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Harvey E, Mifsud JCO, Holmes EC, Mahar JE. Divergent hepaciviruses, delta-like viruses, and a chu-like virus in Australian marsupial carnivores (dasyurids). Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead061. [PMID: 37941997 PMCID: PMC10630069 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Australian marsupials are characterised by unique biology and geographic isolation, little is known about the viruses present in these iconic wildlife species. The Dasyuromorphia are an order of marsupial carnivores found only in Australia that include both the extinct Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) and the highly threatened Tasmanian devil. Several other members of the order are similarly under threat of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, disease, and competition and predation by introduced species such as feral cats. We utilised publicly available RNA-seq data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database to document the viral diversity within four Dasyuromorph species. Accordingly, we identified fifteen novel virus sequences from five DNA virus families (Adenoviridae, Anelloviridae, Gammaherpesvirinae, Papillomaviridae, and Polyomaviridae) and three RNA virus taxa: the order Jingchuvirales, the genus Hepacivirus, and the delta-like virus group. Of particular note was the identification of a marsupial-specific clade of delta-like viruses that may indicate an association of deltaviruses with marsupial species. In addition, we identified a highly divergent hepacivirus in a numbat liver transcriptome that falls outside of the larger mammalian clade. We also detect what may be the first Jingchuvirales virus in a mammalian host-a chu-like virus in Tasmanian devils-thereby expanding the host range beyond invertebrates and ectothermic vertebrates. As many of these Dasyuromorphia species are currently being used in translocation efforts to reseed populations across Australia, understanding their virome is of key importance to prevent the spread of viruses to naive populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Harvey
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jonathon C O Mifsud
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jackie E Mahar
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Tsangaras K, Mayer J, Mirza O, Dayaram A, Higgins DP, Bryant B, Campbell-Ward M, Sangster C, Casteriano A, Höper D, Beer M, Greenwood AD. Evolutionarily Young African Rhinoceros Gammaretroviruses. J Virol 2023; 97:e0193222. [PMID: 37022231 PMCID: PMC10134878 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01932-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequences were generated from DNA and cDNA from four Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) located in the Taronga Western Plain Zoo in Australia. Virome analysis identified reads that were similar to Mus caroli endogenous gammaretrovirus (McERV). Previous analysis of perissodactyl genomes did not recover gammaretroviruses. Our analysis, including the screening of the updated white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) draft genomes identified high-copy orthologous gammaretroviral ERVs. Screening of Asian rhinoceros, extinct rhinoceros, domestic horse, and tapir genomes did not identify related gammaretroviral sequences in these species. The newly identified proviral sequences were designated SimumERV and DicerosERV for the white and black rhinoceros retroviruses, respectively. Two long terminal repeat (LTR) variants (LTR-A and LTR-B) were identified in the black rhinoceros, with different copy numbers associated with each (n = 101 and 373, respectively). Only the LTR-A lineage (n = 467) was found in the white rhinoceros. The African and Asian rhinoceros lineages diverged approximately 16 million years ago. Divergence age estimation of the identified proviruses suggests that the exogenous retroviral ancestor of the African rhinoceros ERVs colonized their genomes within the last 8 million years, a result consistent with the absence of these gammaretroviruses from Asian rhinoceros and other perissodactyls. The black rhinoceros germ line was colonized by two lineages of closely related retroviruses and white rhinoceros by one. Phylogenetic analysis indicates a close evolutionary relationship with ERVs of rodents including sympatric African rats, suggesting a possible African origin of the identified rhinoceros gammaretroviruses. IMPORTANCE Rhinoceros genomes were thought to be devoid of gammaretroviruses, as has been determined for other perissodactyls (horses, tapirs, and rhinoceros). While this may be true of most rhinoceros, the African white and black rhinoceros genomes have been colonized by evolutionarily young gammaretroviruses (SimumERV and DicerosERV for the white and black rhinoceros, respectively). These high-copy endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) may have expanded in multiple waves. The closest relative of SimumERV and DicerosERV is found in rodents, including African endemic species. Restriction of the ERVs to African rhinoceros suggests an African origin for the rhinoceros gammaretroviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Tsangaras
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Jens Mayer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Omar Mirza
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Anisha Dayaram
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Damien P. Higgins
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benn Bryant
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Cheryl Sangster
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrea Casteriano
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alex D. Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Lial HC, Navas-Suárez PE, Ewbank AC, Exposto Novoselecki H, Ferreira-Machado E, Dos Santos Cirqueira C, de Azevedo Fernandes NCC, Esperón F, Catão-Dias JL, Sacristán C. Adenovirus surveillance in wild carnivores from Brazil. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 99:105246. [PMID: 35158084 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Landscape transformation favors the spread of new pathogens that can be shared between domestic and wild animals. Certain adenoviruses (e.g., canine adenovirus 1 and 2, family Adenoviridae) can infect domestic and wild carnivores. In domestic canids, these viruses are associated with hepatic and respiratory diseases (among others). Nevertheless, information regarding adenovirus pathogenicity and molecular features in wild carnivores is still limited. Herein we surveyed adenovirus in free-ranging carnivores from Brazil. Total DNA was extracted from and subsequently tested by a nested panPCR in spleen and/or lung of 52 carnivores, representing species of the following families: Canidae (n = 4), Felidae (n = 3), Mustelidae (n = 2) and Procyonidae (n = 2). The obtained sequences were compared to others available at GenBank. Available tissue samples from the positive cases were evaluated histopathologically. One out of 52 (1.9%, CI 95%, 0.0-5.7%) carnivores was positive; a roadkilled ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). The obtained sequence presented a low deduced amino acid (78.1%) similarity with the closest adenovirus, identified in a pinniped from the United States of America. This fact and its detection in a novel host suggest it may be representative of a novel species and denominated ocelot adenovirus 1. None of the gross and microscopic findings of the positive case were associated with adenovirus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of adenovirus in wild felids of South America and the second worldwide. Further studies are necessary to assess the epidemiology and potential pathogenicity of this agent in wild carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Christino Lial
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil.
| | - Pedro Enrique Navas-Suárez
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Ewbank
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Exposto Novoselecki
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Ferreira-Machado
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Júlio de Mesquita Filho São Paulo State University - Botucatu campus, Botucatu 18618-681, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Natália Coelho Couto de Azevedo Fernandes
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Esperón
- Group of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Animal Health Research Centre (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, 28130 Madrid, Spain; Veterinary Department, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luiz Catão-Dias
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Sacristán
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil.
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A Novel Adenovirus Detected in Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus): Epidemiologic Data and Phylogenetic Characterization. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:652-656. [PMID: 33961046 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Adenoviruses are common pathogens infecting a wide range of vertebrates. Few cetacean adenoviruses have been described in the literature, and their pathogenicity is still unclear. Using PCR-based viral and bacterial pathogen surveillance in Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort seas bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) legally harvested 2012-15 during Alaskan aboriginal subsistence hunts, six of 59 bowhead whales (10%) tested positive for adenovirus DNA in the spleen. We found a high degree of sequence divergence from other mastadenoviruses, suggesting these may represent a novel species, tentatively named bowhead whale adenovirus. The sequences detected are distinct from adenoviruses previously identified in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), forming two distinct clades in the cetacean hosts. The clinical impact is unclear, since no histopathologic evidence of adenovirus-associated disease was found. Furthermore, detection of adenovirus DNA in the spleen, contrary to other cetacean adenoviruses detected in the intestinal tract, may suggest a broader tissue tropism. Our study demonstrates adenovirus infection in bowhead whales and the usefulness of molecular diagnostics to discover and genetically characterize novel viruses in marine mammals.
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Dayaram A, Seeber P, Courtiol A, Soilemetzidou S, Tsangaras K, Franz M, McEwen GK, Azab W, Kaczensky P, Melzheimer J, East ML, Ganbaatar O, Walzer C, Osterrieder N, Greenwood AD. Seasonal host and ecological drivers may promote restricted water as a viral vector. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145446. [PMID: 33588222 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In climates with seasonally limited precipitation, terrestrial animals congregate at high densities at scarce water sources. We hypothesize that viruses can exploit the recurrence of these diverse animal congregations to spread. In this study, we test the central prediction of this hypothesis - that viruses employing this transmission strategy remain stable and infectious in water. Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) were chosen as a model as they have been shown to remain stable and infectious in water for weeks under laboratory conditions. Using fecal data from wild equids from a previous study, we establish that EHVs are shed more frequently by their hosts during the dry season, increasing the probability of water source contamination with EHV. We document the presence of several strains of EHVs present in high genome copy number from the surface water and sediments of waterholes sampled across a variety of mammalian assemblages, locations, temperatures and pH. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the different EHV strains found exhibit little divergence despite representing ancient lineages. We employed molecular approaches to show that EHVs shed remain stable in waterholes with detection decreasing with increasing temperature in sediments. Infectivity experiments using cell culture reveals that EHVs remain infectious in water derived from waterholes. The results are supportive of water as an abiotic viral vector for EHV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha Dayaram
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; Institut für Neurophysiologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Seeber
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Mainaustrasse 252, 78467 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alexandre Courtiol
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sanatana Soilemetzidou
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kyriakos Tsangaras
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, CY-2417 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Mathias Franz
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gayle K McEwen
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Walid Azab
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str, 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Kaczensky
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstrasse 1, A-1160 Vienna, Austria; Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jörg Melzheimer
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion L East
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Oyunsaikhan Ganbaatar
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Mongolia; Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area, Takhiin Tal, Gobi-Altai Province, Mongolia
| | - Christian Walzer
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstrasse 1, A-1160 Vienna, Austria; Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd, 10460 Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Nikolaus Osterrieder
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 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, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Alex D Greenwood
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 14163, Germany.
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Böszörményi KP, Podgorski II, Vidovszky MZ, Sós E, Benkő M, Harrach B. Full genome sequence analysis of a novel adenovirus from a captive polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Virus Res 2019; 277:197846. [PMID: 31870796 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The presence of a novel adenovirus (AdV) was detected by PCR and sequencing, in the internal organs of a captive polar bear that had died in the Budapest zoo. The virus content of the samples proved to be high enough to allow for conventional Sanger sequencing on PCR-amplified genomic fragments. With this approach, the sequence of the entire genome of the putative polar bear adenovirus 1 (PBAdV-1) was obtained. Although the genome was found to be short, consisting of 27,952 base pairs merely, with a relatively balanced G + C content of 46.3 %, its organisation corresponded largely to that of a typical mastadenovirus. Every genus-common gene could be identified except that of protein IX. The short E3 region of the PBAdV-1 consisted of two novel, supposedly type-specific ORFs only, whereas no homologue of any of the E3 genes, usually conserved in mastadenoviruses, such as for example that of the 12.5 K protein, were present. In the E4 region, only the highly conserved gene of the 34 K protein was found besides two novel ORFs showing no homology to any known E4 ORFs. In silico sequence analysis revealed putative splicing donor and acceptor sites in the genes of the E1A, IVa2, DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, pTP, 33 K proteins, and also of U exon protein, all being characteristic for mastadenoviruses. Phylogenetic calculations, based on various proteins, further supported that the newly-detected PBAdV is the representative of a new species within the genus Mastadenovirus, and may represent the evolutionary lineage of adenoviruses that coevolved with carnivorans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga P Böszörményi
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1143, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Iva I Podgorski
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1143, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márton Z Vidovszky
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1143, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Endre Sós
- Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, H-1146, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Benkő
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1143, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Harrach
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1143, Budapest, Hungary
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Harrach B, Tarján ZL, Benkő M. Adenoviruses across the animal kingdom: a walk in the zoo. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:3660-3673. [PMID: 31747467 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Adenoviruses (AdVs) infect representatives of numerous species from almost every major vertebrate class, albeit their incidence shows great variability. AdVs infecting birds, reptiles, and bats are the most common and diverse, whereas only one AdV has been so far isolated both from fish and amphibians. The family Adenoviridae is divided into five genera, each corresponding to an independent evolutionary lineage that supposedly coevolved with its respective vertebrate hosts. Members of genera Mastadenovirus and Aviadenovirus seem to infect exclusively mammals and birds, respectively. The genus Ichtadenovirus includes the single known AdV from fish. The majority of AdVs in the genus Atadenovirus originated from squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes), but also certain mammalian and avian AdVs are classified within this genus. The genus Siadenovirus contains the only AdV isolated from frog, along with numerous avian AdVs. In turtles, members of a sixth AdV lineage have been discovered, pending official recognition as an independent genus. The most likely scenario for AdV evolution includes long-term cospeciation with the hosts, as well as occasional switches between closely or, rarely, more distantly related hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Harrach
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán L Tarján
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Benkő
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
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Pavulraj S, Eschke K, Prahl A, Flügger M, Trimpert J, van den Doel PB, Andreotti S, Kaessmeyer S, Osterrieder N, Azab W. Fatal Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus Infection of Two Young Asian Elephants. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7100396. [PMID: 31561506 PMCID: PMC6843339 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) can cause a devastating haemorrhagic disease in young Asian elephants worldwide. Here, we report the death of two young Asian elephants after suffering from acute haemorrhagic disease due to EEHV-1A infection. We detected widespread distribution of EEHV-1A in various organs and tissues of the infected elephants. Enveloped viral particles accumulated within and around cytoplasmic electron-dense bodies in hepatic endothelial cells were detected. Attempts to isolate the virus on different cell cultures showed limited virus replication; however, late viral protein expression was detected in infected cells. We further showed that glycoprotein B (gB) of EEHV-1A possesses a conserved cleavage site Arg-X-Lys/Arg-Arg that is targeted by the cellular protease furin, similar to other members of the Herpesviridae. We have determined the complete 180 kb genome sequence of EEHV-1A isolated from the liver by next-generation sequencing and de novo assembly. As virus isolation in vitro has been unsuccessful and limited information is available regarding the function of viral proteins, we have attempted to take the initial steps in the development of suitable cell culture system and virus characterization. In addition, the complete genome sequence of an EEHV-1A in Europe will facilitate future studies on the epidemiology and diagnosis of EEHV infection in elephants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraj Pavulraj
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Eschke
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Adriane Prahl
- Tierpark Hagenbeck gem. GmbH, Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, 22527 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Michael Flügger
- Tierpark Hagenbeck gem. GmbH, Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, 22527 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Petra B van den Doel
- ViroScience Lab, Erasmus Medical Center, Erasmus MC, Room Ee1714, dr. Molewaterplein 50, Rotterdam, 3015, GE, The Netherlands.
| | - Sandro Andreotti
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Institute of Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sabine Kaessmeyer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, Koserstraße 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Nikolaus Osterrieder
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Walid Azab
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
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