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9 pages, 3377 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

First Report on Detection and Molecular Characterization of Astroviruses in Mongooses

by Jessica L. Kulberg, Anne A. M. J. Becker, Yashpal S. Malik and Souvik Ghosh

Viruses 2024, 16(8), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16081269 - 8 Aug 2024

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Applying a pan-astrovirus (AstV) RT-hemi-nested PCR assay, we report here high detection rates (28.3%, 15/53) of AstVs in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts. Based on deduced amino acid (aa) identities and phylogenetic analysis of long RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequences (~315 aa, partial RdRp), the AstVs detected in the mongooses (designated as Mon-AstVs) were classified into two distinct groups (deduced aa identities of 66.45–67.30% between the groups). The putative RdRps of the Mon-AstVs shared low deduced aa identities with those of AstVs from other host species (<69%, <54%, and <50% identities with reptilian/amphibian AstVs, avastroviruses, and mamastroviruses, respectively). Phylogenetically, the group-I and group-II Mon-AstVs formed two distinct clusters, near the cluster of reptilian/amphibian AstVs, and were distantly related to avastroviruses and mamastroviruses. Since the mongooses were apparently healthy during sampling, we could not establish if the Mon-AstVs infected the animal or were of dietary origin. Although we could not ascertain the true host of the Mon-AstVs, phylogenetic analysis indicated that these viruses might have originated from lower vertebrates. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection and molecular characterization of AstVs in mongooses, highlighting the wide host range and significant genetic diversity within the family Astroviridae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enteric and Respiratory Viruses in Animals and Birds: Volume 5)

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6 pages, 815 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Diversity and Genetic Characteristics of Astroviruses from Animals in Yunnan Province

by Xingyu Huang, Jiuxuan Zhou, Yutong Hou, Rui Wang, Qian Li, Yixuan Wang, Ruiling Yuan, Peng Chen, Binghui Wang and Xueshan Xia

Viruses 2022, 14(10), 2234; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14102234 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

Astroviruses (AstVs) are single-stranded RNA viruses, including two main genera: Mamastroviruses (MAstVs) and Avastroviruses (AAstVs). AstVs have been detected in more than 80 different mammals and birds, with the characteristics of multiple cross-species transmission and gene recombination. All these have accelerated the process of virus mutation and posed a potential threat to human beings and animal husbandry. Yunnan province is a global hotspot with rich biodiversity and abundant animal resources and an important area with significance for public health and security because it neighbors a few Southeast Asian countries. This study collected 860 samples from 13 species of animals in Yunnan province for AstVs detection. The results showed that the positive rate of AstVs was 6.05%, and its extremely high genetic diversity was observed in different animal species. Potential cross-species transmission events were also detected from rodents to birds. Therefore, AstVs, which are widely distributed with highly diverse genes and the risk of cross-species transmission to people, deserve more attention in this region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Viruses)

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20 pages, 5577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Novel Strains of Porcine Astrovirus Type 3 in the USA

by Franco Matias Ferreyra, Karen Harmon, Laura Bradner, Eric Burrough, Rachel Derscheid, Drew R. Magstadt, Alyona Michael, Marcelo Nunes de Almeida, Loni Schumacher, Chris Siepker, Panchan Sitthicharoenchai, Gregory Stevenson and Bailey Arruda

Viruses 2021, 13(9), 1859; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13091859 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3413

Abstract

Porcine astrovirus type 3 (PoAstV3) has been previously identified as a cause of polioencephalomyelitis in swine and continues to cause disease in the US swine industry. Herein, we describe the characterization of both untranslated regions, frameshifting signal, putative genome-linked virus protein (VPg) and conserved antigenic epitopes of several novel PoAstV3 genomes. Twenty complete coding sequences (CDS) were obtained from 32 diagnostic cases originating from 11 individual farms/systems sharing a nucleotide (amino acid) percent identity of 89.74–100% (94.79–100%), 91.9–100% (96.3–100%) and 90.71–100% (93.51–100%) for ORF1a, ORF1ab and ORF2, respectively. Our results indicate that the 5′UTR of PoAstV3 is highly conserved highlighting the importance of this region in translation initiation while their 3′UTR is moderately conserved among strains, presenting alternative configurations including multiple putative protein binding sites and pseudoknots. Moreover, two predicted conserved antigenic epitopes were identified matching the 3′ termini of VP27 of PoAstV3 USA strains. These epitopes may aid in the design and development of vaccine components and diagnostic assays useful to control outbreaks of PoAstV3-associated CNS disease. In conclusion, this is the first analysis predicting the structure of important regulatory motifs of neurotropic mamastroviruses, which differ from those previously described in human astroviruses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Veterinary Infectious Diseases)

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12 pages, 913 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Diversity of Astroviruses Circulating in Humans, Bats, and Wild Birds in Egypt

by Ahmed El Taweel, Ahmed Kandeil, Ahmed Barakat, Omar Alfaroq Rabiee, Ghazi Kayali and Mohamed Ahmed Ali

Viruses 2020, 12(5), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/v12050485 - 26 Apr 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3853

Abstract

Astroviruses belong to Astroviridae family which includes two main genera: Mamastroviruses that infect mammals, and Avastroviruses that infect avian hosts. Bats and wild birds are considered among the natural reservoirs for astroviruses. Infections in humans are associated with severe gastroenteritis, especially among children. We conducted surveillance for astroviruses in bats, wild birds, and humans in Egypt. Our results indicated relatively high prevalence of astroviruses in those hosts. Phylogenetic analysis revealed diversity of these viruses within hosts. Detected human viruses showed similarity with classic and variant human astroviruses, as well as similarity with animal-origin viruses. Viruses in bats were dispersed, with similarities to other bat viruses as well as other mammalian, including human, viruses. Wild bird viruses varied and were related to other avastroviruses, as well as human astroviruses. Our results indicate that astroviruses are common in bats, wild birds, and humans in Egypt, with a wide gene pool. Potential cross-species transmission may be occurring but should be verified by further surveillance and molecular studies. Full article

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