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Zhai J, Wang Y, Tang B, Zheng S, He S, Zhao W, Chen H, Lin J, Li F, Bao Y, Lancuo Z, Sharshov K, Liu C, Wang W. Comparative analysis of gut DNA viromes in wild and captive Himalayan vultures. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1120838. [PMID: 37601346 PMCID: PMC10433386 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1120838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Himalayan vultures (Gyps hinalayensis) are widely distributed on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance by feeding on decayed corpses of wild and domestic animals. Large-scale culture and metagenomics studies have broadened our understanding of viral diversity in animals' gastrointestinal tracts. However, despite the importance of gut viral communities in regulating bacterial diversity and performing symbiotic functions, no gut viral study has been conducted on Himalayan vultures. Furthermore, the impact of captivity on the gut virome of these vultures remains unknown. Methods In this study, metagenomic sequencing methods targeting DNA of virus-like particles enriched from feces were used to characterize the gut DNA viromes of wild and captive Himalayan vultures. Results In total, 22,938 unique viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) were identified and assigned to 140 viral genera in 41 viral families. These families included viruses associated with bacteria, animals, plants, insects, and archaea. Phage communities, including Siphoviridae, Microviridae, Myoviridae, Inoviridae, and Herelleviridae, dominated the gut virome of Himalayan vultures. Wild vultures exhibited higher viral richness and diversity compared with those in captivity. The functional capacity of the gut virome was characterized by identifying 93 KEGG pathways, which were significantly enriched in metabolism and genetic information processing. Abundant auxiliary metabolic genes, such as carbohydrate-active enzyme, and antibiotic resistance genes, were also found in the vultures' gut virome. Discussion Our findings reveal the complex and diverse viral community present in the gut virome of Himalayan vultures, which varies between wild, and captive states. The DNA virome dataset establishes a baseline for the vultures' gut virome and will serve as a reference for future virus isolation and cultivation. Understanding the impact of captivity on the gut virome contributes to our knowledge of vultures' response to captivity and aids in optimizing their rehabilitation and implementing protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jundie Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - You Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Boyu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Sisi Zheng
- Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Qinghai Province, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Shunfu He
- Xining Wildlife Park of Qinghai Province, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Wenxin Zhao
- Xining Wildlife Park of Qinghai Province, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Hanxi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Jun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Yuzi Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Zhuoma Lancuo
- College of Finance and Economics, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Kirill Sharshov
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Chuanfa Liu
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
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Lambertini C, Ernetti JR, Missassi AFR, Jorge RF, da Silva Leite D, Lima AP, Toledo LF. Chytrid fungus in amphibians from the lowland Brazilian Amazon. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2022; 152:115-125. [PMID: 36519683 DOI: 10.3354/dao03709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are one of the main threats to biodiversity. The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is associated with several amphibian losses around the globe, and environmental conditions may dictate the success of pathogen spread. The Brazilian Amazon has been considered climatically unsuitable for chytrid fungus, but additional information on Bd dynamics in this ecoregion is still lacking. We sampled 462 amphibians (449 anurans, 4 caudatans and 9 caecilians), representing 57 species from the Brazilian Amazon, and quantified Bd infections using qPCR. We tested whether abiotic variables predicted the risk of Bd infections, and tested for relationships between biotic variables and Bd. Finally, we experimentally tested the effects of Bd strains CLFT 156 and CLFT 102 (from the southern and northern Atlantic Forest, respectively) on Atelopus manauensis. We detected higher Bd prevalence than those previously reported for the Brazilian Amazon, and positive individuals in all 3 orders of amphibians sampled. Both biotic and abiotic predictors were related to prevalence, and no variable explained infection load. Moreover, we detected higher Bd prevalence in forested than open areas, while the host's reproductive biology was not a factor. We detected higher mortality in the experimental group infected with CLFT 156, probably because this strain was isolated from a region characterized by discrepant climatic conditions (latitudinally more distant) when compared with the host's sampling site in Amazon. The lowland Brazilian Amazon is still underexplored and future studies targeting all amphibian orders are essential to better understand Bd infection dynamics in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Lambertini
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros (LaHNAB), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil
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Shan T, Yang S, Wang H, Wang H, Zhang J, Gong G, Xiao Y, Yang J, Wang X, Lu J, Zhao M, Yang Z, Lu X, Dai Z, He Y, Chen X, Zhou R, Yao Y, Kong N, Zeng J, Ullah K, Wang X, Shen Q, Deng X, Zhang J, Delwart E, Tong G, Zhang W. Virome in the cloaca of wild and breeding birds revealed a diversity of significant viruses. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:60. [PMID: 35413940 PMCID: PMC9001828 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01246-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild birds may harbor and transmit viruses that are potentially pathogenic to humans, domestic animals, and other wildlife. RESULTS Using the viral metagenomic approach, we investigated the virome of cloacal swab specimens collected from 3182 birds (the majority of them wild species) consisting of > 87 different species in 10 different orders within the Aves classes. The virus diversity in wild birds was higher than that in breeding birds. We acquired 707 viral genomes from 18 defined families and 4 unclassified virus groups, with 265 virus genomes sharing < 60% protein sequence identities with their best matches in GenBank comprising new virus families, genera, or species. RNA viruses containing the conserved RdRp domain with no phylogenetic affinity to currently defined virus families existed in different bird species. Genomes of the astrovirus, picornavirus, coronavirus, calicivirus, parvovirus, circovirus, retrovirus, and adenovirus families which include known avian pathogens were fully characterized. Putative cross-species transmissions were observed with viruses in wild birds showing > 95% amino acid sequence identity to previously reported viruses in domestic poultry. Genomic recombination was observed for some genomes showing discordant phylogenies based on structural and non-structural regions. Mapping the next-generation sequencing (NGS) data respectively against the 707 genomes revealed that these viruses showed distribution pattern differences among birds with different habitats (breeding or wild), orders, and sampling sites but no significant differences between birds with different behavioral features (migratory and resident). CONCLUSIONS The existence of a highly diverse virome highlights the challenges in elucidating the evolution, etiology, and ecology of viruses in wild birds. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongling Shan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shixing Yang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haoning Wang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Harbin University, Harbin, 150886, Heilongjiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Wildlife diseases and Biosecurity Management of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150886, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, 223002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ju Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ga Gong
- Animal Science College, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi, 860000, Tibet, China
| | - Yuqing Xiao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Wildlife and Protected Area College/Center of Conservation Medicine and Ecological Safety Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Juan Lu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Zhao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zijun Yang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang Lu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziyuan Dai
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yumin He
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxin Yao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ning Kong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jian Zeng
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kalim Ullah
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaochun Wang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Quan Shen
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xutao Deng
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Eric Delwart
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
| | - Guangzhi Tong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonose, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wen Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China.
- International Center for Genomics Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China.
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Ebani VV, Mancianti F. Potential Role of Birds in the Epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii, Coxiella-like Agents and Hepatozoon spp. Pathogens 2022; 11:298. [PMID: 35335622 PMCID: PMC8954922 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds may be involved in the epidemiology of infectious and/or parasitic diseases which affect mammals, including humans. Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is an important zoonosis causing economic losses mainly due to pathologies induced in ruminants. Even though birds are known to be potential reservoirs of C. burnetii, their role in the epidemiological cycle of the pathogen is not completely verified. In recent years, new bacteria identified as Coxiella-like agents, have been detected in birds affected by different pathologies; the potential role of these bacteria as pathogens for mammals is not currently known. Hepatozoon spp. are haemoprotozoa, causing arthropod borne affections within several vertebrate classes. The infection of vertebrate host develops after ingestion of the arthropod final hosts containing oocysts; different tissues and blood cells are then colonized by other parasite stages, such as merozoites and gamonts. In avian hosts, there are several recognized Hepatozoon species; however, their life cycle and pathogenicity have not been fully elucidated. Referring to a carrier role by avian species and their ticks in the epidemiology of canine hepatozoonosis, the only clinically relevant affection caused by this parasite genus, they would act as carriers of infected ticks and, when Hepatozoon americanum is involved, as paratenic hosts, as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge, 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge, 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Christie KF, Poulson RL, Seixas JS, Hernandez SM. Avian Influenza Virus Status and Maternal Antibodies in Nestling White Ibis ( Eudocimus albus). Microorganisms 2021; 9:2468. [PMID: 34946070 PMCID: PMC8707160 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), a nomadic wading bird, has increased its exploitation of urban habitats in South Florida, United States, and has recently established several urban breeding colonies. Certain characteristics of ibis ecology could position them in the natural cycle of the avian influenza virus (AIV). In fact, experimentally infected ibises were shown to be competent hosts for multiple AIV subtypes, and seroconversion to AIV has been documented in adult ibises in natural populations. However, the mechanisms of transmission and the timing of infection are unclear as we have yet to isolate AIV from a free-living ibis. To investigate the age-specific AIV dynamics of ibis, we captured nestlings (n = 115) weekly for 1-4 weeks from urban and natural settings in 2020 and 2021. We collected choanal/cloacal swabs for rRT-PCR and virus isolation, and plasma to screen for maternal AIV antibodies. AIV was not detected in any individual by virus isolation; however, maternal antibodies to AIV were detected in 95% of nestlings, with varying rates of catabolism. These results confirm that nestlings are afforded maternal antibodies from adults at rates reflective of higher adult seroprevalence than previously documented and that nestlings in breeding colonies may have some degree of protection and are unlikely to become infected with AIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca L. Poulson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Julia Silva Seixas
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Sonia M. Hernandez
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
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Cummings KJ, Siler JD, Abou-Madi N, Goodman LB, Mitchell PK, Palena L, Childs-Sanford SE. SALMONELLA ISOLATED FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK WILDLIFE ADMITTED TO A VETERINARY MEDICAL TEACHING HOSPITAL. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:743-748. [PMID: 34424961 PMCID: PMC10957288 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The role of wildlife as a source of zoonotic Salmonella transmission is poorly understood, as are the clinical implications of this pathogen among wildlife species. Wildlife hospitals represent an important location to conduct Salmonella surveillance, given the wide variety of species admitted for medical and surgical care. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of fecal Salmonella shedding among wildlife admitted to a veterinary medical teaching hospital, to identify risk factors for infection, and to fully characterize the isolates. Voided fecal samples (birds and mammals) and cloacal swab samples (reptiles and amphibians) were collected between May 2018 and March 2020. Standard bacteriologic culture methods were used to detect Salmonella, and isolates were characterized via serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing. Samples were collected from 348 wildlife patients representing 74 wildlife species, and the apparent prevalence of fecal Salmonella shedding was 1.4% (5/348; 95% confidence interval, 0.5-3.3%). Four serotypes were identified, and isolates were phenotypically susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested. Two isolates were closely related to human clinical isolates, demonstrating the overlap between wildlife and human pathogens. Fecal Salmonella shedding among hospitalized wildlife appears to be uncommon, and the risk of either nosocomial or zoonotic Salmonella transmission is presumably low. Nevertheless, the occurrence of Salmonella in wildlife, particularly among common species found in a wide array of habitats, poses a potential threat to public health and may result in transmission to more-vulnerable wildlife populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Cummings
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Julie D. Siler
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Noha Abou-Madi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 131 Swanson Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Laura B. Goodman
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Patrick K. Mitchell
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Lauren Palena
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Sara E. Childs-Sanford
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 131 Swanson Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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