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Ibañez-Escribano A, Gomez-Muñoz MT, Mateo M, Fonseca-Berzal C, Gomez-Lucia E, Perez RG, Alunda JM, Carrion J. Microbial Matryoshka: Addressing the Relationship between Pathogenic Flagellated Protozoans and Their RNA Viral Endosymbionts (Family Totiviridae). Vet Sci 2024; 11:321. [PMID: 39058005 PMCID: PMC11281412 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11070321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Three genera of viruses of the family Totiviridae establish endosymbiotic associations with flagellated protozoa responsible for parasitic diseases of great impact in the context of One Health. Giardiavirus, Trichomonasvirus, and Leishmaniavirus infect the protozoa Giardia sp., Trichomonas vaginalis, and Leishmania sp., respectively. In the present work, we review the characteristics of the endosymbiotic relationships established, the advantages, and the consequences caused in mammalian hosts. Among the common characteristics of these double-stranded RNA viruses are that they do not integrate into the host genome, do not follow a lytic cycle, and do not cause cytopathic effects. However, in cases of endosymbiosis between Leishmaniavirus and Leishmania species from the Americas, and between Trichomonasvirus and Trichomonas vaginalis, it seems that it can alter their virulence (degree of pathogenicity). In a mammalian host, due to TLR3 activation of immune cells upon the recognition of viral RNA, uncontrolled inflammatory signaling responses are triggered, increasing pathological damage and the risk of failure of conventional standard treatment. Endosymbiosis with Giardiavirus can cause the loss of intestinal adherence of the protozoan, resulting in a benign disease. The current knowledge about viruses infecting flagellated protozoans is still fragmentary, and more research is required to unravel the intricacies of this three-way relationship. We need to develop early and effective diagnostic methods for further development in the field of translational medicine. Taking advantage of promising biotechnological advances, the aim is to develop ad hoc therapeutic strategies that focus not only on the disease-causing protozoan but also on the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ibañez-Escribano
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.-E.); (M.M.); (C.F.-B.)
| | - Maria Teresa Gomez-Muñoz
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.-E.); (M.M.); (C.F.-B.)
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Fonseca-Berzal
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.-E.); (M.M.); (C.F.-B.)
| | - Esperanza Gomez-Lucia
- Animal Viruses Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Raquel Garcia Perez
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Jose M. Alunda
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrion
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
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Couto RDS, Ramos EDSF, Abreu WU, Rodrigues LRR, Marinho LF, Morais VDS, Villanova F, Pandey RP, Deng X, Delwart E, da Costa AC, Leal E. Metagenomic of Liver Tissue Identified at Least Two Genera of Totivirus-like Viruses in Molossus molossus Bats. Microorganisms 2024; 12:206. [PMID: 38276191 PMCID: PMC10819564 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The Totiviridae family of viruses has a unique genome consisting of double-stranded RNA with two open reading frames that encode the capsid protein (Cap) and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRpol). Most virions in this family are isometric in shape, approximately 40 nm in diameter, and lack an envelope. There are five genera within this family, including Totivirus, Victorivirus, Giardiavirus, Leishmaniavirus, and Trichomonasvirus. While Totivirus and Victorivirus primarily infect fungi, Giardiavirus, Leishmaniavirus, and Trichomonasvirus infect diverse hosts, including protists, insects, and vertebrates. Recently, new totivirus-like species have been discovered in fish and plant hosts, and through metagenomic analysis, a novel totivirus-like virus (named Tianjin totivirus) has been isolated from bat guano. Interestingly, Tianjin totivirus causes cytopathic effects in insect cells but cannot grow in mammalian cells, suggesting that it infects insects consumed by insectivorous bats. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing and identified totivirus-like viruses in liver tissue from Molossus molossus bats in the Amazon region of Brazil. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region revealed that the viruses identified in Molossus bats belong to two distinct phylogenetic clades, possibly comprising different genera within the Totiviridae family. Notably, the mean similarity between the Tianjin totivirus and the totiviruses identified in Molossus bats is less than 18%. These findings suggest that the diversity of totiviruses in bats is more extensive than previously recognized and highlight the potential for bats to serve as reservoirs for novel toti-like viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roseane da Silva Couto
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Endrya do Socorro Foro Ramos
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Wandercleyson Uchôa Abreu
- Programa de Pos-Graduação REDE Bionorte, Polo Pará, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, Brazil;
| | - Luis Reginaldo Ribeiro Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Genetics & Biodiversity, Institute of Educational Sciences, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, Brazil;
| | | | - Vanessa dos Santos Morais
- Laboratory of Virology (LIM 52), Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil; (V.d.S.M.); (A.C.d.C.)
| | - Fabiola Villanova
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Ramendra Pati Pandey
- School of Health Sciences and Technology (SoHST), UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India;
| | - Xutao Deng
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Eric Delwart
- Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Antonio Charlys da Costa
- Laboratory of Virology (LIM 52), Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil; (V.d.S.M.); (A.C.d.C.)
| | - Elcio Leal
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
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Margarita V, Congiargiu A, Diaz N, Fiori PL, Rappelli P. Mycoplasma hominis and Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii in Trichomonas vaginalis: Peaceful Cohabitants or Contentious Roommates? Pathogens 2023; 12:1083. [PMID: 37764891 PMCID: PMC10535475 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogenic protozoan diffused worldwide capable of infecting the urogenital tract in humans, causing trichomoniasis. One of its most intriguing aspects is the ability to establish a close relationship with endosymbiotic microorganisms: the unique association of T. vaginalis with the bacterium Mycoplasma hominis represents, to date, the only example of an endosymbiosis involving two true human pathogens. Since its discovery, several aspects of the symbiosis between T. vaginalis and M. hominis have been characterized, demonstrating that the presence of the intracellular guest strongly influences the pathogenic characteristics of the protozoon, making it more aggressive towards host cells and capable of stimulating a stronger proinflammatory response. The recent description of a further symbiont of the protozoon, the newly discovered non-cultivable mycoplasma Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii, makes the picture even more complex. This review provides an overview of the main aspects of this complex microbial consortium, with particular emphasis on its effect on protozoan pathobiology and on the interplays among the symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Margarita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (N.D.); (P.L.F.)
- Mediterranean Centre for Disease Control (MCDC), 07110 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonella Congiargiu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (N.D.); (P.L.F.)
| | - Nicia Diaz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (N.D.); (P.L.F.)
| | - Pier Luigi Fiori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (N.D.); (P.L.F.)
- Mediterranean Centre for Disease Control (MCDC), 07110 Sassari, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, University Hospital of Sassari (AOU), 07110 Sassari, Italy
| | - Paola Rappelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (N.D.); (P.L.F.)
- Mediterranean Centre for Disease Control (MCDC), 07110 Sassari, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, University Hospital of Sassari (AOU), 07110 Sassari, Italy
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Leal É, Ribeiro ESD'A, Monteiro FJC, Marques JP, Dos Santos Mendes D, Morais VS, Araújo ELL, Pandey RP, Chang CM, Deng X, Delwart E, da Costa AC, Lima K. Aedes aegypti Totivirus identified in mosquitoes in the Brazilian Amazon region. Virus Genes 2023; 59:167-172. [PMID: 36394716 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-022-01955-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The totiviridae family contains viruses with double-stranded RNA genomes of 4.6-7.0 kpb, which encode a capsid protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and they are approximately 40 nm in diameter with icosahedral symmetry. Totiviruses were first isolated from mosquitoes collected in Shaanxi Province (China). Here, we report a new Aedes aegypti Totivirus (AaTV) identified in mosquitoes from the Amazon rainforest. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected from a forest reserve belonging to the Amazon forest in the city of Macapá, Amapá state, Northern Brazil. A viral sequence with a 5748 nucleotide length that was nearly identical to Aedes aegypti Totivirus (AaTV), here named Aedes aegypti Totivirus BR59AP, was detected. A detailed molecular analysis was performed and shows that AaTV-BR59AP is highly related to the AaTV strain from the Caribbean region. We emphasize the importance of the characterization of new viruses in mosquitoes to deepen our understanding of viral diversity in insects and their potential role in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élcio Leal
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Pará, Belem, Pará, 66075-000, Brazil
| | | | - Fred Julio Costa Monteiro
- Public Health Laboratory of Amapa-LACEN/AP, Health Surveillance Superintendence of Amapa, Macapa, 68905-230, Brazil
| | - Julia Pantoja Marques
- Public Health Laboratory of Amapa-LACEN/AP, Health Surveillance Superintendence of Amapa, Macapa, 68905-230, Brazil
| | - Diuliana Dos Santos Mendes
- Public Health Laboratory of Amapa-LACEN/AP, Health Surveillance Superintendence of Amapa, Macapa, 68905-230, Brazil
| | - Vanessa S Morais
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Emerson Luiz Lima Araújo
- General Coordination of Public Health Laboratories of the Strategic Articulation, Department of the Health Surveillance, Secretariat of the Ministry of Health (CGLAB/DAEVS/SVS-MS), Brasília, 70719-040, Brazil
| | - Ramendra Pati Pandey
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, Haryana, 131029, India
| | - Chung-Ming Chang
- Master & Ph.D. Program in Biotechnology Industry, Chang Gung University, No.259, Wenhua 1St Rd., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Xutao Deng
- Vitalant Research Institute, 270 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94118-4417, USA.,Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Eric Delwart
- Vitalant Research Institute, 270 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94118-4417, USA.,Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Antonio Charlys da Costa
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Kledoaldo Lima
- Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil. .,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany. .,Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, PE, 51150-000, Brazil.
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Manny AR, Hetzel CA, Mizani A, Nibert ML. Discovery of a Novel Species of Trichomonasvirus in the Human Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis Using Transcriptome Mining. Viruses 2022; 14:548. [PMID: 35336955 PMCID: PMC8953718 DOI: 10.3390/v14030548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral cause of sexually transmitted infections globally. Infection by this protozoan parasite results in the clinical syndrome trichomoniasis, which manifests as an inflammatory disease with acute and chronic consequences. Half or more isolates of this parasite are themselves infected with one or more dsRNA viruses that can exacerbate the inflammatory syndrome. At least four distinct viruses have been identified in T. vaginalis to date, constituting species Trichomonas vaginalis virus 1 through Trichomonas vaginalis virus 4 in genus Trichomonasvirus. Despite the global prevalence of these viruses, few complete coding sequences have been reported. We conducted viral sequence mining in publicly available transcriptomes across 60 RNA-Seq accessions representing at least 13 distinct T. vaginalis isolates. The results led to sequence assemblies for 27 novel trichomonasvirus strains across all four recognized species. Using a strategy of de novo sequence assembly followed by taxonomic classification, we additionally discovered six strains of a newly identified fifth species, for which we propose the name Trichomonas vaginalis virus 5, also in genus Trichomonasvirus. These additional strains exhibit high sequence identity to each other, but low sequence identity to strains of the other four species. Phylogenetic analyses corroborate the species-level designations. These results substantially increase the number of trichomonasvirus genome sequences and demonstrate the utility of mining publicly available transcriptomes for virus discovery in a critical human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin R. Manny
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (A.R.M.); (C.A.H.); (A.M.)
- Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Carrie A. Hetzel
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (A.R.M.); (C.A.H.); (A.M.)
- Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Arshan Mizani
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (A.R.M.); (C.A.H.); (A.M.)
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Max L. Nibert
- Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (A.R.M.); (C.A.H.); (A.M.)
- Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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Barrow P, Dujardin JC, Fasel N, Greenwood AD, Osterrieder K, Lomonossoff G, Fiori PL, Atterbury R, Rossi M, Lalle M. Viruses of protozoan parasites and viral therapy: Is the time now right? Virol J 2020; 17:142. [PMID: 32993724 PMCID: PMC7522927 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01410-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by protozoan parasites burden the world with huge costs in terms of human and animal health. Most parasitic diseases caused by protozoans are neglected, particularly those associated with poverty and tropical countries, but the paucity of drug treatments and vaccines combined with increasing problems of drug resistance are becoming major concerns for their control and eradication. In this climate, the discovery/repurposing of new drugs and increasing effort in vaccine development should be supplemented with an exploration of new alternative/synergic treatment strategies. Viruses, either native or engineered, have been employed successfully as highly effective and selective therapeutic approaches to treat cancer (oncolytic viruses) and antibiotic-resistant bacterial diseases (phage therapy). Increasing evidence is accumulating that many protozoan, but also helminth, parasites harbour a range of different classes of viruses that are mostly absent from humans. Although some of these viruses appear to have no effect on their parasite hosts, others either have a clear direct negative impact on the parasite or may, in fact, contribute to the virulence of parasites for humans. This review will focus mainly on the viruses identified in protozoan parasites that are of medical importance. Inspired and informed by the experience gained from the application of oncolytic virus- and phage-therapy, rationally-driven strategies to employ these viruses successfully against parasitic diseases will be presented and discussed in the light of the current knowledge of the virus biology and the complex interplay between the viruses, the parasite hosts and the human host. We also highlight knowledge gaps that should be addressed to advance the potential of virotherapy against parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Barrow
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Jean Claude Dujardin
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat, 155, 2000, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Fasel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Ch. des Boveresses 155, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Alex D Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Virologie, Robert Von Ostertag-Haus - Zentrum Fuer Infektionsmedizin, Robert von Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Osterrieder
- Institut für Virologie, Robert Von Ostertag-Haus - Zentrum Fuer Infektionsmedizin, Robert von Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, 31 To Yuen Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - George Lomonossoff
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Pier Luigi Fiori
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomedice, Universita Degli Studi Di Sassari, Sardinia, Italy
| | - Robert Atterbury
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Matteo Rossi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Ch. des Boveresses 155, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Marco Lalle
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00186, Rome, Italy.
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Bokharaei-Salim F, Esteghamati A, Khanaliha K, Esghaei M, Donyavi T, Salemi B. The First Detection of Co-Infection of Double-Stranded RNA Virus 1, 2 and 3 in Iranian Isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2020; 15:357-363. [PMID: 33082800 PMCID: PMC7548462 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v15i3.4200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background The Totiviridae family includes a number of double-stranded RNA viruses that can infect Trichomonas vaginalis. Some T. vaginalis isolates are infected with one or more double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses. In this study, different strains of double-stranded RNA virus in Iranian isolates of T. vaginalis were evaluated for the first time in Iran. Methods Vaginal swabs were collected from 1550 participants who were referred to hospitals associated with Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran from June to November 2018. T. vaginalis isolates were cultured in Diamond's modified medium. After the extraction of nucleic acids using a DNA/RNA extraction kit, RT-PCR was performed and PCR products were purified and sequenced. Results In general 9 (0.6%) isolates were confirmed as T. vaginalis among 1550 collected vaginal samples. Among 9 isolates of T. vaginalis, three of them were infected with TVV1. One isolate has multiple infections with T. vaginalis virus (TVV1, TVV2 and TVV3) as coinfection. The nucleotide BLAST indicated that the T. vaginalis virus 1(TVV1) isolates were most closely related to TVV1-OC5, TVV1-UR1-1.The T. vaginalis virus 2 (TVV2) sequence had also a similarity with TVV2-UR1-1, TVV2-UR1 and TVV2-OC3. The sequence of T. vaginalis virus 3(TVV3) had similarity with TVV3-OC5, TVV3-UR1-1 and TVV3-UR1. Conclusion Three dsRNA viruses T. vaginalis virus (TVV1, TVV2 and TVV3) were detected using RT-PCR in T. vaginalis Iranian isolates. The coinfection of TVV1, TVV2 and TVV3 in one isolate of T.vaginalis was observed for the first time in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Bokharaei-Salim
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdoulreza Esteghamati
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Khanaliha
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Esghaei
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Donyavi
- Vice Chancellor for Healthcare, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Borna Salemi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Margarita V, Marongiu A, Diaz N, Dessì D, Fiori PL, Rappelli P. Prevalence of double-stranded RNA virus in Trichomonas vaginalis isolated in Italy and association with the symbiont Mycoplasma hominis. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3565-3570. [PMID: 31701295 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06469-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The flagellated protozoon Trichomonas vaginalis, responsible for trichomoniasis, can establish a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Mycoplasma hominis and can harbor double-stranded RNA Trichomonasvirus (TVV). In this study, we investigated by real-time PCR the prevalence of the four TVVs and of M. hominis among 48 T. vaginalis strains isolated in Italy, and we evaluated a possible association with metronidazole resistance. Fifty percent of the analyzed trichomonad strains tested positive for at least one TVV T. vaginalis, with TVV2 being the most prevalent, followed by TVV1 and TVV3. Two T. vaginalis strains were infected by TVV4, detected in Europe for the first time. Interestingly, we found more than one TVV species in 75% of positive trichomonad strains. M. hominis was present in 81.25% of T. vaginalis isolates tested, and no statistically significant association was observed with the infection by any TVV. Metronidazole sensitivity of T. vaginalis isolates was evaluated in vitro, and no correlation was observed between minimal lethal concentration and the presence of TVVs. This is the first report on TVV infection of T. vaginalis in Italy. Even if no association of TVV positive isolates with the presence of the symbiont M. hominis or with metronidazole resistance was observed, further studies are needed to shed light on the effective role of infecting microorganisms on the pathophysiology of T. vaginalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Margarita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marongiu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Nicia Diaz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Daniele Dessì
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control (MCDC), Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Fiori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control (MCDC), Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Paola Rappelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control (MCDC), Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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9
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Graves KJ, Ghosh AP, Kissinger PJ, Muzny CA. Trichomonas vaginalis virus: a review of the literature. Int J STD AIDS 2019; 30:496-504. [PMID: 30626281 DOI: 10.1177/0956462418809767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a parasitic protozoan responsible for the sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis. Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV) is a nonsegmented, 4.5-5 kbp, double-stranded RNA virus, from the Totiviridae family, which inhabits TV. A capsid protein consisting of 120 subunits is covered in channels aiding in RNA release. TVV is closely associated with the Golgi complex and is transmitted vertically. TVV has four subspecies, TVV1, TVV2, TVV3, and TVV4. The clinical significance of TVV and its effect on the pathogenicity of TV is not well known. We performed a systematic review of the literature on TVV to better understand its clinical significance and its role in the pathogenesis of TV.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Graves
- 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - A P Ghosh
- 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - P J Kissinger
- 2 Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - C A Muzny
- 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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10
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Detection and molecular characterization of double-stranded RNA viruses in Philippine Trichomonas vaginalis isolates. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2017; 50:669-676. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Revised: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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11
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Khanaliha K, Masoumi-Asl H, Bokharaei-Salim F, Tabatabaei A, Naghdalipoor M. Double-stranded RNA viral infection of Trichomonas vaginalis (TVV1) in Iranian isolates. Microb Pathog 2017; 109:56-60. [PMID: 28478201 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The Totiviridae family includes a number of viruses that can infect protozoan parasites such as Leishmania and Giardia and fungi like Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Some isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis are also infected with one or more double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses. In this study, the frequency of Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV1) was evaluated in Iranian isolates of T. vaginalis in Tehran, Iran. One thousand five hundred vaginal samples were collected from patients attending obstetrics and gynaecology hospitals associated with Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran from October 2015 to September 2016. Trichomonas vaginalis isolates were cultured in Diamond's modified medium. Nucleic acids were extracted using a DNA/RNA extraction kit and RT-PCR was performed. Among 1500 collected vaginal samples, 8 (0.53%) cases of T. vaginalis infection were found. Half (4/8) of the T. vaginalis positive cases were infected with TVV1. Phylogenetic mapping indicated that the Iranian isolates were most closely related to TVV1-OC5, TVV1-UR1. Iranian isolates of T. vaginalis were infected with TVV1. The frequency of viral infection (TVV1) in T. vaginalis isolates found in this study is higher than previously reported in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Khanaliha
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Iran
| | - Hossein Masoumi-Asl
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Iran.
| | - Farah Bokharaei-Salim
- Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Iran; HIV Laboratory of National Center, Deputy of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Iran
| | - Azardokht Tabatabaei
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Iran
| | - Mehri Naghdalipoor
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Iran
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12
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Trichomonas vaginalis infection in symbiosis with Trichomonasvirus and Mycoplasma. Res Microbiol 2017; 168:882-891. [PMID: 28366838 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan with an extracellular obligatory parasitic lifestyle exclusively adapted to the human urogenital tract and responsible for nearly a quarter billion sexually transmitted infections worldwide each year. This review focuses on symbiotic Trichomonasvirus and mycoplasmas carried by the protozoan, their molecular features and their role in altering the human vaginal microbiome and the immunopathogenicity of the parasite. Improved diagnostics and larger clinical interventional studies are needed to confirm the causative role of protozoan symbionts in the variable clinical presentation of trichomoniasis and its morbid sequelae, including adverse reproductive outcome, susceptibility to viral infections and cancer.
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13
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Molecular characterization of double-stranded RNA virus in Trichomonas vaginalis Egyptian isolates and its association with pathogenicity. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4027-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5174-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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Mao M, Liu HL. Genetic diversity of Trichomonas vaginalis clinical isolates from Henan province in central China. Pathog Glob Health 2015; 109:242-6. [PMID: 26103990 DOI: 10.1179/2047773215y.0000000020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite that infects the human urogenital tract, causing the most common non-viral, sexually transmitted disease worldwide. In this study, genetic variants of T. vaginalis were identified in Henan Province, China. Fragments of the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) were amplified from 32 T. vaginalis isolates obtained from seven regions of Henan Province. Overall, 18 haplotypes were determined from the 18S rRNA sequences. Each sampled population and the total population displayed high haplotype diversity (Hd), accompanied by very low nucleotide diversity (Pi). In these molecular genetic variants, 91.58% genetic variation was derived from intra-regions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed no correlation between phylogeny and geographic distribution. Demographic analysis supported population expansion of T. vaginalis isolates from central China. Our findings showing moderate-to-high genetic variations in the 32 isolates of T. vaginalis provide useful knowledge for monitoring changes in parasite populations for the development of future control strategies.
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15
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Hyman P, Atterbury R, Barrow P. Fleas and smaller fleas: virotherapy for parasite infections. Trends Microbiol 2013; 21:215-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2013.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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16
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Fichorova RN, Lee Y, Yamamoto HS, Takagi Y, Hayes GR, Goodman RP, Chepa-Lotrea X, Buck OR, Murray R, Kula T, Beach DH, Singh BN, Nibert ML. Endobiont viruses sensed by the human host - beyond conventional antiparasitic therapy. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48418. [PMID: 23144878 PMCID: PMC3492353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Wide-spread protozoan parasites carry endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses with uncharted implications to the human host. Among them, Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasite adapted to the human genitourinary tract, infects globally ∼250 million each year rendering them more susceptible to devastating pregnancy complications (especially preterm birth), HIV infection and HPV-related cancer. While first-line antibiotic treatment (metronidazole) commonly kills the protozoan pathogen, it fails to improve reproductive outcome. We show that endosymbiotic Trichomonasvirus, highly prevalent in T. vaginalis clinical isolates, is sensed by the human epithelial cells via Toll-like receptor 3, triggering Interferon Regulating Factor -3, interferon type I and proinflammatory cascades previously implicated in preterm birth and HIV-1 susceptibility. Metronidazole treatment amplified these proinflammatory responses. Thus, a new paradigm targeting the protozoan viruses along with the protozoan host may prevent trichomoniasis-attributable inflammatory sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raina N Fichorova
- Laboratory of Genital Tract Biology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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17
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Hyman P, Abedon ST. Smaller fleas: viruses of microorganisms. SCIENTIFICA 2012; 2012:734023. [PMID: 24278736 PMCID: PMC3820453 DOI: 10.6064/2012/734023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Life forms can be roughly differentiated into those that are microscopic versus those that are not as well as those that are multicellular and those that, instead, are unicellular. Cellular organisms seem generally able to host viruses, and this propensity carries over to those that are both microscopic and less than truly multicellular. These viruses of microorganisms, or VoMs, in fact exist as the world's most abundant somewhat autonomous genetic entities and include the viruses of domain Bacteria (bacteriophages), the viruses of domain Archaea (archaeal viruses), the viruses of protists, the viruses of microscopic fungi such as yeasts (mycoviruses), and even the viruses of other viruses (satellite viruses). In this paper we provide an introduction to the concept of viruses of microorganisms, a.k.a., viruses of microbes. We provide broad discussion particularly of VoM diversity. VoM diversity currently spans, in total, at least three-dozen virus families. This is roughly ten families per category-bacterial, archaeal, fungal, and protist-with some virus families infecting more than one of these microorganism major taxa. Such estimations, however, will vary with further discovery and taxon assignment and also are dependent upon what forms of life one includes among microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Hyman
- Department of Biology, Ashland University, 401 College Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805, USA
| | - Stephen T. Abedon
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, 1680 University Dr., Mansfield, OH 44906, USA
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Species typing of Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis virus by RT-PCR, and association of TVV-2 with high parasite adhesion levels and high pathogenicity in patients. Arch Virol 2012; 157:1789-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-012-1353-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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