascades, phagosome, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, human T-lymphotropic virus 1 infection, lysosome, and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. In conclusion, we developed a GRTE cell line for GAstV-2 replication and analyzed the potential host-GAstV-2 interactions through RNA-seq; our results may aid in further investigating the pathogenic mechanisms underlying GAstV-2 infection and provide strategies for its prevention and control.
Topics: Animals; Geese; Epithelial Cells; Poultry Diseases; Genotype; Astroviridae Infections; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Kidney Tubules; Avastrovirus; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38669820
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103774