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Queiroz VF, Rodrigues RAL, Boratto PVDM, La Scola B, Andreani J, Abrahão JS. Amoebae: Hiding in Plain Sight: Unappreciated Hosts for the Very Large Viruses. Annu Rev Virol 2022; 9:79-98. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-100520-125832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
For decades, viruses have been isolated primarily from humans and other organisms. Interestingly, one of the most complex sides of the virosphere was discovered using free-living amoebae as hosts. The discovery of giant viruses in the early twenty-first century opened a new chapter in the field of virology. Giant viruses are included in the phylum Nucleocytoviricota and harbor large and complex DNA genomes (up to 2.7 Mb) encoding genes never before seen in the virosphere and presenting gigantic particles (up to 1.5 μm). Different amoebae have been used to isolate and characterize a plethora of new viruses with exciting details about novel viral biology. Through distinct isolation techniques and metagenomics, the diversity and complexity of giant viruses have astonished the scientific community. Here, we discuss the latest findings on amoeba viruses and how using these single-celled organisms as hosts has revealed entities that have remained hidden in plain sight for ages. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 9 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victória Fulgêncio Queiroz
- Laboratório de Vírus, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Araújo Lima Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Vírus, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Bernard La Scola
- Department of Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Julien Andreani
- Department of Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Jônatas Santos Abrahão
- Laboratório de Vírus, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Rayamajhee B, Subedi D, Peguda HK, Willcox MD, Henriquez FL, Carnt N. A Systematic Review of Intracellular Microorganisms within Acanthamoeba to Understand Potential Impact for Infection. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020225. [PMID: 33670718 PMCID: PMC7922382 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic pathogen is known to cause an infection of the cornea, central nervous system, and skin. Acanthamoeba feeds different microorganisms, including potentially pathogenic prokaryotes; some of microbes have developed ways of surviving intracellularly and this may mean that Acanthamoeba acts as incubator of important pathogens. A systematic review of the literature was performed in order to capture a comprehensive picture of the variety of microbial species identified within Acanthamoeba following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, 26 studies (60.5%) examined environmental samples, eight (18.6%) studies examined clinical specimens, and another nine (20.9%) studies analysed both types of samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by gene sequencing was the most common technique used to identify the intracellular microorganisms. Important pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli, Mycobacterium spp. and P. aeruginosa, were observed in clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba, whereas Legionella, adenovirus, mimivirus, and unidentified bacteria (Candidatus) were often identified in environmental Acanthamoeba. Increasing resistance of Acanthamoeba associated intracellular pathogens to antimicrobials is an increased risk to public health. Molecular-based future studies are needed in order to assess the microbiome residing in Acanthamoeba, as a research on the hypotheses that intracellular microbes can affect the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binod Rayamajhee
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
- Department of Infection and Immunology, Kathmandu Research Institute for Biological Sciences (KRIBS), Lalitpur 44700, Nepal
- Correspondence: or
| | - Dinesh Subedi
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;
| | - Hari Kumar Peguda
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
| | - Mark Duncan Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
| | - Fiona L. Henriquez
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland (UWS), Paisley PA1 2BE, UK;
| | - Nicole Carnt
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
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Akashi M, Takemura M. Co-Isolation and Characterization of Two Pandoraviruses and a Mimivirus from a Riverbank in Japan. Viruses 2019; 11:v11121123. [PMID: 31817274 PMCID: PMC6950457 DOI: 10.3390/v11121123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant viruses, like pandoraviruses and mimiviruses, have been discovered from diverse environments, and their broad global distribution has been established. Here, we report two new isolates of Pandoravirus spp. and one Mimivirus sp., named Pandoravirus hades, Pandoravirus persephone, and Mimivirus sp. isolate styx, co-isolated from riverbank soil in Japan. We obtained nearly complete sequences of the family B DNA polymerase gene (polB) of P. hades and P. persephone; the former carried two known intein regions, while the latter had only one. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two new pandoravirus isolates are closely related to Pandoravirus dulcis. Furthermore, random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis revealed that P. hades and P. persephone might harbor different genome structures. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the partial polB sequence, Mimivirus sp. isolate styx belongs to mimivirus lineage A. DNA staining suggested that the Pandoravirus spp. asynchronously replicates in amoeba cells while Mimivirus sp. replicates synchronously. We also observed that P. persephone- or Mimivirus sp. isolate styx-infected amoeba cytoplasm is extruded by the cells. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report the isolation of pandoraviruses in Asia. In addition, our results emphasize the importance of virus isolation from soil to reveal the ecology of giant viruses.
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Contact lens-related polymicrobial keratitis: Acanthamoeba spp. genotype T4 and Candida albicans. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3431-3436. [PMID: 30094541 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6037-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A 31-year-old female daily user of contact lenses sought medical attention, reporting blurred vision and irritation of the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed hyperemia and an irregular corneal epithelium surface, and empirical treatment was started. A corneal scrape was obtained and examined for the presence of fungi, bacteria, and Acanthamoeba spp. The results of the microbial culture revealed growth of Acanthamoeba spp. and Candida albicans. The Acanthamoeba isolate was characterized by cyst morphology as belonging to group II according to Pussard and Pons. Sequencing of the diagnostic fragment 3 (DF3) region located on the 18S ribosomal DNA identified the isolate as genotype T4. The patient was treated with chlorhexidine 0.02% and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02% drops for 5 months until the infection resolved. Lately, rare cases of polymicrobial keratitis associated with Acanthamoeba and Candida albicans have been reported. Cases of co-infection are more difficult to treat, since the specific treatment depends on precise identification of the agents involved.
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Leal DAG, Souza DSM, Caumo KS, Fongaro G, Panatieri LF, Durigan M, Rott MB, Barardi CRM, Franco RMB. Genotypic characterization and assessment of infectivity of human waterborne pathogens recovered from oysters and estuarine waters in Brazil. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 137:273-280. [PMID: 29550730 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Waterborne, food-borne and sewage-borne pathogens are a major global concern, with the annual recurrence, most notably during the summer, of outbreaks of gastroenteritis of unconfirmed etiology associated with recreational activities in marine environments. The consumption of contaminated water-based foodstuffs is also related to outbreaks of human illness. The main goals of the present study were: i) to identify the genetic assemblages of Giardia duodenalis cysts in growing and depurated oysters destined for human consumption on the southern coast of São Paulo, Brazil; ii) to verify the main circulating G. duodenalis assemblages and their subtypes in different brackish waters used for the production of mollusks and for recreational purposes; iii) to track the contamination of growing and depurated oysters by the human adenovirus and identify the infectivity of adenoviral particles recovered from oysters before and after depuration; iv) to evaluate the occurrence and genotype of the free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba in brackish water and oysters from all the sites described above. Four sampling sites in the Cananeia estuary were selected to search for pathogenic and amphizoic protozoa (Giardia and Acanthamoeba respectively): site 1: oyster growth, site 2: catchment water (before UV depuration procedure), site 3: filter backwash (filtration stage of water treatment) and site 4: oyster depuration tank. Oysters at sites 1 and 4 were evaluated for the presence of adenovirus (HAdV). Analysis consisted of conventional microbiological as well as molecular methods. Giardia duodenalis were detected in all the water sites analyzed and the molecular analysis revealed that sub-assemblage AII was the most frequently distributed throughout the estuarine environment, although one sample was identified as belonging to the assemblage C. Acanthamoeba were also isolated from different locations of the estuarine area, and were detected at all the analyzed sites. The majority of isolates belonged to the T3 genotype, while the T4 genotype was identified once. The sequencing reaction of Giardia duodenalis revealed the contamination of three batches of depurated oysters by the sub-assemblage AII. With respect to viruses, seven batches of oysters (four growing and three depurated) were found to be harboring infectious HAdV particles when submitted to plaque assay. Overall, the results of the sequencing reactions combined with the plaque assay revealed that the isolates of Giardia duodenalis and the infectious HAdV particles identified in oyster tissues have the potential to infect humans and pose a threat if consumed raw or lightly cooked. This is the first report on the sub-assemblage AII identified in oysters which are submitted to a cleaning and disinfection procedure prior to human consumption in Brazil. Acanthamoeba specific genotypes were also identified for the first time in a recreational estuarine area in Brazil, contributing to knowledge of their molecular and environmental epidemiology, which is considered scarce even in marine and estuarine areas of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Averaldo Guiguet Leal
- Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Patologia Básica, Laboratório de Parasitologia Ambiental, Curitiba, Paraná PO Box: 19031, CEP: 81531-980, Brazil.
| | - Doris Sobral Marques Souza
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Virologia Aplicada, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina CEP: 88040-970, Brazil
| | - Karin Silva Caumo
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Estudos de Protozoários Emergentes, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina CEP: 88040-970, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP: 900035-190, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Fongaro
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Virologia Aplicada, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina CEP: 88040-970, Brazil
| | - Lua Ferreira Panatieri
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP: 900035-190, Brazil
| | | | - Marilise Brittes Rott
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul CEP: 900035-190, Brazil
| | - Célia Regina Monte Barardi
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Virologia Aplicada, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina CEP: 88040-970, Brazil
| | - Regina Maura Bueno Franco
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Laboratório de Protozoologia, Campinas, São Paulo CEP 13083-970, Brazil
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Failure of molecular diagnostics of a keratitis-inducing Acanthamoeba strain. Exp Parasitol 2017; 183:236-239. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Bertelli C, Mueller L, Thomas V, Pillonel T, Jacquier N, Greub G. Cedratvirus lausannensis - digging into Pithoviridae diversity. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:4022-4034. [PMID: 28618143 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amoeba-infecting viruses have raised scientists' interest due to their novel particle morphologies, their large genome size and their genomic content challenging previously established dogma. We report here the discovery and the characterization of Cedratvirus lausannensis, a novel member of the Megavirales, with a 0.75-1 µm long amphora-shaped particle closed by two striped plugs. Among numerous host cell types tested, the virus replicates only in Acanthamoeba castellanii leading to host cell lysis within 24 h. C. lausannensis was resistant to ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and heating treatments. Like 30 000-year-old Pithovirus sibericum, C. lausannensis enters by phagocytosis, releases its genetic content by fusion of the internal membrane with the inclusion membrane and replicates in intracytoplasmic viral factories. The genome encodes 643 proteins that confirmed the grouping of C. lausannensis with Cedratvirus A11 as phylogenetically distant members of the family Pithoviridae. The 575,161 bp AT-rich genome is essentially devoid of the numerous repeats harbored by Pithovirus, suggesting that these non-coding repetitions might be due to a selfish element rather than particular characteristics of the Pithoviridae family. The discovery of C. lausannensis confirms the contemporary worldwide distribution of Pithoviridae members and the characterization of its genome paves the way to better understand their evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Bertelli
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.,SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Linda Mueller
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Thomas
- Technology Research Institute Bioaster, 28, Rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Trestan Pillonel
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Jacquier
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Free-Living Amoebae as Hosts for and Vectors of Intracellular Microorganisms with Public Health Significance. Viruses 2017; 9:v9040065. [PMID: 28368313 PMCID: PMC5408671 DOI: 10.3390/v9040065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are parasites within both humans and animals causing a wide range of symptoms and act as hosts of, and vehicles for phylogenetically diverse microorganisms, called endocytobionts. The interaction of the FLA with sympatric microorganisms leads to an exceptional diversity within FLA. Some of these bacteria, viruses, and even eukaryotes, can live and replicate intracellularly within the FLA. This relationship provides protection to the microorganisms from external interventions and a dispersal mechanism across various habitats. Among those intracellularly-replicating or -residing organisms there are obligate and facultative pathogenic microorganisms affecting the health of humans or animals and are therefore of interest to Public Health Authorities. Mimiviruses, Pandoraviruses, and Pithoviruses are examples for interesting viral endocytobionts within FLA. Future research is expected to reveal further endocytobionts within free-living amoebae and other protozoa through co-cultivation studies, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses.
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Claverie JM, Abergel C. Giant viruses: The difficult breaking of multiple epistemological barriers. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 2016; 59:89-99. [PMID: 26972873 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsc.2016.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of the first "giant virus", Mimivirus, in 2003 could solely have been that of an exceptional freak, a blind alley of evolution as occasionally encountered in biology, albeit without conceptual significance. On the contrary, once broken this epistemological barrier, additional unrelated families of giant viruses such as the Pandoraviruses, the Pithoviruses and most recently Mollivirus, were quickly unraveled, suggesting that an entire chapter of microbiology had been ignored since Pasteur and Ivanovski. In this article, we examine to what extent the giant viruses challenge previous definitions of viruses, the diversity of forms they could take, and how they might have evolved from extinct ancestral cellular lineages. Inspired by the epistemology of Gaston Bachelard, we will also suggest the reasons for which giant viruses laid hidden in plain sight for more than a century. Finally, we propose a new definition for "viruses" that paradoxically emphasize the fact that they do not encode a single universally shared macromolecule or biochemical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Claverie
- Structural and Genomic Information Laboratory, UMR 7256 (IMM FR 3479) CNRS Aix-Marseille Université, Luminy Campus, Marseille, France; Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, La Timone, 13005, Marseille, France.
| | - Chantal Abergel
- Structural and Genomic Information Laboratory, UMR 7256 (IMM FR 3479) CNRS Aix-Marseille Université, Luminy Campus, Marseille, France
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Verani M, Di Giuseppe G, Tammaro C, Carducci A. Investigating the role of Acanthamoeba polyphaga in protecting Human Adenovirus from water disinfection treatment. Eur J Protistol 2016; 54:11-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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A strange endocytobiont revealed as largest virus. Curr Opin Microbiol 2016; 31:58-62. [PMID: 27016694 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A lot of endocytobionts (or endosymbionts) have been discovered within free-living amoebae in recent years. In this article the results of a long lasting effort to derive valuable data about an extraordinary spore-like infectious microorganism (endocytobiont, endosymbiont) within host amoebae (Acanthamoeba sp.) recently isolated from the contact lens case of a patient with keratitis, are presented. It took some time until this endocytobiont could be attributed to the genus Pandoravirus following a publication of two other pandoraviruses isolated from aquatic environments. Consequently the molecular biological investigation led to the taxonomic affiliation of the endocytobiont with the genus Pandoravirus and to the description of a new Pandoravirus species, Pandoravirus inopinatum after whole-genome sequencing in 2015. The fact that it was isolated from a contact lens container of a keratitis patient gives another dimension to these findings showing paradigmatically, how readily these 'new' giant viruses get to humans.
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12
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Abergel C, Legendre M, Claverie JM. The rapidly expanding universe of giant viruses: Mimivirus, Pandoravirus, Pithovirus and Mollivirus. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2015; 39:779-96. [PMID: 26391910 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuv037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
More than a century ago, the term 'virus' was introduced to describe infectious agents that are invisible by light microscopy and capable of passing through sterilizing filters. In addition to their extremely small size, most viruses have minimal genomes and gene contents, and rely almost entirely on host cell-encoded functions to multiply. Unexpectedly, four different families of eukaryotic 'giant viruses' have been discovered over the past 10 years with genome sizes, gene contents and particle dimensions overlapping with that of cellular microbes. Their ongoing analyses are challenging accepted ideas about the diversity, evolution and origin of DNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Abergel
- Structural and Genomic Information Laboratory, UMR 7256 (IMM FR 3479) Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Aix-Marseille University, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Matthieu Legendre
- Structural and Genomic Information Laboratory, UMR 7256 (IMM FR 3479) Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Aix-Marseille University, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Michel Claverie
- Structural and Genomic Information Laboratory, UMR 7256 (IMM FR 3479) Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Aix-Marseille University, 13288 Marseille, France Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, La Timone, 13005 Marseille, France
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13
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Scheid P. Viruses in close associations with free-living amoebae. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3959-67. [PMID: 26374538 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4731-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
As both groups of organisms, free-living amoebae (FLA) and viruses, can be found in aquatic environments side by side, it appears obvious that there are multiple interactions with respect to host-endocytobiont relationships. Several relationships between viruses and protozoan hosts are described and it was the discovery of the so called "giant viruses," associated with amoebae, which gave another dimension to these interactions. Mimiviruses, Pandoraviruses and Pithoviruses are examples for interesting viral endocytobionts within FLA. In the Mimivirus viral factories, viral DNA undergoes replication and transcription, and the DNA is prepared to be packed in procapsids. Theses Mimivirus factories can be considered as efficient "production lines" where, at any given moment, all stages of viral generation including membrane biogenesis, capsid assembly and genome encapsidation, are occurring concomitantly. There are some hints that similar replication factories are involved as well during the Pandoravirus development. Some scientists favour the assumption that the giant viruses have received many of their genes from their hosts or from sympatric occurring endocytobionts via lateral gene transfer. This hypothesis would mean that this type of transfer has been an important process in the evolution of genomes in the context of the intracellular parasitic or endocytobiotic lifestyle. In turn, that would migitate against hypothesizing development of a new branch in the tree of life. Based on the described scenarios to explain the presence of genes related to translation, it is also possible that earlier ancestors of today's DNA viruses were involved in the origin of eukaryotes. That possibly could in turn support the idea that cellular organisms could have evolved from viruses with growing autarkic properties. In future we expect the discovery of further (giant) viruses within free-living amoebae and other protozoa through genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Scheid
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany.
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Sharma V, Colson P, Chabrol O, Scheid P, Pontarotti P, Raoult D. Welcome to pandoraviruses at the 'Fourth TRUC' club. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:423. [PMID: 26042093 PMCID: PMC4435241 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses, or representatives of the proposed order Megavirales, belong to families of giant viruses that infect a broad range of eukaryotic hosts. Megaviruses have been previously described to comprise a fourth monophylogenetic TRUC (things resisting uncompleted classification) together with cellular domains in the universal tree of life. Recently described pandoraviruses have large (1.9–2.5 MB) and highly divergent genomes. In the present study, we updated the classification of pandoraviruses and other reported giant viruses. Phylogenetic trees were constructed based on six informational genes. Hierarchical clustering was performed based on a set of informational genes from Megavirales members and cellular organisms. Homologous sequences were selected from cellular organisms using TimeTree software, comprising comprehensive, and representative sets of members from Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Phylogenetic analyses based on three conserved core genes clustered pandoraviruses with phycodnaviruses, exhibiting their close relatedness. Additionally, hierarchical clustering analyses based on informational genes grouped pandoraviruses with Megavirales members as a super group distinct from cellular organisms. Thus, the analyses based on core conserved genes revealed that pandoraviruses are new genuine members of the ‘Fourth TRUC’ club, encompassing distinct life forms compared with cellular organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Sharma
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes UM63 CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France ; I2M UMR 7373, CNRS équipe Evolution Biologique et Modélisation, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes UM63 CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France ; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Chabrol
- I2M UMR 7373, CNRS équipe Evolution Biologique et Modélisation, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Scheid
- Medical Parasitology Laboratory, Laboratory Department I (Medicine), Diagnostics, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Germany
| | - Pierre Pontarotti
- I2M UMR 7373, CNRS équipe Evolution Biologique et Modélisation, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes UM63 CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France ; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille Marseille, France
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15
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Scheid PL, Schaub GA, Balczun C. Revision of the letter to the editor by Abergel and Claverie. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:1629-30. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4256-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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16
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From extraordinary endocytobionts to Pandoraviruses. Comment on Scheid et al.: Some secrets are revealed: Parasitic keratitis amoebae as vectors of the scarcely described pandoraviruses to humans. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:1625-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4079-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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17
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Scheid P. Relevance of free-living amoebae as hosts for phylogenetically diverse microorganisms. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2407-14. [PMID: 24828345 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3932-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In addition to their role as parasites, free-living amoebae (FLA) can act as hosts of and vehicles for phylogentically diverse microorganisms while some of them replicate intracellularly. These microorganisms are adapted to the intracellular conditions in the amoeba, find suitable conditions and protection from negative environmental influences and take advantage of the dispersal in the environment by their amoebic host. It is expedient to call these organisms "endocytobionts", at least during the initial steps of any studies. By doing so, it is not necessary to go into potential characteristics of these relationships such as parasitism, phoresy, zoochory, or mutualism at an early stage of study. Among those organisms resisting the lysis within their amoebic host, there are obligate and facultative pathogenic microorganisms affecting the health of humans or animals. FLA-endocytobiont relationships are not only important for the tenacity of the involved microorganisms. Especially if FLA are present in biofilms and there are close ties with many other microorganisms, the odds are for some of these microorganisms to develop human pathogenic properties. Here, the amoebic passage seems to be a prerequisite for the development of virulence factors and it may have an impact on evolutionary processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Scheid
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany,
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18
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Grün AL, Stemplewitz B, Scheid P. First report of an Acanthamoeba genotype T13 isolate as etiological agent of a keratitis in humans. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2395-400. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3918-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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19
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Abergel C, Claverie JM. [Pithovirus sibericum: awakening of a giant virus of more than 30,000 years]. Med Sci (Paris) 2014; 30:329-31. [PMID: 24685225 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20143003022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Abergel
- Information génomique et structurale IGS (UMR7256), CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de microbiologie de la Méditerranée-IMM-FR 3479, parc scientifique de Luminy, 163, avenue de Luminy, case 934, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Jean-Michel Claverie
- Information génomique et structurale IGS (UMR7256), CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de microbiologie de la Méditerranée-IMM-FR 3479, parc scientifique de Luminy, 163, avenue de Luminy, case 934, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
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20
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Cytotoxic effect of organic solvents and surfactant agents on Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1949-53. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3845-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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21
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Isolation and characterization of Acanthamoeba strains from soil samples in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1383-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3778-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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22
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Philippe N, Legendre M, Doutre G, Couté Y, Poirot O, Lescot M, Arslan D, Seltzer V, Bertaux L, Bruley C, Garin J, Claverie JM, Abergel C. Pandoraviruses: amoeba viruses with genomes up to 2.5 Mb reaching that of parasitic eukaryotes. Science 2013; 341:281-6. [PMID: 23869018 DOI: 10.1126/science.1239181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 379] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ten years ago, the discovery of Mimivirus, a virus infecting Acanthamoeba, initiated a reappraisal of the upper limits of the viral world, both in terms of particle size (>0.7 micrometers) and genome complexity (>1000 genes), dimensions typical of parasitic bacteria. The diversity of these giant viruses (the Megaviridae) was assessed by sampling a variety of aquatic environments and their associated sediments worldwide. We report the isolation of two giant viruses, one off the coast of central Chile, the other from a freshwater pond near Melbourne (Australia), without morphological or genomic resemblance to any previously defined virus families. Their micrometer-sized ovoid particles contain DNA genomes of at least 2.5 and 1.9 megabases, respectively. These viruses are the first members of the proposed "Pandoravirus" genus, a term reflecting their lack of similarity with previously described microorganisms and the surprises expected from their future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Philippe
- Structural and Genomic Information Laboratory, UMR 7256 CNRS Aix-Marseille Université, 163 Avenue de Luminy, Case 934, 13288 Marseille cedex 9, France
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23
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Scheid P, Schwarzenberger R. Acanthamoeba spp. as vehicle and reservoir of adenoviruses. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:479-85. [PMID: 22290448 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2828-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Adenoviruses are important pathogens which are responsible for human enteritic, respiratory and eye infections. These viruses have been found to be prevalent in several natural and artificial water reservoirs worldwide. Free-living amoebae (FLA) have been recovered from similar water reservoirs, and it has been shown that FLA may act as reservoirs or vehicles of various microorganisms living in the same environment. To examine the ability of FLA to harbour adenoviruses, an in vitro study was conducted. Several Acanthamoeba strains were ‘co-cultivated’ with adenoviruses (adenoviruses 11 and 41), grown on A549 cells, using a proven test protocol. After phagocytosis and ingestion, the adenoviruses could be found within the cytoplasm of the Acanthamoeba trophozoites. The intake of the viruses into the cytoplasm of the trophozoites was demonstrated in an Acanthamoeba castellanii strain with the help of fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. An adenovirus DFA kit, which utilizes a direct immunofluorescent antibody technique for identifying adenovirus in infected tissue cultures, was used. In our study, it was demonstrated that adenoviruses were incorporated into the host amoebae (Acanthamoeba sp. Grp. II, three strains). So far, there were only a few publications concerning the relationship of free-living amoebae and viruses; only one of these described the detection of adenoviruses within acanthamoebae with molecular biological methods. We conducted this descriptive study to further examine the association between viable adenoviruses and FLA. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate directly the adenoviruses within FLA as vectors and vehicles. Therefore, we concluded that free-living amoebae appear able to act as carriers or vectors of the adenoviruses and thus may play a certain role in the dispersal of adenoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Scheid
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Andernacherstr. 100, 56070 Koblenz, Germany.
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Scheid PL, Schwarzenberger R. Free-living amoebae as vectors of cryptosporidia. Parasitol Res 2011; 109:499-504. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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