Search Results (5)

CRESS-DNA encompasses a broad spectrum of viruses documented across diverse organisms such as animals, plants, diatoms, fungi, and marine invertebrates. Despite this prevalence, the full extent of these viruses’ impact on the environment and their respective hosts remains incompletely understood. Furthermore, an increasing number of viruses within this category lack detailed characterization. This investigation focuses on unveiling and characterizing viruses affiliated with the Genomoviridae family identified in liver samples from the bat Molossus molossus. Leveraging viral metagenomics, we identified seven sequences (MmGmV-PA) featuring a circular DNA genome housing two ORFs encoding replication-associated protein (Rep) and capsid protein (Cap). Predictions based on conserved domains typical of the Genomoviridae family were established. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the segregation of these sequences into two clades aligning with the genera Gemycirculavirus (MmGmV-06-PA and MmGmV-07-PA) and Gemykibivirus (MmGmV-01-PA, MmGmV-02-PA, MmGmV-03-PA, MmGmV-05-PA, and MmGmV-09-PA). At the species level, pairwise comparisons based on complete nucleotide sequences indicated the potential existence of three novel species. In summary, our study significantly contributes to an enhanced understanding of the diversity of Genomoviridae within bat samples, shedding light on previously undiscovered viral entities and their potential ecological implications. Full article

Metagenomic analysis of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes from diverse geographical regions of India revealed the presence of several insect viruses of human interest. Most abundant reads found in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were of Phasi Charoen-like virus (PCLV), Choristoneura fumiferana granulovirus (CfGV), Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), and Wenzhou sobemo-like virus 4 (WSLV4), whereas WSLV4 and CfGV constituted the highest percentage of reads in Ae. albopictus viromes. Other reads that were of low percentage included Hubei mosquito virus 2 (HMV2), Porcine astrovirus 4 (PAstV4), and Wild Boar astrovirus (WBAstV). PCLV and CFAV, which were found to be abundant in Ae. aegypti viromes were absent in Ae. albopictus viromes. Among the viromes analyzed, Ae. aegypti sampled from Pune showed the highest percentage (79.82%) of viral reads, while Ae. aegypti mosquitoes sampled from Dibrugarh showed the lowest percentage (3.47%). Shamonda orthobunyavirus (SHAV), African swine fever virus (ASFV), Aroa virus (AROAV), and Ilheus virus (ILHV), having the potential to infect vertebrates, including humans, were also detected in both mosquito species, albeit with low read numbers. Reads of gemykibivirus, avian retrovirus, bacteriophages, herpesviruses, and viruses infecting protozoans, algae, etc., were also detected in the mosquitoes. A high percentage of reads in the Ae. albopictus mosquito samples belonged to unclassified viruses and warrant further investigation. The data generated in the present work may not only lead to studies to explain the influence of these viruses on the replication and transmission of viruses of clinical importance but also to find applications as biocontrol agents against pathogenic viruses. Full article

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is receiving increased attention for the detection of new viruses and infections occurring at the human–animal interface. The ability to actively transport and relocate this technology enables in situ virus identification, which could reduce response time and enhance disease management. In a previous study, we developed a straightforward mNGS procedure that greatly enhances the detection of RNA and DNA viruses in human clinical samples. In this study, we improved the mNGS protocol with transportable battery-driven equipment for the portable, non-targeted detection of RNA and DNA viruses in animals from a large zoological facility, to simulate a field setting for point-of-incidence virus detection. From the resulting metagenomic data, we detected 13 vertebrate viruses from four major virus groups: (+)ssRNA, (+)ssRNA-RT, dsDNA and (+)ssDNA, including avian leukosis virus in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus), enzootic nasal tumour virus in goats (Capra hircus) and several small, circular, Rep-encoding, ssDNA (CRESS DNA) viruses in several mammal species. More significantly, we demonstrate that the mNGS method is able to detect potentially lethal animal viruses, such as elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and the newly described human-associated gemykibivirus 2, a human-to-animal cross-species virus, in a Linnaeus two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) and its enclosure, for the first time. Full article

Circular replicase-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses and other circular DNA agents are increasingly found in various samples and animals. A specific class of these agents—termed bovine meat and milk factors (BMMF)—has been supposed to act as a factor in indirect carcinogenesis in humans. Initial observations attributed the BMMF to European cattle breeds and foodstuffs produced thereof. In the present study, blood and fecal samples from African and Asian cattle were examined. BMMF molecules and genomoviruses were detected in all bovids under study. The majority (79%) of the 29 circular elements could be assigned to BMMF groups 1 and 2, whereas CRESS viruses of the family Genomoviridae accounted for the smaller part (21%). Two genomoviruses belong to the genus Gemykibivirus and one to the genus Gemykrogvirus. The remaining three might be considered as novel species within the genus Gemycircularvirus. The majority of all isolated molecules originated from fecal samples, whereas only three derived from blood. The results from this study expand our knowledge on the diversity and presence of circular DNA in different ruminants that serve for food production in many countries over the world. Full article

Bats provide important ecosystem services as pollinators, seed dispersers, and/or insect controllers, but they have also been found harboring different viruses with zoonotic potential. Virome studies in bats distributed in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America have increased dramatically over the past decade, whereas information on viruses infecting South American species is scarce. We explored the virome of Tadarida brasiliensis, an insectivorous New World bat species inhabiting a maternity colony in Rosario (Argentina), by a metagenomic approach. The analysis of five pooled oral/anal swab samples indicated the presence of 43 different taxonomic viral families infecting a wide range of hosts. By conventional nucleic acid detection techniques and/or bioinformatics approaches, the genomes of two novel viruses were completely covered clustering into the Papillomaviridae (Tadarida brasiliensis papillomavirus type 1, TbraPV1) and Genomoviridae (Tadarida brasiliensis gemykibivirus 1, TbGkyV1) families. TbraPV1 is the first papillomavirus type identified in this host and the prototype of a novel genus. TbGkyV1 is the first genomovirus reported in New World bats and constitutes a new species within the genus Gemykibivirus. Our findings extend the knowledge about oral/anal viromes of a South American bat species and contribute to understand the evolution and genetic diversity of the novel characterized viruses. Full article