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Viruses Dec 2022To investigate virus diversity in hot zones of probable pathogen spillover, 54 oral-fecal swabs were processed from five bat species collected from three cave systems in...
BACKGROUND AND METHODS
To investigate virus diversity in hot zones of probable pathogen spillover, 54 oral-fecal swabs were processed from five bat species collected from three cave systems in Kenya, using metagenome sequencing.
RESULTS
Viruses belonging to the , , , , and were detected, with unclassified viruses. Retroviral sequences were prevalent; 74.1% of all samples were positive, with distinct correlations between virus, site and host bat species. Detected retroviruses comprised , , and Galidia endogenous retroviruses, murine leukemia virus-related virus and retrovirus (RFRV). A near-complete genome of a local RFRV strain with identical genome organization and 2.8% nucleotide divergence from the prototype isolate was characterized. Bat coronavirus sequences were detected with a prevalence of 24.1%, where analyses on the ORF1ab region revealed a novel alphacoronavirus lineage. Astrovirus sequences were detected in 25.9%of all samples, with considerable diversity. In 9.2% of the samples, other viruses including Actinidia yellowing virus 2, bat betaherpesvirus, Bole tick virus 4, Cyclovirus and Rhopalosiphum padi virus were identified.
CONCLUSIONS
Further monitoring of bats across Kenya is essential to facilitate early recognition of possibly emergent zoonotic viruses.
Topics: Animals; Alphacoronavirus; Astroviridae; Chiroptera; COVID-19; Herpesviridae; Kenya; Phylogeny; Retroviridae; RNA Viruses; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 36560824
DOI: 10.3390/v14122820 -
PloS One 2022Avian astroviruses (AAstVs) have caused major problem for poultry breeding industries in China in recent years, and the goose gout caused by goose astrovirus has...
Avian astroviruses (AAstVs) have caused major problem for poultry breeding industries in China in recent years, and the goose gout caused by goose astrovirus has produced particularly great economic losses. To better understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of AAstVs in China, 1210 poultry samples collected from eight provinces were tested with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect AAstV infections in different poultry populations. Then, Open reading frames 2 (ORF2) was amplified by specific primers, and the genetic evolution was analyzed. Our surveillance data demonstrate the diversity of AAstVs in China insofar as we detected 17 AAstVs, including seven chicken astroviruses (CAstVs), five avian nephritis viruses (ANVs), two goose astroviruses (GoAstVs), two duck astrovirus (DAstVs), and one new AAstV belonging to Avastrovirus Group 3. The positive rate of AAstV infection was 1.40%. Host analysis showed that CAstVs and ANVs were isolated from chickens, DAstVs and GoAstVs were isolated from ducks. Host-species-specific AAstVs infections were also identified in numerous samples collected at each stage of production. This study provides further evidence to better understand the epidemiology of AAstVs in different species of poultry in China.
Topics: Animals; Astroviridae Infections; Avastrovirus; Chickens; Ducks; Geese; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Phylogeny; Poultry Diseases
PubMed: 35226672
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264308 -
Viruses Sep 2020Porcine astrovirus (PAstV), associated with mild diarrhea and neurological disease, is transmitted in pig farms worldwide. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the...
Porcine astrovirus (PAstV), associated with mild diarrhea and neurological disease, is transmitted in pig farms worldwide. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the main factors affecting codon usage to PAstVs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the subtype PAstV-5 sat at the bottom of phylogenetic tree, followed by PAstV-3, PAstV-1, PAstV-2, and PAstV-4, indicating that the five existing subtypes (PAstV1-PAstV5) may be formed by multiple differentiations of PAstV ancestors. A codon usage bias was found in the PAstVs-2,3,4,5 from the analyses of effective number of codons (ENC) and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU). Nucleotides A/U are more frequently used than nucleotides C/G in the genome CDSs of the PAstVs-3,4,5. Codon usage patterns of PAstV-5 are dominated by mutation pressure and natural selection, while natural selection is the main evolutionary force that affects the codon usage pattern of PAstVs-2,3,4. The analyses of codon adaptation index (CAI), relative codon deoptimization index (RCDI), and similarity index (SiD) showed the codon usage similarities between the PAstV and animals might contribute to the broad host range and the cross-species transmission of astrovirus. Our results provide insight into understanding the PAstV evolution and codon usage patterns.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Astroviridae; Astroviridae Infections; Codon; Codon Usage; Genome, Viral; Phylogeny; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 32899965
DOI: 10.3390/v12090991 -
Journal of Virology May 2020Ectoparasites play an important role in virus transmission among vertebrates. Little, however, is known about the nature of those viruses that pass between invertebrates...
Ectoparasites play an important role in virus transmission among vertebrates. Little, however, is known about the nature of those viruses that pass between invertebrates and vertebrates. In Australia, flies and fleas support the mechanical transmission of two viral biological controls against wild rabbits-rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and myxoma virus. We compared virome compositions in rabbits and these ectoparasites, sequencing total RNA from multiple tissues and gut contents of wild rabbits, fleas collected from these rabbits, and flies trapped sympatrically. Meta-transcriptomic analyses identified 50 novel viruses from multiple RNA virus families. Rabbits and their ectoparasites were characterized by markedly different viromes, with virus abundance greatest in flies. Although viral contigs from six virus families/groups were found in both rabbits and ectoparasites, they clustered in distinct host-dependent lineages. A novel calicivirus and a picornavirus detected in rabbit cecal content were vertebrate specific; the newly detected calicivirus was distinct from known rabbit caliciviruses, while the picornavirus clustered with sapeloviruses. Several picobirnaviruses were also identified that fell in diverse phylogenetic positions, compatible with the idea that they are associated with bacteria. Further comparative analysis revealed that the remaining viruses found in rabbits, and all those from ectoparasites, were likely associated with invertebrates, plants, and coinfecting endosymbionts. While no full genomes of vertebrate-associated viruses were detected in ectoparasites, small numbers of reads from rabbit astrovirus, RHDV, and other lagoviruses were present in flies. This supports a role for flies in the mechanical transmission of RHDV, while their involvement in astrovirus transmission merits additional exploration. Ectoparasites play an important role in the transmission of many vertebrate-infecting viruses, including Zika and dengue viruses. Although it is becoming increasingly clear that invertebrate species harbor substantial virus diversity, it is unclear how many of the viruses carried by invertebrates have the potential to infect vertebrate species. We used the European rabbit () as a model species to compare virome compositions in a vertebrate host and known associated ectoparasite mechanical vectors, in this case, fleas and blowflies. In particular, we aimed to infer the extent of viral transfer between these distinct types of host. Our analysis revealed that despite extensive viral diversity in both rabbits and associated ectoparasites, and the close interaction of these vertebrate and invertebrate species, biological viral transmission from ectoparasites to vertebrate species is rare. We did, however, find evidence to support the idea of a role of blowflies in transmitting viruses without active replication in the insect.
Topics: Animals; Astroviridae; Genome, Viral; Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit; Myxoma virus; RNA, Viral; Rabbits; Siphonaptera
PubMed: 32188733
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02119-19 -
Viral Immunology 2005Coat proteins of non-enveloped, icosahedral viruses must perform a variety of functions during their life cycle such as assembly of the coat protein subunits into a... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Coat proteins of non-enveloped, icosahedral viruses must perform a variety of functions during their life cycle such as assembly of the coat protein subunits into a closed shell, specific encapsidation of the viral nucleic acid, maturation of the capsid, interaction with host receptors, and disassembly to deliver the genetic information into the newly infected cell. A thorough understanding of the multiple capsid properties at the molecular level is required in order to identify potential targets for antiviral therapy and the prevention of viral disease. The system we have chosen for study is the astrovirus, a family of icosahedral, single-stranded RNA viruses that cause disease in mammals and birds. Very little is known about what regions of the coat protein contribute to the diverse capsid functions. This review will present novel structural predictions for the coat protein sequence of different astrovirus family members. Based on these predictions, we hypothesize that the assembly and RNA packaging functions of the astrovirus coat protein constitutes an individual domain distinct from the determinants required for receptor binding and internalization. Information derived from these structural predictions will serve as an important tool in designing experiments to understand astrovirus biology.
Topics: Capsid; Capsid Proteins; Mamastrovirus; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Receptors, Virus; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Virus Assembly
PubMed: 15802951
DOI: 10.1089/vim.2005.18.17 -
Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... Oct 2011Astroviruses are small, non-enveloped, positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses first identified in 1975 in children suffering from diarrhea and then described in a... (Review)
Review
Astroviruses are small, non-enveloped, positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses first identified in 1975 in children suffering from diarrhea and then described in a wide variety of animals. To date, the list of animal species susceptible to astrovirus infection has expanded to 22 animal species or families, including domestic, synantropic and wild animals, avian, and mammalian species in the terrestrial and aquatic environments. Astrovirus infections are considered among the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children, second only to rotavirus infections, but in animals their association with enteric diseases is not well documented, with the exception of turkey and mink astrovirus infection. Genetic variability has been described in almost all astrovirus species sufficiently examined infecting mammals and birds; however, antigenic variability has been demonstrated for human astroviruses but is far less investigated in animal viruses. Interestingly, there is an increasing evidence of recombination events occurring in astroviruses, which contributes to increase the genetic variability of this group of viruses. A wide variety of species infected, the evident virus genetic diversity and the occurrence of recombination events indicate or imply either cross-species transmission and subsequent virus adaptation to new hosts or the co-infection of the same host with different astroviruses. This can also favor the emergence of novel astroviruses infecting animals or with a zoonotic potential. After more than 30 years from their first description in humans, there are many exciting streams of research to be explored and intriguing questions that remain to be answered about the relatively under-studied Astroviridae family. In the present work, we will review the existing knowledge concerning astrovirus infections in humans and animals, with particular focus on the molecular biology, interspecies transmission and zoonotic potential of this group of viruses.
Topics: Animals; Astroviridae; Astroviridae Infections; Base Sequence; DNA, Viral; Genetic Variation; Humans; Phylogeny; Species Specificity; Zoonoses
PubMed: 21843659
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.07.024 -
Viruses Dec 2022Goose astrovirus (GAstV) is an important pathogen causing visceral gout and high mortality in goslings, which has broken out and spread across China. In 2021, a disease...
Goose astrovirus (GAstV) is an important pathogen causing visceral gout and high mortality in goslings, which has broken out and spread across China. In 2021, a disease characterized by urate deposition on the visceral surface and 30% mortality occurred in commercial adult Landaise geese in Zhejiang Province, China. A systematic study identified an infecting astrovirus, designated ZJCX, that was efficiently isolated from a diseased goose with a chicken hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (LMH). In contrast to other GAstVs originating from goslings, ZJCX caused cytopathogenic effects in LMH cells, and the crystalline arrangement of viral particles was observed through transmission electron microscopy. Indeed, phylogenetic analysis and nucleotide homology comparison revealed that ZJCX isolate belongs to the genotype II cluster of GAstVs and displays 97.8-98.4% identity with other GAstV II strains. However, several specific mutations occurred in the polyprotein and capsid protein regions. Moreover, a pathogenicity assessment of ZJCX with a gosling model was conducted, and typical visceral gout was reproduced and led to 18% mortality. The viral loads of ZJCX in the blood, kidney, and liver were detected with specific primers after inoculation, which demonstrated that the kidney and liver presented viral loads peaking at seven days post-inoculation (dpi). Biochemical parameter examination showed that AST, ALT, γ-GT, UA, and BUN levels were significantly increased by GAstV, whereas body weight was reduced. Overall, this study indicated that the GAstV isolate could infect adult geese, and the results regarding the viral loads and biochemical parameters induced by ZJCX provide insight into GAstV pathogenicity.
Topics: Animals; Geese; Astroviridae Infections; Phylogeny; Virulence; Poultry Diseases; Avastrovirus; Gout; China
PubMed: 36560810
DOI: 10.3390/v14122806 -
Comparative Immunology, Microbiology... 1981A brief presentation is given of the enteric viral infections of young animals. The general characteristics of rotaviruses, coronaviruses and parvoviruses are reported,... (Review)
Review
A brief presentation is given of the enteric viral infections of young animals. The general characteristics of rotaviruses, coronaviruses and parvoviruses are reported, and the different aspects of the diseases associated with these viruses are discussed. Certain suggestions are made regarding the prevention of these diseases.
Topics: Animals; Caliciviridae; Coronaviridae; Coronaviridae Infections; Diarrhea; Feces; Humans; Mamastrovirus; Parvoviridae; Reoviridae Infections; Rotavirus; Viral Vaccines; Virus Diseases; Virus Replication
PubMed: 6277556
DOI: 10.1016/0147-9571(81)90008-4 -
Journal of Virology Nov 2020Although astroviruses causes enteric diseases and encephalitis in humans and nephritis and hepatitis in poultry, astrovirus infection is thought to be self-limiting....
Although astroviruses causes enteric diseases and encephalitis in humans and nephritis and hepatitis in poultry, astrovirus infection is thought to be self-limiting. However, little is known about its molecular mechanism. In this study, we found that a novel goose astrovirus (GAstV), GAstV-GD, and its open reading frame 2 (ORF2) could efficiently activate the innate immune response and induce a high level of OASL and The truncation assay for ORF2 further revealed that the P2 domain of ORF2 contributed to stimulating OASL, whereas the acidic C terminus of ORF2 attenuated such activation. Moreover, the overexpression and knockdown of OASL could efficiently restrict and promote the viral replication of GAstV-GD, respectively. Our data not only give novel insights for elucidating self-limiting infection by astrovirus but also provide virus and host targets for fighting against astroviruses. Astroviruses cause gastroenteritis and encephalitis in human, and nephritis, hepatitis, and gout disease in poultry. However, the host immune response activated by astrovirus is mostly unknown. Here, we found that a novel goose astrovirus, GAstV-GD, and its ORF2 protein could efficiently induce a high level of OASL and which could feed back to restrict the replication of GAstV-GD, revealing novel innate molecules triggered by astroviruses and highlighting that the ORF2 of GAstV-GD and OASL can be potential antiviral targets for astroviruses.
Topics: 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase; Animals; Astroviridae; Astroviridae Infections; Cell Line; Geese; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Immunity, Innate; Kinetics; Open Reading Frames; Poultry Diseases; Transcriptome; Virus Replication
PubMed: 32967952
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01767-20 -
Clinical and Vaccine Immunology : CVI Jun 2014To determine the seroprevalence of astrovirus MLB1 (MLB1), an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established. MLB1 seropositivity was high in...
To determine the seroprevalence of astrovirus MLB1 (MLB1), an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established. MLB1 seropositivity was high in children <6 months old, decreased to a nadir at 12 to 23 months old, and increased to 100% by adulthood. MLB1 infection is common, and primary exposure occurs in childhood.
Topics: Antibodies, Viral; Astroviridae Infections; Capsid; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Feces; Humans; Infant; Mamastrovirus; Open Reading Frames; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 24789796
DOI: 10.1128/CVI.00100-14