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Chen JT, Chen KJ, Wu KW, Yi SH, Shao JW. Identification and epidemiology of a novel Hepacivirus in domestic ducks in Hunan province, China. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1389264. [PMID: 38756518 PMCID: PMC11096584 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1389264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Hepacivirus comprises a diverse range of genetically distinct viruses that infect both mammalian and non-mammalian hosts, with some posing significant risks to human and animal health. Members of the genus Hepacivirus are typically classified into fourteen species (Hepacivirus A-N), with ongoing discoveries of novel hepaciviruses like Hepacivirus P and Hepacivirus Q. In this study, a novel Hepacivirus was identified in duck liver samples collected from live poultry markets in Hunan province, China, using unbiased high-throughput sequencing and meta-transcriptomic analysis. Through sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis, it was determined that this newly discovered Hepacivirus belongs to a new subspecies of Hepacivirus Q. Moreover, molecular screening revealed the widespread circulation of this novel virus among duck populations in various regions of Hunan province, with an overall prevalence of 13.3%. These findings significantly enhence our understanding of the genetic diversity and evolution of hepaciviruses, emphasizing the presence of genetically diverse hepaciviruses duck populations in China. Given the broad geographical distribution and relatively high positive rate, further investigations are essential to explore any potential associations between Hepacivirus Q and duck-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Tao Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kang-Jing Chen
- School of Medical Technology, Shangqiu Medical College, Shangqiu, China
| | - Kang-Wei Wu
- Department of Microbial Testing, Hengyang Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Hengyang, China
| | - Shan-Hong Yi
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Jian-Wei Shao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
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Waller SJ, Egan E, Crow S, Charsley A, Lokman PM, Williams EK, Holmes EC, Geoghegan JL. Host and geography impact virus diversity in New Zealand's longfin and shortfin eels. Arch Virol 2024; 169:85. [PMID: 38546898 PMCID: PMC10978610 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06019-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
The fishing and aquaculture industry is vital for global food security, yet viral diseases can result in mass fish die-off events. Determining the viromes of traditionally understudied species, such as fish, enhances our understanding of the global virosphere and the factors that influence virome composition and disease emergence. Very little is known about the viruses present in New Zealand's native fish species, including the shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) and the longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii), both of which are fished culturally by Māori (the indigenous population of New Zealand) and commercially. Through a total RNA metatranscriptomic analysis of longfin and shortfin eels across three different geographic locations in the South Island of New Zealand, we aimed to determine whether viruses had jumped between the two eel species and whether eel virome composition was impacted by life stage, species, and geographic location. We identified nine viral species spanning eight different families, thereby enhancing our understanding of eel virus diversity in New Zealand and the host range of these viral families. Viruses of the family Flaviviridae (genus Hepacivirus) were widespread and found in both longfin and shortfin eels, indicative of cross-species transmission or virus-host co-divergence. Notably, both host specificity and geographic location appeared to influence eel virome composition, highlighting the complex interaction between viruses, hosts, and their ecosystems. This study broadens our understanding of viromes in aquatic hosts and highlights the importance of gaining baseline knowledge of fish viral abundance and diversity, particularly in aquatic species that are facing population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Waller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Eimear Egan
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Shannan Crow
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Anthony Charsley
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - P Mark Lokman
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Erica K Williams
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Jemma L Geoghegan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand.
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand.
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Yuan S, Yao XY, Lian CY, Kong S, Shao JW, Zhang XL. Molecular detection and genetic characterization of bovine hepacivirus identified in ticks collected from cattle in Harbin, northeastern China. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1093898. [PMID: 36937022 PMCID: PMC10016144 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1093898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) is a member of the genus Hepacivirus of the family Flaviviridae, which can cause acute or persistent infections in cattle. Currently, BovHepV strains identified in cattle populations worldwide can be classified into two genotypes with eight subtypes in genotype 1. BovHepV has been identified in a wide geographic area in China. Interestingly, the viral RNA of BovHepV has also been detected in ticks in Guangdong province, China. In this study, Rhipicephalus microplus tick samples were collected in Heilongjiang province, northeastern China, and BovHepV was screened with an overall positive rate of 10.9%. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed that the BovHepV strains detected in this study belong to the subtype G. This is the first report about the detection of BovHepV in ticks in Heilongjiang province, China, which expands our knowledge that ticks may be a transmission vector of BovHepV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yuan
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Xin-Yan Yao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Chun-Yang Lian
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Sa Kong
- Beijing Biomedical Technology Center of Jofunhwa Biotechnology (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Wei Shao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Xue-Lian Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Xue-Lian Zhang
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de Martinis C, Cardillo L, Esposito C, Viscardi M, Barca L, Cavallo S, D'Alessio N, Martella V, Fusco G. First identification of bovine hepacivirus in wild boars. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11678. [PMID: 35804025 PMCID: PMC9270363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15928-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans. Humans were long considered the only hosts of Hepacivirus. Recently HCV-like sequences have been found in several animal species. Hepaciviruses are considered species-specific but a wider host range and a zoonotic role has been hypothesized. We report the first detection of bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) sequences in wild boars. A total of 310 wild boars hunted in Campania region were investigated with a pan-hepacivirus nested-PCR protocol for the NS3 gene. Hepacivirus RNA was detected in 5.8% of the animals. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed high homology with BovHepV subtype F, with nucleotide identity of 99%. The positive wild boars were georeferenced, revealing high density of livestock farms, with no clear distinction between animal husbandry and hunting areas. These findings might suggest the ability of BovHepV to cross the host-species barrier and infect wild boars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio de Martinis
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | - Claudia Esposito
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorella Barca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Calabria Section, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Stefania Cavallo
- Department of Epidemiologic and Biostatistic Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aldo Moro" University, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
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