Chikungunya Virus Infects the Heart and Induces Heart-Specific Transcriptional Changes in an Immunodeficient Mouse Model of Infection

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted pathogen in family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. Although CHIKV is well known for its ability to cause debilitating rheumatoid-like arthritis, it has been also been observed to cause cardiovascular symptoms such as arrhythmias. Here, using samples from a previous study, we sequenced RNA from serum, kidney, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle from CHIKV- and mock-infected IFN-αR−/− mice using two sequencing techniques to investigate heart-specific changes in virus mutational profiles and host gene expression. Mutation rates were similar across muscle tissues although heart tissue carried heart-specific CHIKV minority variants, one of which had a coding change in the nsP3 gene and another in the 3′UTR. Importantly, heart-specific transcriptional changes included differential expression of genes critical for ion transport and muscle contraction. These results demonstrate that CHIKV replicates in the hearts of immunodeficient mice and induce heart-specific mutations and host responses with implications for cardiac pathologies.

Ocurrence of rotavirus and picobirnavirus in wild and exotic avian from amazon forest

The present study reports the occurrence of rotavirus A (RVA), rotavirus D (RVD), rotavirus F (RVF), rotavirus G (RVG), and picobirnavirus (PBV) in fecal specimens of wild (n = 22), and exotic birds (n = 1) from different cities of Pará state. These animals were hospitalized at Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Pará, Brazil, in a period from January 2018 to June 2019. The animals exhibited different clinical signs, such as diarrhea, malnutrition, dehydration, and fractures. The results showed 39.1% (9/23) of positivity for RVA by RT-qPCR. Among these, one sample (1/9) for the NSP3 gene of T2 genotype was characterized. About 88.9% (8/9) for the VP7 gene belonging to G1, G3 equine like and G6 genotypes, and 55.5% (5/9) for the VP4 gene of P[2] genotype were obtained. In the current study, approximately 4.5% of the samples (1/23) revealed coinfection for the RVA, RVD and RVF groups. Furthermore, picobirnavirus (PBV) was detected in one of the 23 samples tested, and was classified in the Genogroup I. The findings represent the first report of RVA, RVD, RVF, RVG, and PBV genotypes in wild birds in Brazil, and due to wide distribution it can implies potential impacts of RVs, and PBVs on avian health, and other animals contributing to construction of new knowledge, and care perspectives.

The Algerian Chapter of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Evolutionary, Genetic, and Epidemiological Prospect

To explore the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Algeria, a dataset comprising ninety-five genomes originating from SARS-CoV-2 sampled from Algeria and other countries worldwide, from 24 December 2019, through 4 March 2021, was thoroughly examined. While performing a multi-component analysis regarding the Algerian outbreak, the toolkit of phylogenetic, phylogeographic, haplotype, and genomic analysis were effectively implemented. We estimated the Time to the Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) in reference to the Algerian pandemic and highlighted the multiple introductions of the disease and the missing data depicted in the transmission loop. In addition, we emphasized the significant role played by local and international travels in disease dissemination. Most importantly, we unveiled mutational patterns, the effect of unique mutations on corresponding proteins, and the relatedness regarding the Algerian sequences to other sequences worldwide. Our results revealed individual amino-acid replacements such as the deleterious replacement A23T in the orf3a gene in Algeria_EPI_ISL_418241. Additionally, a connection between Algeria_EPI_ISL_420037 and sequences originating from the USA was observed through a USA characteristic amino-acid replacement T1004I in the nsp3 gene, found in the aforementioned Algerian sequence. Similarly, successful tracing could be established, such as Algeria/G37318-8849/2020|EPI_ISL_766863, which was imported from Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage. Lastly, we assessed the Algerian mitigation measures regarding disease containment using statistical analyses.

Infectious RNA vaccine protects mice against chikungunya virus infection

We describe a novel vaccine platform that can generate protective immunity to chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in C57BL/6J mice after a single immunization by employing an infectious RNA (iRNA), which upon introduction into a host cell launches an infectious attenuated virus. We and others have previously reported that an engineered deletion of 183 nucleotides in the nsP3 gene attenuates chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and reduces in vivo viral replication and viremia after challenge in mice, macaques and man. Here, we demonstrated that in vitro transfection of iRNA carrying the nsP3 deletion generated infectious viruses, and after intramuscular injection, the iRNA induced robust antibody responses in mice. The iRNA was superior at eliciting binding and neutralizing antibody responses as compared to a DNA vaccine encoding the same RNA (iDNA) or a non-propagating RNA replicon (RREP) lacking the capsid encoding gene. Subsequent challenge with a high dose of CHIKV demonstrated that the antibody responses induced by this vaccine candidate protected animals from viremia. The iRNA approach constitutes a novel vaccine platform with the potential to impact the spread of CHIKV. Moreover, we believe that this approach is likely applicable also to other positive-strand viruses.

Surveillance of Human Rotavirus in Wuhan, China (2011–2019): Predominance of G9P[8] and Emergence of G12

Rotaviruses are a major etiologic agent of gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. To learn the shift of genotypes and genetic characteristics of Rotavirus A (RVA) causing diarrhea in children and adults, a hospital-based surveillance of rotavirus was conducted in Wuhan, China from June 2011 through May 2019, and representative virus strains were phylogenetically analyzed. Among a total of 6733 stool specimens collected from both children and adults with acute gastroenteritis, RVA was detected in 25.5% (1125/4409) and 12.3% (285/2324) of specimens, respectively. G9P[8] was the most common genotype (74.5%), followed by G1P[8] (8.7%), G2P[4] (8.4%), and G3P[8] (7.3%), with G9P[8] increasing rapidly during the study period. The predominant genotype shifted from G1P[8] to G9P[8] in 2012–2013 epidemic season. G12P[6] strain RVA/Human-wt/CHN/Z2761/2019/G12P[6] was detected in April 2019 and assigned to G12-P[6]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T2-E1-H1 genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that VP7, VP4, VP6, VP3, NSP1, NSP2, and NSP5 genes of Z2761 clustered closely with those of Korean G12P[6] strain CAU_214, showing high nucleotide identities (98.0–98.8%). The NSP3 gene of Z2761 was closely related to those of G2P[4] and G12P[6] rotaviruses in Asia. All the eleven gene segments of Z2761 kept distance from those of cocirculating G9P[8], G1P[8], and G3P[8] strains detected in Wuhan during this study period. This is the first identification of G12 rotavirus in China. It is deduced that Z2761 is a reassortant having DS-1-like NSP3 gene in the background of G12P[6] rotavirus genetically close to CAU_214.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Rotavirus and Picobirnavirus in Wild Avians from Amazon Forest

ABSTRACTThe present study reports the detection and molecular characterization of rotavirus A (RVA), rotavirus D (RVD), rotavirus F (RVF), rotavirus G (RVG) and picobirnavirus (PBV) in fecal specimens of wild and exotic birds (n = 23) from different cities of Pará state, which were hospitalized at Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Pará, Brazil, between January 2018 to June 2019. The animals exhibited different clinical signs, such as diarrhea, malnutrition, dehydration and fractures. The results showed 39.1% (9/23) of positivity for RVA by RT-qPCR. Among these, one sample (1/9) for the NSP3 gene of T2 genotype was characterized. About 88.9% (8/9) for the VP7 gene belonging to G1, equine-like G3 and G6 genotypes, and 55.5% (5/9) for the VP4 gene of P[2] genotype were obtained. In the current study, approximately 4.5% of the samples (1/23) revealed coinfection for the RVA, RVD and RVF groups. Furthermore, picobirnavirus (PBV) was detected in 1 of the 23 samples tested and was classified in the Genogroup I. The findings represent the first report of the circulation of RVA, RVD, RVF, RVG and PBV genotypes in wild birds in Brazil and suggest the possible interspecies transmission of RVs and PBVs.

Advanced vacuolation indicates propagation of various salmonid alphavirus type 2 isolates in Acholeplasma-infected BF-2 cells

During previous routine inspections of bluegill fry (BF-2) and rainbow trout gonad (RTG-2) cells incubated with organ samples from asymptomatic Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus, brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, a distinctive, reproducible cytopathic effect (CPE) appeared. The striking CPE, involving progressive vacuolation turning into slowly proceeding pyknotic degeneration, was originally attributed exclusively to enhanced growth of Acholeplasma sp. However, at a recent re-examination of re-infected BF-2 cells using electron microscopy (EM), conventional PCR, and quantitative PCR (qPCR), a virus was also detected. Two days post inoculation (dpi), EM revealed characteristic virions inside cytoplasmic vacuoles and next to bacteria outside the cells. The nucleotide sequences of the viral nsP3 gene fragment obtained from supernatants of infected cells were 100% identical and representative for salmonid alphavirus type 2 (SAV 2). The 16S RNA gene (16S rDNA) fragment sequences of the Mollicutes-specific PCR product obtained from SAV-infected as well as virus-free BF-2 control cells were identical with Acholeplasma laidlawii. In addition, qPCR results indicated enhanced propagation of virus and bacteria increasing with vacuolation between 5 and 8 dpi. Advanced vacuolation can be regarded as a CPE of both SAV and A. laidlawii, suggesting a viral impact on the bacterial infection that turns a latent intracellular stage into an apparent degenerative condition.

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Novel Coronavirus Reveals Important Variants in Indian Strains

Recently classified as a pandemic by WHO, novel Corononavirus 2019 has affected almost every corner of the globe causing human deaths in a range of hundred thousands. The virus having its roots in Wuhan (China) has been spread over the world by its own property to change itself accordingly. These changes correspond to its transmission and pathogenicity due to which the concept of social distancing appeared into the picture. In this paper, a few findings from the whole genome sequence analysis of viral genome sequences submitted from India are presented. The data used for analysis comprises 440 collective genome sequences of virus submitted in GenBank, GISAID, and SRA projects, from around the world as well as 28 viral sequences from India. Multiple sequence alignment of all genome sequences was performed and analysed. A novel non-synonymous mutation 4809C>T (S1515F) in NSP3 gene of SARS-CoV2 Indian strains is reported along with other frequent and important changes from around the world: 3037C>T, 14408C>T, and 23403A>G. The novel change was observed in samples collected in the month of March, whereas was found to be absent in samples collected in January with the respective persons’ travel history to China. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the sequences with this change as one separate clade. Mutation was predicted as stabilising change by insilco tool DynaMut. A second patient in the world to our knowledge with multiple (Wuhan and USA) strain contraction was observed in this study. The infected person is among the two early infected patients with travel history to China. Strains sequenced in Iran stood out to have different variants, as most of the reported frequent variants were not observed. The objective of this paper is to highlight the similarities and changes observed in the submitted Indian viral strains. This helps to keep track on the activity, that how virus is changing into a new subtype. Major strains observed were European with the novel change in India and other being emergent clade of Iran. Its important to observe the changes in NSP3 gene, as this gene has been reported with extensive positive selection as well as potential drug target. Extensive Positive Selection Drives the Evolution of Nonstructural Proteins. With the limited number of sequences this was the only frequent novel non-synonymous change observed from Indian strains, thereby making this change vulnerable for investigation in future. This paper has a special focus on tracking of Indian viral sequences submitted in public domain.

Possibility of Gene Rearrangement between Porcine Rotavirus H and Porcine Rotavirus C in Nonstructural Protein 3

Rotavirus species H (RVH) has been detected in pigs, humans and bats. Moreover, porcine RVHs have been recently identified in several swine-producing countries. Despite their zoonotic impact, genome information of RVHs is still limited. This study aimed to establish a tentative complete genome-based genotyping system for RVHs, by appending genomic sequences from 12 porcine RVHs identified in Japan between 2013 and 2015 to those from human and other porcine RVHs reported in previous studies. Phylogenetic analysis of 11 RNA segments indicated that porcine RVHs could be classified into multiple genotypes. Consequently, the genotype classification for RVHs revealed the existence of genotypes 10G, 6P, 6I, 3R, 4C, 7M, 6A, 2N, 4T, 6E, 3H for the genes VP7, VP4, VP6, VP1, VP2, VP3, NSP1, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4 and NSP5, respectively. Surprisingly, two distinctive types in NSP1 and NSP3 genes were identified from among the twelve porcine RVHs. Our data suggest a potentially novel gene rearrangement event between porcine RVH and rotavirus species C in the NSP3 gene. These findings would provide a new insight in understanding for evolution of RV.