Gamma and Deltacoronaviruses in quail and pheasants from Northern Italy1

Genetic characterization of the first Deltacoronavirus from wild birds around Qinghai Lake

Deltacoronavirus, widely distributed among pigs and wild birds, pose a significant risk of cross-species transmission, including potential human epidemics. Metagenomic analysis of bird samples from Qinghai Lake, China in 2021 reported the presence of Deltacoronavirus. A specific gene fragment of Deltacoronavirus was detected in fecal samples from wild birds at a positive rate of 5.94% (6/101). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified a novel Deltacoronavirus strain, which was closely related to isolates from the United Arab Emirates (2018), China (2022), and Poland (2023). Subsequently the strain was named A/black-headed gull/Qinghai/2021(BHG-QH-2021) upon confirmation of the Cytochrome b gene of black-headed gull in the sample. All available genome sequences of avian Deltacoronavirus, including the newly identified BHG-QH-2021 and 5 representative strains of porcine Deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), were classified according to ICTV criteria. In contrast to Coronavirus HKU15, which infects both mammals and birds and shows the possibility of cross-species transmission from bird to mammal host, our analysis revealed that BHG-QH-2021 is classified as Putative species 4. Putative species 4 has been reported to infect 5 species of birds but not mammals, suggesting that cross-species transmission of Putative species 4 is more prevalent among birds. Recombination analysis traced BHG-QH-2021 origin to dut148cor1 and MW01_1o strains, with MW01_1o contributing the S gene. Surprisingly, SwissModle prediction showed that the optimal template for receptor-binding domain (RBD) of BHG-QH-2021 is derived from the human coronavirus 229E, a member of the Alphacoronavirus, rather than the anticipated RBD structure of PDCoV of Deltacoronavirus. Further molecular docking analysis revealed that substituting the loop 1-2 segments of HCoV-229E significantly enhanced the binding capability of BHG-QH-2021 with human Aminopeptidase N (hAPN), surpassing its native receptor-binding domain (RBD). Most importantly, this finding was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiment that loop 1-2 segments of HCoV-229E enable BHG-QH-2021 RBD binding to hAPN, indicating that the loop 1-2 segment of the RBD in Putative species 4 is a probable key determinant for the virus ability to spill over into humans. Our results summarize the phylogenetic relationships among known Deltacoronavirus, reveal an independent putative avian Deltacoronavirus species with inter-continental and inter-species transmission potential, and underscore the importance of continuous surveillance of wildlife Deltacoronavirus.

Cross-species transmission, evolution and zoonotic potential of coronaviruses

Coronaviruses (CoVs) continuously evolve, crossing species barriers and spreading across host ranges. Over the last two decades, several CoVs (HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) have emerged in animals and mammals, causing significant economic and human life losses. Due to CoV cross-species transmission and the evolution of novel viruses, it is critical to identify their natural reservoiurs and the circumstances under which their transmission occurs. In this review, we use genetic and ecological data to disentangle the evolution of various CoVs in wildlife, humans, and domestic mammals. We thoroughly investigate several host species and outline the epidemiology of CoVs toward specific hosts. We also discuss the cross-species transmission of CoVs at the interface of wildlife, animals, and humans. Clarifying the epidemiology and diversity of species reservoirs will significantly impact our ability to respond to the future emergence of CoVs in humans and domestic animals.

Molecular Characterization of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Strain HH06 Isolated in a Poultry Farm in Northeastern China

Spike (S) glycoprotein is an important virulent factor for coronaviruses (CoVs), and variants of CoVs have been characterized based on S gene analysis. We present phylogenetic relationship of an isolated infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain with reference to the available genome and protein sequences based on network, multiple sequence, selection pressure, and evolutionary fingerprinting analysis in People's Republic of China. One hundred and elven strains of CoVs i.e., Alphacoronaviruses (Alpha-CoVs; n = 12), Betacoronaviruses (Beta-CoVs; n = 37), Gammacoronaviruses (Gamma-CoVs; n = 46), and Deltacoronaviruses (Delta-CoVs; n = 16) were selected for this purpose. Phylogenetically, SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoVs clustered together with Bat-CoVs and MERS-CoV of Beta-CoVs (C). The IBV HH06 of Avian-CoVs was closely related to Duck-CoV and partridge S14, LDT3 (teal and chicken host). Beluga whale-CoV (SW1) and Bottlenose dolphin-CoVs of mammalian origin branched distantly from other animal origin viruses, however, making group with Avian-CoVs altogether into Gamma-CoVs. The motif analysis indicated well-conserved domains on S protein, which were similar within the same phylogenetic class and but variable at different domains of different origins. Recombination network tree indicated SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Bat-CoVs, although branched differently, shared common clades. The MERS-CoVs of camel and human origin spread branched into a different clade, however, was closely associated closely with SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Bat-CoVs. Whereas, HCoV-OC43 has human origin and branched together with bovine CoVs with but significant distant from other CoVs like SARS CoV-2 and SARS-CoV of human origin. These findings explain that CoVs' constant genetic recombination and evolutionary process that might maintain them as a potential veterinary and human epidemic threat.

The order of events on Avian coronavirus life cycle shapes the order of quasispecies evolution during host switches

To understand the population genetics events during coronavirus host switches, the Beaudette strain of Avian coronavirus (AvCoV) adapted to BHK-21 cells was passaged 15 times in VERO cells, the virus load and the variants at each passage being determined by RT-qPCR and genome-length deep sequencing. From BHK-21 P2 to VERO P3, a trend for the extinction of variants was followed by stability up to VERO P11 and both the emergence and the rise in frequency in some variants, while the virus loads were stable up to VERO P12. At the spillover from BHK-21 to VERO cells, variants that both emerged, showed a rise in frequency or were extinguished were detected on the spike, while variants at the M gene showed the same pattern only at VERO passage 13. Furthermore, nsps 3-5, 9 and 15 variants were detected at lower passages compared to the consensus sequences, with those at nsp3 being detected in the spectra also at higher passages. This suggests that quasispecies coronavirus evolution in spillovers follows the virus life cycle, starting with the evolution of the receptor binding proteins, followed by the replicase and then proteins involved in virion assembly, keeping the general fitness of the mutant spectrum stable.

Diversity of Coronaviruses in Wild Representatives of the Aves Class in Poland

The revealed prevalence of coronaviruses in wild bird populations in Poland was 4.15% and the main reservoirs were birds from orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, with a prevalence of 3.51% and 5.59%, respectively. Gammacoronaviruses were detected more often than deltacoronaviruses, with detection rates of 3.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Gammacoronaviruses were detected in birds belonging to six orders, including Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, and Passeriformes, indicating a relatively wide host range. Interestingly, this was the only coronavirus detected in Anseriformes (3.51%), while in Charadriiformes, the prevalence was 3.1%. The identified gammacoronaviruses belonged to the Igacovirus and Brangacovirus subgeneras. Most of these were igacoviruses and formed a common phylogenetic group with a Duck Coronavirus 2714 and two with an Avian Coronavirus/Avian Coronavirus9203, while the viruses from the pigeons formed a distinct “pigeon-like” group, not yet officially represented. The presence of deltacoronaviruses was detected in birds belonging to three orders, Charadriiformes, Galliformes, and Suliformes indicating a narrower host range. Most identified deltacoronaviruses belonged to the Buldecovirus subgenus, while only one belonged to Herdecovirus. Interestingly, the majority of buldecoviruses were identified in gulls, and they formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage not represented by any officially ratified virus species. Another separate group of buldecoviruses, also not represented by the official species, was formed by a virus identified in a common snipe. Only one identified buldecovirus (from common pheasant) formed a group with the ratified species Coronavirus HKU15. The results obtained indicate the high diversity of detected coronaviruses, and thus also the need to update their taxonomy (establishing new representative virus species). The serological studies performed revealed antibodies against an infectious bronchitis virus in the sera of white storks and mallards.

Replication and vaccine protection of multiple infectious bronchitis virus strains in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

This study demonstrates that infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain M41, which is pathogenic for chickens, is nonpathogenic for pheasants. However, M41 replicated in the respiratory tracts of most inoculated pheasants and the virus was shed from their respiratory tracts in the early stages of infection (4 and 8 dpc). Similarly, the attenuated IBV H120 vaccine strain also replicated and the virus was shed from their respiratory tracts of most inoculated pheasants, whereas the pheasant coronavirus (PhCoV) I0623/17 replicated in the respiratory tracts of all challenged pheasants, which then shed virus for a long period of time. Strain M41 also replicated in selected tissues of the inoculated pheasants, including the lung, kidney, proventriculus, and cecal tonsil, although the viral titers were very low. Therefore, it was important to establish whether the H120 vaccine, which has a limited replication capacity in pheasants, induces a protective immune response to both "homologous" M41 and "heterologous" I0623/17 challenge. Vaccination with H120 induced humoral responses, and the replication of M41 was reduced or restricted in the tissues of the H120-vaccinated pheasants compared with its replication in unvaccinated birds. This implies that partial protection was conferred on pheasants by vaccination with the H120 vaccine. Prolonged viral replication and a large number of birds shedding virus into the respiratory tract were also observed in the unvaccinated pheasants after inoculation with M41. However, only limited protection against challenge with PhCoV I0623/17 was conferred on pheasants vaccinated with H120, largely because the replication of H120 in pheasants was limited, thus, limiting the immune responses induced by it. The low amino acid identity of the S1 subunit of the S proteins of H120 and I0623/17 might also account, at least in part, for the poor cross-protective immunity induced by H120. These results suggest that further work is required to rationally design vaccines that confer effective protection against PhCoV infection in commercial pheasant stocks.

Alteration of immunological parameters in infectious bronchitis vaccinated-specific pathogen-free broilers after the use of different infectious bursal disease vaccines

The vaccines currently available to control infectious bursal disease (IBD) include live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines, immune-complex vaccines, and vaccines consisting of viral constructs of herpesvirus of turkeys genetically engineered to express VP2 surface protein. To evaluate the impact of vaccines on the chicken immune system, 2 animal trials were performed in specific pathogen-free broiler chickens. In trial 1, birds were either vaccinated when they are one-day old with a dual recombinant herpes virus of turkey construct vaccine, expressing VP2 protein of (IBDV) and F protein of Newcastle disease virus, or an immune-complex IBDV vaccine or birds were not vaccinated. At 14, 28, and 35 D, the bursa of Fabricius was collected for bursa:body weight (B:BW) ratio calculation. In trial 2, birds were vaccinated when they were 1-day old according to the same protocol as trial 1, but at day 14, all groups also received a live infectious bronchitis (IB) vaccine. At 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after IB vaccination, birds were tested by ELISA for IB serology and, soon after the last blood sampling, they were euthanized for collection of Harderian glands, trachea, and spleen and testing by flow cytometry for characterization of mononuclear cells. The immune-complex vaccine groups showed significantly lower B:BW ratio, lower IBV antibody titers, and higher mean percentage of CD8+ T cells in the spleen, trachea, and Harderian glands than those in the other experimental groups. The results of the in vivo trials coupled with a depth analysis of the repertoire of parameters involved in the immune response to IBD and IB vaccinations show one vaccine may influence the immune response of other vaccines included in the vaccination program.

Genetic, antigenic and pathogenic characterization of avian coronaviruses isolated from pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in China

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Two pheasant coronaviruses (PhCoVs) were isolated in 2017 in China.

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The two PhCoVs were genetically similar to IBV.

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Pathogenicity, replication, and shedding of PhCoV were obvious different when infected chickens and pheasants.

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PhCoVs isolated from different outbreaks may have evolved independently from IBVs by adaption in pheasants.

Two viruses were isolated in 2017 from commercial pheasants with severe clinical signs and mortality in Shandong and Anhui provinces, China, respectively. We examined the pathogenic effects of the viruses in chicken embryos and the size and morphology of the virus particles, performed phylogenetic analysis based on the S1 gene and complete genomic sequences, and examined the antibody responses against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The results suggested that the viruses I0623/17 and I0710/17 were avian coronaviruses and were identified as pheasant coronaviruses (PhCoV), with greatest similarity to IBV. Further investigations of the antigenicity, complete genome organization, substitutions in multiple genes, and viral pathogenicity, replication, and shedding in chickens and pheasants showed obvious differences between PhCoV and IBV in terms of antigenicity, and viral pathogenicity, replication, and shedding in chickens and pheasants. The close genetic relationship, but obvious differences between PhCoVs and IBVs suggested the IBVs could be the ancestors of PhCoVs, and that PhCoVs isolated from different outbreaks may have evolved independently from IBVs circulating in the specific region by adaption in pheasants. This hypothesis was supported by analysis of the S1 gene fragments of the two PhCoVs isolated in the current study, as well as PhCoVs isolated in the UK and selected IBV strains. Such analyses indicated different evolution patterns and different tissue tropisms between PhCoVs isolated in different outbreaks. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis by studying the complete genomic sequences of PhCoVs from different outbreaks and the pathogenicity of IBVs in pheasants to compare and clarify the relationships between PhCoVs and IBVs.

Epidemiology of Deltacoronaviruses (δ-CoV) and Gammacoronaviruses (γ-CoV) in Wild Birds in the United States

Porcine deltacoronavirus (δ-CoV) is the object of extensive research in several countries including the United States. In contrast, the epidemiology of δ-CoVs in wild birds in the US is largely unknown. Our aim was to comparatively assess the prevalence of δ- and γ-CoVs in wild migratory terrestrial and aquatic birds in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. A total of 1236 cloacal/fecal swabs collected during the period 2015–2018 were tested for γ- and δ-CoVs using genus-specific reverse transcription-PCR assays. A total of 61 (4.99%) samples were γ-CoV positive, with up to 29 positive samples per state. In contrast, only 14 samples were positive for δ-CoV (1.14%) with only 1–4 originating from the same state. Thus, unlike previous reports from Asia, γ-CoVs are more prevalent than δ-CoVs in the US, suggesting that δ-CoVs may spread in birds with lower efficiency. This may indicate δ-CoV emerging status and incomplete adaptation to new host species limiting its spread. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial N gene revealed that the newly identified δ-CoV strains were most closely related to the HKU20 (wigeon) strain. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of aquatic bird δ-CoVs in the epidemiology of δ-CoVs in swine and terrestrial birds.

Whole genome characterisation of quail deltacoronavirus detected in Poland

Quail deltacoronavirus (QdCoV) described for the first time in the United Arab Emirates in 2018 belongs to the same deltacoronavirus species as viruses discovered in swine and tree sparrows. The full-length genome of QdCoV detected in quails with enteritis in Poland has similar organization as Middle Eastern viruses although there is no NSP7c gene. The overall degree of nucleotide sequence identity was 92.4-92.6% between Polish PL/G032/2015 and Middle Eastern UAE-HKU30 QdCoV isolates. The sequences of the individual genes show similar nucleotide identities in the range of 91.4-94.7% with the exception of the S gene with lower identity of 85.6-85.7%. The most variable part of the S gene is its fragment encoding the N-terminal domain of the S protein which is responsible for receptor binding. The amino acid homology in this region between PL/G032/2015 and UAE-HKU30 QdCoVs was 74.5-74.7%. In contrast, the C-terminal domain of the S protein which is responsible for membrane fusion had an amino acid homology of 96.9%. In the phylogenetic tree, PL/G032/2015 branched separately but clustered with the UAE-HKU30 QdCoV isolates. These data suggest that PL/G032/2015 could be a new genetic/serologic variant of QdCoV.

Coronaviruses in Avian Species - Review with Focus on Epidemiology and Diagnosis in Wild Birds

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large group of enveloped viruses with a single-strand RNA genome, which continuously circulate in mammals and birds and pose a threat to livestock, companion animals, and humans. CoVs harboured by avian species are classified to the genera gamma- and deltacoronaviruses. Within the gamma-CoVs the main representative is avian coronavirus, a taxonomic name which includes the highly contagious infectious bronchitis viruses (IBVs) in chickens and similar viruses infecting other domestic birds such as turkeys, guinea fowls, or quails. Additionally, IBVs have been detected in healthy wild birds, demonstrating that they may act as the vector between domestic and free-living birds. Moreover, CoVs other than IBVs, are identified in wild birds, which suggests that wild birds play a key role in the epidemiology of other gammaCoVs and deltaCoVs. Development of molecular techniques has significantly improved knowledge of the prevalence of CoVs in avian species. The methods adopted in monitoring studies of CoVs in different avian species are mainly based on detection of conservative regions within the viral replicase, nucleocapsid genes, and 3'UTR or 5'UTR. The purpose of this review is to summarise recent discoveries in the areas of epidemiology and diagnosis of CoVs in avian species and to understand the role of wild birds in the virus distribution.

Development of a one-step RT-PCR assay for detection of pancoronaviruses (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-coronaviruses) using newly designed degenerate primers for porcine and avian `fecal samples

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are critical human and animal pathogens because of their potential to cause severe epidemics of respiratory or enteric diseases. In pigs, the newly emerged porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) and re-emerged porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) reported in the US and Asia, as well as the discovery of novel CoVs in wild bats or birds, has necessitated development of improved detection and control measures for these CoVs. Because the previous pancoronavirus (panCoV) RT-PCR established in our laboratory in 2007-2011 did not detect deltacoronaviruses (δ-CoVs) in swine fecal and serum samples, our goal was to develop a new panCoV RT-PCR assay to detect known human and animal CoVs, including δ-CoVs. In this study, we designed a new primer set to amplify a 668 bp-region within the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) gene that encodes the most conserved protein domain of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-CoVs. We established a one-step panCoV RT-PCR assay and standardized the assay conditions. The newly established panCoV RT-PCR assay was demonstrated to have a high sensitivity and specificity. Using a panel of 60 swine biological samples (feces, intestinal contents, and sera) characterized by PEDV, PDCoV and transmissible gastroenteritis virus-specific RT-PCR assays, we demonstrated that sensitivity and specificity of the newly established panCoV RT-PCR assay were 100%. 400 avian fecal (RNA) samples were further tested simultaneously for CoV by the new panCoV RT-PCR and a one-step RT-PCR assay with the δ-CoV nucleocapsid-specific universal primers. Four of 400 avian samples were positive for CoV, three of which were positive for δ-CoV by the conventional RT-PCR. PanCoV RT-PCR fragments for 3 of the 4 CoVs were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of one γ-CoV and two δ-CoV in the sequenced samples. The newly designed panCoV RT-PCR assay should be useful for the detection of currently known CoVs in animal biological samples.