scholarly journals Genetic Strain Diversity of Multi-Host RNA Viruses that Infect a Wide Range of Pollinators and Associates is Shaped by Geographic Origins

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Jana Dobelmann ◽  
Antoine Felden ◽  
Philip J. Lester
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Linepithema Humile ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Deformed Wing Virus ◽  
Strain Diversity ◽  
Wide Range

Emerging viruses have caused concerns about pollinator population declines, as multi-host RNA viruses may pose a health threat to pollinators and associated arthropods. In order to understand the ecology and impact these viruses have, we studied their host range and determined to what extent host and spatial variation affect strain diversity. Firstly, we used RT-PCR to screen pollinators and associates, including honey bees (Apis mellifera) and invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile), for virus presence and replication. We tested for the black queen cell virus (BQCV), deformed wing virus (DWV), and Kashmir bee virus (KBV) that were initially detected in bees, and the two recently discovered Linepithema humile bunya-like virus 1 (LhuBLV1) and Moku virus (MKV). DWV, KBV, and MKV were detected and replicated in a wide range of hosts and commonly co-infected hymenopterans. Secondly, we placed KBV and DWV in a global phylogeny with sequences from various countries and hosts to determine the association of geographic origin and host with shared ancestry. Both phylogenies showed strong geographic rather than host-specific clustering, suggesting frequent inter-species virus transmission. Transmission routes between hosts are largely unknown. Nonetheless, avoiding the introduction of non-native species and diseased pollinators appears important to limit spill overs and disease emergence.

scholarly journals Parasites and RNA viruses in wild and laboratory reared bumble bees Bombus pauloensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Uruguay

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249842
Author(s):  
Sheena Salvarrey ◽  
Karina Antúnez ◽  
Daniela Arredondo ◽  
Santiago Plischuk ◽  
Pablo Revainera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Deformed Wing Virus ◽  
Internal Parasites ◽  
Queen Cell ◽  
Field Workers ◽  
Paralysis Virus

Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators insects involved in the maintenance of natural ecosystems and food production. Bombus pauloensis is a widely distributed species in South America, that recently began to be managed and commercialized in this region. The movement of colonies within or between countries may favor the dissemination of parasites and pathogens, putting into risk while populations of B. pauloensis and other native species. In this study, wild B. pauloensis queens and workers, and laboratory reared workers were screened for the presence of phoretic mites, internal parasites (microsporidia, protists, nematodes and parasitoids) and RNA viruses (Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Acute paralysis virus (ABCV) and Sacbrood virus (SBV)). Bumble bee queens showed the highest number of mite species, and it was the only group where Conopidae and S. bombi were detected. In the case of microsporidia, a higher prevalence of N. ceranae was detected in field workers. Finally, the bumble bees presented the four RNA viruses studied for A. mellifera, in proportions similar to those previously reported in this species. Those results highlight the risks of spillover among the different species of pollinators.

scholarly journals RNA Virus-Encoded miRNAs: Current Insights and Future Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asuka Nanbo ◽  
Wakako Furuyama ◽  
Zhen Lin
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Eukaryotic Gene ◽  
Potential Applications

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate eukaryotic gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and affect a wide range of biological processes. Over the past two decades, numerous virus-encoded miRNAs have been identified. Some of them are crucial for viral replication, whereas others can help immune evasion. Recent sequencing-based bioinformatics methods have helped identify many novel miRNAs, which are encoded by RNA viruses. Unlike the well-characterized DNA virus-encoded miRNAs, the role of RNA virus-encoded miRNAs remains controversial. In this review, we first describe the current knowledge of miRNAs encoded by various RNA viruses, including newly emerging viruses. Next, we discuss how RNA virus-encoded miRNAs might facilitate viral replication, immunoevasion, and persistence in their hosts. Last, we briefly discuss the challenges in the experimental methodologies and potential applications of miRNAs for diagnosis and therapeutics.

scholarly journals 491. Aerosol-Generating Medical Procedures: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Viruses

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S312-S312
Author(s):  
Seth D Judson ◽  
Vincent J Munster
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Nosocomial Transmission ◽  
Medical Procedures ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Zoonotic Viruses ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Background During the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many questions arose regarding risks for hospital-acquired or nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs), techniques that can generate infectious, virus-laden aerosols, could potentially amplify transmission among healthcare workers (HCWs). Thus, it was widely recommended that HCWs use airborne precautions when performing AGMPs. However, in clinical settings it is often unclear what procedures constitute AGMPs and how the risk varies by procedure or pathogen. We set out to further define AGMPs and assess the risk for nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other high-risk viruses via AGMPs. Methods We identified potential AGMPs and emerging viruses that were high-risk for nosocomial transmission through reviewing experimental and clinical data. Potential AGMPs were those associated with previous virus transmission or mechanically capable of transmission. High-risk viruses were defined as those that cause severe disease in humans for which limited therapies or interventions exist, are infectious via aerosols in humans or non-human primates (NHPs), found in the respiratory tract of infected humans or NHPs, and had previous evidence of nosocomial transmission. Results We identified multiple potential AGMPs, which could be divided into those that generate aerosols or induce a patient to form aerosols, as well as eight families of high-risk viruses. All of the viruses were emerging zoonotic RNA viruses. In the family Coronaviridae, we identified potential evidence for SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 transmission via AGMPs. SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 were also found to be similarly stable when aerosolized. Conclusion Multiple emerging zoonotic viruses pose a high risk for nosocomial transmission through a variety of AGMPs. Given the similar stability of SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV-1 when aerosolized and prior nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-1 via AGMPs, we suspect that certain AGMPs pose an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Additional experimental studies and on-site clinical sampling during AGMPs are necessary to further risk stratify AGMPs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Pupal cannibalism by worker honey bees contributes to the spread of deformed wing virus

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Posada-Florez ◽  
Zachary S. Lamas ◽  
David J. Hawthorne ◽  
Yanping Chen ◽  
Jay D. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Viral Pathogen ◽  
Deformed Wing Virus ◽  
Hygienic Behaviour ◽  
Pathogen Virulence ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge

AbstractTransmission routes impact pathogen virulence and genetics, therefore comprehensive knowledge of these routes and their contribution to pathogen circulation is essential for understanding host–pathogen interactions and designing control strategies. Deformed wing virus (DWV), a principal viral pathogen of honey bees associated with increased honey bee mortality and colony losses, became highly virulent with the spread of its vector, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Reproduction of Varroa mites occurs in capped brood cells and mite-infested pupae from these cells usually have high levels of DWV. The removal of mite-infested pupae by worker bees, Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH), leads to cannibalization of pupae with high DWV loads, thereby offering an alternative route for virus transmission. We used genetically tagged DWV to investigate virus transmission to and between worker bees following pupal cannibalisation under experimental conditions. We demonstrated that cannibalization of DWV-infected pupae resulted in high levels of this virus in worker bees and that the acquired virus was then transmitted between bees via trophallaxis, allowing circulation of Varroa-vectored DWV variants without the mites. Despite the known benefits of hygienic behaviour, it is possible that higher levels of VSH activity may result in increased transmission of DWV via cannibalism and trophallaxis.

scholarly journals Sequence Variation in Two Protein-Coding Genes Correlates with Mycelial Compatibility Groupings in Sclerotium rolfsii

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efrén Remesal ◽  
Blanca B. Landa ◽  
María del Mar Jiménez-Gasco ◽  
Juan A. Navas-Cortés
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Sequence Variation ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Sclerotium Rolfsii ◽  
Nuclear Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Causal Organism ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Protein Coding Genes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mycelial Compatibility

Populations of Sclerotium rolfsii, the causal organism of Sclerotium root-rot on a wide range of hosts, can be placed into mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs). In this study, we evaluated three different molecular approaches to unequivocally identify each of 12 previously identified MCGs. These included restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and sequence analysis of two protein-coding genes: translation elongation factor 1α (EF1α) and RNA polymerase II subunit two (RPB2). A collection of 238 single-sclerotial isolates representing 12 MCGs of S. rolfsii were obtained from diseased sugar beet plants from Chile, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. ITS-RFLP analysis using four restriction enzymes (AluI, HpaII, RsaI, and MboI) displayed a low degree of variability among MCGs. Only three different restriction profiles were identified among S. rolfsii isolates, with no correlation to MCG or to geographic origin. Based on nucleotide polymorphisms, the RPB2 gene was more variable among MCGs compared with the EF1α gene. Thus, 10 of 12 MCGs could be characterized utilizing the RPB2 region only, while the EF1α region resolved 7 MCGs. However, the analysis of combined partial sequences of EF1α and RPB2 genes allowed discrimination among each of the 12 MCGs. All isolates belonging to the same MCG showed identical nucleotide sequences that differed by at least in one nucleotide from a different MCG. The consistency of our results to identify the MCG of a given S. rolfsii isolate using the combined sequences of EF1α and RPB2 genes was confirmed using blind trials. Our study demonstrates that sequence variation in the protein-coding genes EF1α and RPB2 may be exploited as a diagnostic tool for MCG typing in S. rolfsii as well as to identify previously undescribed MCGs.

scholarly journals Raised by aliens: constant exposure to an invasive predator triggers morphological but not behavioural plasticity in a threatened species tadpoles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Melotto ◽  
Gentile Francesco Ficetola ◽  
Roberta Pennati ◽  
Nicoletta Ancona ◽  
Raoul Manenti
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Invasive Predators ◽  
Behavioural Tests

AbstractDuring biotic invasions, native communities are abruptly exposed to novel and often severe selective pressures. The lack of common evolutionary history with invasive predators can hamper the expression of effective anti-predator responses in native prey, potentially accelerating population declines. Nonetheless, rapid adaptation and phenotypic plasticity may allow native species to cope with the new ecological pressures. We tested the hypothesis that phenotypic plasticity is fostered when facing invasive species and evaluated whether plasticity offers a pool of variability that might help the fixation of adaptive phenotypes. We assessed behavioural and morphological trait variation in tadpoles of the Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) in response to the invasive crayfish predator, Procambarus clarkii, by rearing tadpoles under different predation-risk regimes: non-lethal crayfish presence and crayfish absence. After two-month rearing, crayfish-exposed tadpoles showed a plastic shift in their body shape and increased tail muscle size, while behavioural tests showed no effect of crayfish exposure on tadpole behaviour. Furthermore, multivariate analyses revealed weak divergence in morphology between invaded and uninvaded populations, while plasticity levels were similar between invaded and uninvaded populations. Even if tadpoles displayed multiple plastic responses to the novel predator, none of these shifts underwent fixation after crayfish arrival (10–15 years). Overall, these findings highlight that native prey can finely tune their responses to invasive predators through plasticity, but the adaptive value of these responses in whitstanding the novel selective pressures, and the long-term consequences they can entail remain to be ascertained.

scholarly journals North American channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus: a neglected but potentially invasive freshwater fish species?

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1563-1576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip J. Haubrock ◽  
Gordon H. Copp ◽  
Iva Johović ◽  
Paride Balzani ◽  
Alberto F. Inghilesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Ictalurus Punctatus ◽  
Channel Catfish ◽  
North American ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
South Italy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
North And South

AbstractThe North American channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus has been introduced to several locations in Europe but has received little or no scientific study despite its invasive attributes, including prolific reproduction, tolerance to a wide range of conditions, opportunistic feeding, at least partial ‘predator release’, and some evidence of environmental impacts (e.g. disease transmission). To assess the species’ potential invasiveness and the likely risks to native species and ecosystems in Europe, available literature from both North America and Europe was reviewed and used to carry out risk screenings of the species for the risk assessment areas, North and South Italy, using the Aquatic Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK), which was followed by a more detailed evaluation (for both North America and Europe) of the species’ potential impacts using the Environmental Impact Classification of Alien Taxa (EICAT) assessment protocol. The AS-ISK score indicated that channel catfish is likely to pose a high risk of being invasive in both North and South Italy, with EICAT scores indicating “Major” impacts for both North America and Europe, at high and medium confidence levels, respectively. The present results emphasise the urgent need to carry out in-depth studies on introduced populations of this species to understand better its invasive potential so as to inform management decisions on the appropriate control or eradication measures for invaded water bodies.

Natural rodent model of viral transmission reveals biological features of virus population dynamics

2021 ◽  
Vol 219 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Fay ◽  
Keir M. Balla ◽  
Shanley N. Roach ◽  
Frances K. Shepherd ◽  
Dira S. Putri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Model System ◽  
Host Factors ◽  
Virus Population ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
New Host ◽  
New Members ◽  
Biological Features

Emerging viruses threaten global health, but few experimental models can characterize the virus and host factors necessary for within- and cross-species transmission. Here, we leverage a model whereby pet store mice or rats—which harbor natural rodent pathogens—are cohoused with laboratory mice. This “dirty” mouse model offers a platform for studying acute transmission of viruses between and within hosts via natural mechanisms. We identified numerous viruses and other microbial species that transmit to cohoused mice, including prospective new members of the Coronaviridae, Astroviridae, Picornaviridae, and Narnaviridae families, and uncovered pathogen interactions that promote or prevent virus transmission. We also evaluated transmission dynamics of murine astroviruses during transmission and spread within a new host. Finally, by cohousing our laboratory mice with the bedding of pet store rats, we identified cross-species transmission of a rat astrovirus. Overall, this model system allows for the analysis of transmission of natural rodent viruses and is a platform to further characterize barriers to zoonosis.

scholarly journals Developing Picornaviruses for Cancer Therapy

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cormac McCarthy ◽  
Nadishka Jayawardena ◽  
Laura N. Burga ◽  
Mihnea Bostina
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Anticancer Activity ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Oncolytic Viruses ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Positive Sense

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) form a group of novel anticancer therapeutic agents which selectively infect and lyse cancer cells. Members of several viral families, including Picornaviridae, have been shown to have anticancer activity. Picornaviruses are small icosahedral non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses infecting a wide range of hosts. They possess several advantages for development for cancer therapy: Their genomes do not integrate into host chromosomes, do not encode oncogenes, and are easily manipulated as cDNA. This review focuses on the picornaviruses investigated for anticancer potential and the mechanisms that underpin this specificity.

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