First Report on Detection and Molecular Characterization of Adenoviruses in the Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata)

Using a broad-range nested PCR assay targeting the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase (pol) gene, we detected adenoviruses in 17 (20.48%) out of 83 fecal samples from small Indian mongooses (Urva auropunctata) on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. All 17 PCR amplicons were sequenced for the partial pol gene (~300 bp, hereafter referred to as Mon sequences). Fourteen of the 17 Mon sequences shared maximum homology (98.3-99.6% and 97-98.9% nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequence identities, respectively) with that of bovine adenovirus-6 (species Bovine atadenovirus E). Mongoose-associated adenovirus Mon-39 was most closely related (absolute nt and deduced aa identities) to an atadenovirus from a tropical screech owl. Mon-66 shared maximum nt and deduced aa identities of 69% and 71.4% with those of atadenoviruses from a spur-thighed tortoise and a brown anole lizard, respectively. Phylogenetically, Mon-39 and Mon-66 clustered within clades that were predominated by atadenoviruses from reptiles, indicating a reptilian origin of these viruses. Only a single mongoose-associated adenovirus, Mon-34, was related to the genus Mastadenovirus. However, phylogenetically, Mon-34 formed an isolated branch, distinct from other mastadenoviruses. Since the fecal samples were collected from apparently healthy mongooses, we could not determine whether the mongoose-associated adenoviruses infected the host. On the other hand, the phylogenetic clustering patterns of the mongoose-associated atadenoviruses pointed more towards a dietary origin of these viruses. Although the present study was based on partial pol sequences (~90 aa), sequence identities and phylogenetic analysis suggested that Mon-34, Mon-39, and Mon-66 might represent novel adenoviruses. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection and molecular characterization of adenoviruses from the mongoose.

Low circulation of Influenza A and coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 among other respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic in a region of southern Brazil

With the arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Brazil in February 2020, several preventive measures were taken by the population aiming to avoid severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection including the use of masks, social distancing, and frequent hand washing then, these measures may have contributed to preventing infection also by other respiratory viruses. Our goal was to determine the frequencies of Influenza A and B viruses (FLUAV/FLUBV), human mastadenovirus C (HAdV-C), Enterovirus 68 (EV-68), and rhinovirus (RV) besides SARS-CoV-2 among hospitalized patients suspect of COVID-19 with cases of acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) in the period of March to December 2020 and to detect possible coinfections among them. Nucleic acid detection was performed using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in respiratory samples using naso-oropharyngeal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage. A total of 418 samples of the 987 analyzed (42.3%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, 16 (1.62%) samples were positive for FLUAV, no sample was positive for FLUBV or EV-68, 67 (6.78%) samples were positive for HAdV-C, 55 samples were positive for RV 1/2 (26.3%) and 37 for RV 2/2 (13.6%). Coinfections were also detected, including a triple coinfection with SARS-CoV-2, FLUAV, and HAdV-C. In the present work, a very low frequency of FLUV was reported among hospitalized patients with ARDS compared to the past years, probably due to preventive measures taken to avoid COVID-19 and the high influenza vaccination coverage in the region in which this study was performed.

Potential zoonotic pathogens hosted by endangered bonobos

Few publications, often limited to one specific pathogen, have studied bonobos (Pan paniscus), our closest living relatives, as possible reservoirs of certain human infectious agents. Here, 91 stool samples from semicaptive bonobos and bonobos reintroduced in the wild, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were screened for different infectious agents: viruses, bacteria and parasites. We showed the presence of potentially zoonotic viral, bacterial or parasitic agents in stool samples, sometimes coinfecting the same individuals. A high prevalence of Human mastadenoviruses (HAdV-C, HAdV-B, HAdV-E) was observed. Encephalomyocarditis viruses were identified in semicaptive bonobos, although identified genotypes were different from those identified in the previous fatal myocarditis epidemic at the same site in 2009. Non-pallidum Treponema spp. including symbiotic T. succinifaciens, T. berlinense and several potential new species with unknown pathogenicity were identified. We detected DNA of non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium spp., Acinetobacter spp., Salmonella spp. as well as pathogenic Leptospira interrogans. Zoonotic parasites such as Taenia solium and Strongyloides stercoralis were predominantly present in wild bonobos, while Giardia lamblia was found only in bonobos in contact with humans, suggesting a possible exchange. One third of bonobos carried Oesophagostomum spp., particularly zoonotic O. stephanostomum and O. bifurcum-like species, as well as other uncharacterized Nematoda. Trypanosoma theileri has been identified in semicaptive bonobos. Pathogens typically known to be transmitted sexually were not identified. We present here the results of a reasonably-sized screening study detecting DNA/RNA sequence evidence of potentially pathogenic viruses and microorganisms in bonobo based on a noninvasive sampling method (feces) and focused PCR diagnostics.

Adenovirus Infections in African Humans and Wild Non-Human Primates: Great Diversity and Cross-Species Transmission

Non-human primates (NHPs) are known hosts for adenoviruses (AdVs), so there is the possibility of the zoonotic or cross-species transmission of AdVs. As with humans, AdV infections in animals can cause diseases that range from asymptomatic to fatal. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and diversity of AdVs in: (i) fecal samples of apes and monkeys from different African countries (Republic of Congo, Senegal, Djibouti and Algeria), (ii) stool of humans living near gorillas in the Republic of Congo, in order to explore the potential zoonotic risks. Samples were screened by real-time and standard PCRs, followed by the sequencing of the partial DNA polymerase gene in order to identify the AdV species. The prevalence was 3.3 folds higher in NHPs than in humans. More than 1/3 (35.8%) of the NHPs and 1/10 (10.5%) of the humans excreted AdVs in their feces. The positive rate was high in great apes (46%), with a maximum of 54.2% in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and 35.9% in gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), followed by monkeys (25.6%), with 27.5% in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) and 23.1% in baboons (seven Papio papio and six Papio hamadryas). No green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) were found to be positive for AdVs. The AdVs detected in NHPs were members of Human mastadenovirus E (HAdV-E), HAdV-C or HAdV-B, and those in the humans belonged to HAdV-C or HAdV-D. HAdV-C members were detected in both gorillas and humans, with evidence of zoonotic transmission since phylogenetic analysis revealed that gorilla AdVs belonging to HAdV-C were genetically identical to strains detected in humans who had been living around gorillas, and, inversely, a HAdV-C member HAdV type was detected in gorillas. This confirms the gorilla-to-human transmission of adenovirus. which has been reported previously. In addition, HAdV-E members, the most often detected here, are widely distributed among NHP species regardless of their origin, i.e., HAdV-E members seem to lack host specificity. Virus isolation was successful from a human sample and the strain of the Mbo024 genome, of 35 kb, that was identified as belonging to HAdV-D, exhibited close identity to HAdV-D members for all genes. This study provides information on the AdVs that infect African NHPs and the human populations living nearby, with an evident zoonotic transmission. It is likely that AdVs crossed the species barrier between different NHP species (especially HAdV-E members), between NHPs and humans (especially HAdV-C), but also between humans, NHPs and other animal species.

Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of two guinea pig adenovirus strains recovered from archival lung tissue

Next generation sequencing was used to determine the whole genome sequence for two different strains of guinea pig adenovirus (GPAdV) detected in association with outbreaks of pneumonia in Australia in 1996, and in Germany in 1997 using total DNA extracted from infected archival frozen lung tissue as a template. The length of the determined genomic sequences was 37,031 bp and 37,070 bp, respectively. The nucleotide composition showed a relatively high content of guanine + cytosine (G + C) of 62 %. The 99.6 % nucleotide identity between the two sequenced viruses suggests that they may represent variants of the same genotype. The GPAdV genome exhibits the genomic features of a typical mastadenovirus with at least 32 open reading frames identified. Five novel open reading frames were found at the right end of the genomic sequence. One of them maps to the predicted E3 region and encodes a putative CR1 protein, two map to the E4 region, and two map to the l strand of L1 and L3, respectively. Our phylogenetic analysis of whole genome sequences showed that among the mammalian AdV species described to date, GPAdV is most closely related to MAdV-2 The characterization of this mastadenovirus species offers an opportunity to develop a new small animal model to study mammalian adenovirus pathogenesis.

New Adenovirus Groups in Western Palaearctic Bats

In the context of long-term screening for viruses on Western Palaearctic bats, we tested for the presence of adenovirus 1392 oropharyngeal swabs and 325 stool samples taken from 27 bat species. Adenoviruses were detected in 12 species of the Vespertilionidae and the Rhinolophidae families. Fifty positive respiratory and 26 positive stool samples were studied. Phylogenetic analyses of partial hexon protein and partial DNA-dependent DNA polymerase genes indicate that all these bat adenoviruses belong to the genus Mastadenovirus but without constituting a monophyletic cluster. According to genetic identities, the new groups are distinct to the previously described Bat mastadenovirus A and B species and contribute with potentially new members. Our data support that diversity of bat mastadenovirus is host-dependent and increase the knowledge of potentially pathogenic virus from bats. Due to the active role of bats as viral reservoirs, the characterization of these viruses is relevant for Public Health.

Characterization of a Novel Bat Adenovirus Isolated from Straw-Colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)

Bats are important reservoirs for emerging zoonotic viruses. For extensive surveys of potential pathogens in straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) in Zambia, a total of 107 spleen samples of E. helvum in 2006 were inoculated onto Vero E6 cells. The cell culture inoculated with one of the samples (ZFB06-106) exhibited remarkable cytopathic changes. Based on the ultrastructural property in negative staining and cross-reactivity in immunofluorescence assays, the virus was suspected to be an adenovirus, and tentatively named E. helvum adenovirus 06-106 (EhAdV 06-106). Analysis of the full-length genome of 30,134 bp, determined by next-generation sequencing, showed the presence of 28 open reading frames. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that EhAdV 06-106 represented a novel bat adenovirus species in the genus Mastadenovirus. The virus shared similar characteristics of low G + C contents with recently isolated members of species Bat mastadenoviruses E, F and G, from which EhAdV 06-106 diverged by more than 15% based on the distance matrix analysis of DNA polymerase amino acid sequences. According to the taxonomic criteria, we propose the tentative new species name “Bat mastadenovirus H”. Because EhAdV 06-106 exhibited a wide in vitro cell tropism, the virus might have a potential risk as an emerging virus through cross-species transmission.

First detection of adenovirus in the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) in Brazil

This paper describes the first detection of adenovirus in a Brazilian Desmodus rotundus bat, the common vampire bat. As part of a continuous rabies surveillance program, three bat specimens were captured in Southern Brazil. Total DNA was extracted from pooled organs and submitted to a nested PCR designed to amplify a 280 bp long portion of the DNA polymerase gene of adenoviruses. One positive sample was subjected to nucleotide sequencing, confirming that this DNA fragment belongs to a member of the genus Mastadenovirus. This sequence is approximately 25 % divergent at the nucleotide level from equine adenovirus 1 and two other recently characterized bat adenoviruses.

Detection of bovine and porcine adenoviruses for tracing the source of fecal contamination

In this study, a molecular procedure for the detection of adenoviruses of animal origin was developed to evaluate the level of excretion of these viruses by swine and cattle and to design a test to facilitate the tracing of specific sources of environmental viral contamination. Two sets of oligonucleotides were designed, one to detect porcine adenoviruses and the other to detect bovine and ovine adenoviruses. The specificity of the assays was assessed in 31 fecal samples and 12 sewage samples that were collected monthly during a 1-year period. The data also provided information on the environmental prevalence of animal adenoviruses. Porcine adenoviruses were detected in 17 of 24 (70%) pools of swine samples studied, with most isolates being closely related to serotype 3. Bovine adenoviruses were present in 6 of 8 (75%) pools studied, with strains belonging to the genera Mastadenovirus and Atadenovirus and being similar to bovine adenoviruses of types 2, 4, and 7. These sets of primers produced negative results in nested PCR assays when human adenovirus controls and urban-sewage samples were tested. Likewise, the sets of primers previously designed for detection of human adenovirus also produced negative results with animal adenoviruses. These results indicate the importance of further studies to evaluate the usefulness of these tests to trace the source of fecal contamination in water and food and for environmental studies.

Molecular anatomy of Tupaia (tree shrew) adenovirus genome; evolution of viral genes and viral phylogeny

Adenoviruses are globally spread and infect species in all five taxons of vertebrates. Outstanding attention is focused on adenoviruses because of their transformation potential, their possible usability as vectors in gene therapy and their applicability in studies dealing with, e.g. cell cycle control, DNA replication, transcription, splicing, virus-host interactions, apoptosis, and viral evolution. The accumulation of genetic data provides the basis for the increase of our knowledge about adenoviruses. The Tupaia adenovirus (TAV) infects members of the genus Tupaiidae that are frequently used as laboratory animals in behavior research dealing with questions about biological and molecular processes of stress in mammals, in neurobiological and physiological studies, and as model organisms for human hepatitis B and C virus infections. In the present study the TAV genome underwent an extensive analysis including determination of codon usage, CG depletion, gene content, gene arrangement, potential splice sites, and phylogeny. The TAV genome has a length of 33,501 bp with a G+C content of 49.96%. The genome termini show a strong CG depletion that could be due to methylation of these genome regions during the viral replication cycle. The analysis of the coding capacity of the complete TAV genome resulted in the identification of 109 open reading frames (ORFs), of which 38 were predicted to be real viral genes. TAV was classified within the genus Mastadenovirus characterized by typical gene content, arrangement, and homology values of 29 conserved ORFs. Phylogenetic trees show that TAV is part of a separate evolutionary lineage and no mastadenovirus species can be considered as the most related. In contrast to other mastadenoviruses a direct ancestor of TAV captured a DUT gene from its mammalian host, presumably controlling local dUTP levels during replication and enhance viral replication in non-dividing host tissues. Furthermore, TAV possesses a second DNA-binding protein gene, that is likely to play a role in the determination of the host range. In view of these data it is conceivable that TAV underwent evolutionary adaptations to its biological environment resulting in the formation of special genomic components that provided TAV with the ability to expand its host range during viral evolution.

Characterization of a new adenovirus isolated from black-tailed deer in California

An adenovirus associated with systemic and localized vascular damage was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry in a newly recognized epizootic hemorrhagic disease in California black-tailed deer. In this study, we describe the cultural, physicochemical and serological characteristics of a virus isolated from lung using neonatal white-tail deer lung and turbinate cell cultures. The virus had the cultural, morphological and physicochemical characteristics of members of the Adenoviridae family. The virus would not replicate in low passage fetal bovine, caprine or ovine cells. Antiserum to the deer adenovirus, strain D94-2569, neutralized bovine adenovirus type-6 (BAdV-6), BAdV-7, and caprine adenovirus type-1 (GAdV-1). Antiserum to BAdV-6 did not neutralize the deer adenovirus but antiserum to BAdV-7 and GAdV-1 neutralized the deer adenovirus. Cross-neutralization with the other bovine, caprine and ovine adenovirus species was not observed. Restriction endonuclease patterns generated for the deer adenovirus were unique compared to those for the currently recognized bovine, caprine and ovine adenovirus types. Amino acid sequence alignments of the hexon gene from the deer adenovirus strain D94-2569 indicate that it is a member of the proposed new genus (Atadenovirus) of the Adenoviridae family. While closely related antigenically to BAdV-7 and GAdV-1, the deer adenovirus appears sufficiently distinct culturally and molecularly to justify consideration as a new adenovirus type.

Determination of bovine adenovirus-3 titer based on immunohistochemical detection of DNA binding protein in infected cells

DNA sequence coding for a portion of DNA binding protein (amino acids 3-58) of bovine adenovirus type-3 (BAV-3) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S-transferase. The fusion protein was affinity purified and used to immunize rabbits. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis showed that the antiserum could specifically recognize a protein of 48 kDa in BAV-3-infected cells, which was produced both in early and late phases of BAV-3 life cycle. Based on the ability of antiserum to recognize DNA binding protein, a novel assay for BAV-3 quantitation was established. The assay is less time consuming and can be performed on a wide variety of bovine cells. In addition, virus titers determined by this assay are comparable to the standard plaque assay.

The complete nucleotide sequence of porcine adenovirus serotype 5

The complete nucleotide sequence of porcine adenovirus serotype 5 (PAdV-5) has been determined and the putative genomic map was constructed. The size of the genome was found to be 32621 nucleotides. Twenty-eight putative ORFs were identified by their homology to other adenovirus or other virus and eukaryotic genes. Several special protein sequence motifs were identified by their homology to similar protein motifs. The putative promoter regions, polyadenylation and splice sites were predicted and the early and late transcription units were determined. Based on sequence analysis and RNA secondary structure prediction, sequences for virus-associated RNA could not be recognized. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PAdV-5 was more closely related to certain bovine adenoviruses than to other porcine adenoviruses.

Isolation of a bovine adenovirus serotype 10 from a calf in the United States

Virus isolated from the lung, liver, kidney, and small intestine of a 3-month-old Holstein heifer with a clinical history of pneumonia and lesions in multiple organs was identified as an adenovirus on the basis of morphological and physicochemical characteristics. The adenovirus was determined to be a serotype 10 bovine adenovirus and represents the first reported isolation of this serotype in the United States. Inoculation of calves with this isolate resulted in mild to moderate clinical response consisting of fever, inappetence, increased respiratory rate, cough, and listlessness. Gross lesions were minimal in the respiratory tract and consisted of fibrin in the airways and small areas of consolidation in the cranial lobes of the lung. Mucofibrinous foci were present on the mucosa of the upper small intestine.

Pathological and in situ hybridisation findings in calves experimentally infected with bovine adenovirus type 4

Three colostrum deprived calves were inoculated intravenously with a strain of bovine adenovirus type 4 (BAV-4) isolated from a calf with acute fibrinous enteritis. The calves were monitored clinically and submitted to post mortem examination at 5, 6 and 10 days post inoculation (p. i.) respectively. The 3 animals showed raise in temperature and diarrhoea. Acute enteritis was observed in calves submitted to post mortem examination at 5 and 6 days p. i. In these animals viral DNA was specifically detected on histological sections by an in situ hybridization (ISH) technique; BAV-4 was isolated from most of the organs and numerous adenovirus-positive endothelial cells were present in the gastrointestinal tract, mesenteric lymph nodes and liver. In the calf examined 10 days p. i. no lesions were observed and rare ISH positive cells were detected. These results indicate that in experimental conditions our strain of BAV-4 is capable to induce clinical signs and lesions similar to those reported in field cases.

Susceptibility and signs associated with mouse adenovirus type 1 infection of adult outbred Swiss mice

Adult Swiss outbred mice from two sources had a nearly 6,000-fold difference in susceptibility to mouse adenovirus type 1-induced disease. This difference was not attributable to differential organ tropism. Signs associated with mouse adenovirus type 1 infection that have not been previously reported are described at the clinical, gross pathological, and histological levels.

Disseminated adenovirus infection associated with cutaneous and visceral hemorrhages in a nursing piglet

An unusual adenovirus infection in a conventionally raised nursing pig was characterized clinically by hemorrhagic diathesis of the skin and microscopically by disseminated viral inclusions in the endothelial, interstitial, and epithelial cells of the skin, kidney, spleen, liver, heart, and small and large intestines. This disease was confirmed ultrastructurally by demonstration of typical adenoviral particles in the nuclei of endothelial cells in the myocardium and of interstitial cells in the small intestine. This is the first report of disseminated adenovirus infection in a nursing pig in North America.

Restriction endonuclease analysis and physical mapping of the genome of porcine adenovirus type 5

The HNF61 and HNF70 isolates of porcine adenovirus type 5 (PAV-5) were cultivated in PK-15 cells, and viral DNA was extracted from the infected cells by a modified Hirt procedure. The DNAs were digested by each of 9 restriction endonucleases, and fragments representing the entire genomes were cloned. Based on the sizes of the restriction enzyme fragments, the genome of each isolate was estimated to be 33.2 kb. Physical maps for the 9 restriction endonucleases were constructed. The physical maps of the two isolates were identical for 5 of the restriction endonucleases, but 4 enzymes revealed differences in restriction sites occurring mainly between map units 78 and 83, which may include the E3 region of the genome. There were no similarities between the physical maps of PAV-5 and those described for the other 4 serotypes of PAV.

Isolation of porcine adenovirus as a candidate of 5th serotype

A strain of cytopathic virus, named strain TG/K79, was isolated from the brain of a newborn piglet, pure Hampshire breed, which died shortly after birth. The physicochemical property of virus was considered to be that of the family Adenoviridae. A significant difference between our isolated and 4 reference porcine adenoviruses was demonstrated by cross-seroneutralization test. Differences between TG/K79 and other porcine adenoviruses were also seen in electrophoretic patterns of viral DNA in agarose gel after digested by restriction endonucleases. Two SPF pigs, 2-month-old, experimentally infected via intranasal showed a fever and a hemorrhagic enteritis. A serological survey indicates that at least swine in the farm where the virus was isolated have been highly contaminated.

Sequence and sequence analysis of E1 and pIX regions of the BAV3 genome

Bovine adenovirus type 3 (BAV3) is a DNA virus that causes respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders in cattle. We have sequenced the extreme left end of BAV3 genome (0-11.7 map units). Partial analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed 19 potential open reading frames (ORFs) that could encode for polypeptides of 50 or more amino acids. Four of these ORFs show homology to known adenovirus polypeptides. The four BAV3 ORFs are located in approximately the same area as the Ad5 E1a, E1b, and pIX ORFs. ORF 1 has the potential to code for a 208 amino acid long polypeptide that is 75.5% homologous to the E1a conserved region III of Ad5. ORFs 2 and 3 encode 157 and 420 amino acid long polypeptide, respectively. The 157 amino acid polypeptides exhibits 69.3% homology to the Ad5 small T antigen, and the 420 amino acid polypeptide exhibits 73% homology to the large T antigen of Ad5. ORF4 has the potential to code for a 125 amino acid long polypeptide that has 73% homology to the hexon-associated pIX of Ad7.

Adenovirus pneumonia in guineapigs: an experimental reproduction of the disease

The recently described virus-induced pneumonia in guineapigs (Naumann et al., 1981) was experimentally reproducible in newborn animals, though not in preadult animals. Baby hamsters and newborn rats were also not susceptible to infection. 10 of 11 infected newborn guineapigs developed pathological changes identical with those found in spontaneous cases. The incubation period was from 5 to 10 days. The agent could not be cultivated in vitro, and therefore no applicable serological tests could be established. The morphology of the virus, its intranuclear location, the course of the disease and the histopathological and ultrastructural changes strongly suggest that the virus is an adenovirus specific for guineapigs. The virus did not cross-react with human or fowl adenoviruses. It was ether resistant and non-oncogenic in baby rats and hamsters. During a 5-year period we registered a total of 51 spontaneous death cases diagnosed as adenovirus pneumonia in our experimental guineapigs, 4 from own breeding colony.