Article
Virology
Timothy W. Thoner, Madeline M. Meloy, Jacob M. Long, Julia R. Diller, James C. Slaughter, Kristen M. Ogden
Summary: Reassortment, or genome segment exchange between viruses, is an important mechanism for generating novel virus genotypes and pandemic strains. This study investigates the factors influencing reassortment in reovirus, a segmented RNA virus, and finds that infection multiplicity and transcript abundance play key roles, whereas compartmentalization of replication and superinfection exclusion have minimal impact.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Julia R. Diller, Timothy W. Thoner Jr, Kristen M. Ogden
Summary: Mammalian orthoreoviruses (reoviruses) are classified into four serotypes based on the attachment protein, & sigma;1. While the prototype strains have been well-studied, a comprehensive analysis of all ten reovirus genome segment sequences has not been conducted before. In this study, we analyzed more than 60 complete or nearly complete reovirus genome sequences and defined genotypes for each segment, proposing an updated reovirus genome classification system. Most reoviruses have a limited number of genotypes and genome constellations that remain relatively stable over time or host. However, a small number of reoviruses, including strain Jones, have different segment genotypes compared to others. Future studies focusing on genetically divergent reoviruses may provide new insights into reovirus biology.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Kok Keng Tee, Po Qhuan Chan, Alson Mun-Khin Loh, Sarbhan Singh, Chee How Teo, Thevambiga Iyadorai, Jack Bee Chook, Kim Tien Ng, Yutaka Takebe, Kok Gan Chan, I-Ching Sam, Kenny Voon
Summary: Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV), a bat-borne virus, is associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in humans. Among 632 urban outpatients, 2.2% tested positive for PRV. Symptoms included cough, sore throat, and muscle ache, with minimal fever. Genetic analysis revealed the continuous evolution of PRV through reassortment among human, bat, and non-human primate hosts, emphasizing the importance of monitoring its prevalence and diversity.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Megan R. Hockman, Nathan T. Jacobs, Bernardo A. Mainou, Katia Koelle, Anice C. Lowen
Summary: Segmentation of viral genomes allows for genetic exchange within coinfected cells. In this study, we investigated the reassortment of reoviruses and found that inclusion body morphology did not affect the efficiency of reassortment. Our findings suggest that reassortment is highly efficient in reoviruses.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel F. Ramalho, Ugo M. Diniz, Ludmilla M. S. Aguiar
Summary: The increasing anthropization negatively impacts natural environments and quality of life, potentially altering ecological networks between parasites and their host bats. This can lead to less specialized relationships between parasites and hosts, increasing the likelihood of transmitting pathogens between populations of different bat species.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ryotaro Nouda, Takahiro Kawagishi, Yuta Kanai, Masayuki Shimojima, Masayuki Saijo, Yoshiharu Matsuura, Takeshi Kobayashi
Summary: This study reveals that the p17 protein of the Nelson Bay orthoreovirus (NBV) is not essential for viral replication and acts specifically in bat cells to regulate viral replication by enhancing the cell-cell fusion activity of the FAST protein. Furthermore, the p17 protein from another bat-borne orthoreovirus is also able to enhance viral replication in bat cells. These findings provide valuable insights into the replication machinery of bat-borne viruses in their natural hosts.
Article
Immunology
Beatrice Regnault, Bruno Evrard, Isabelle Plu, Laurent Dacheux, Eric Troadec, Pascal Cozette, Delphine Chretien, Mathilde Duchesne, Jean-Michel Vallat, Anne Jamet, Marianne Leruez, Philippe Perot, Herve Bourhy, Marc Eloit, Danielle Seilhean
Summary: This study reported a fatal case of European bat lyssavirus type 1a infection in a 59-year-old patient who died from encephalitis. The virus was detected in autopsy samples using NGS technology, highlighting the risk of virus transmission from bat exposure, and emphasizing that individuals not vaccinated against rabies should avoid direct interactions with bats.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. McParland, Harriet Alexander, Winifred M. Johnson
Summary: Marine organisms play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by producing and consuming organic matter. Osmolytes are small metabolites that regulate osmolarity and can be released as abundant dissolved substrates. The genetic potential of marine microbes suggests active recycling of osmolytes, which can serve as a significant source of nutrients for diverse microbial groups in the marine ecosystem.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Qicheng Bei, Jingjing Peng, Werner Liesack
Summary: The study elucidated the genetic potential and functional activity of Ignavibacteria in straw-amended paddy soils from Italy, revealing their versatility and adaptation to varying oxygen conditions in the ecosystem.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Liping Guo, Xiaoyu Lu, Xue Liu, Ping Li, Junyu Wu, Fan Xing, Hong Peng, Xiaojun Xiao, Mang Shi, Zhigang Liu, Xiao-Dong Li, Deyin Guo
Summary: This study characterized the diversity and abundance of viruses present in medically important mites, identifying 47 genetically distinct viruses belonging to 17 virus families or supergroups. The most commonly identified viruses were found to be members of Picornavirales, with potential implications for parallel evolution. The comprehensive screening of RNA virome in mites provides significant insights into the diversity and evolution of RNA viruses in these organisms and their potential role in human diseases.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Veronica A. Ferrando, Marcel E. Friedrich, Shrey Gandhi, Alexander Mellmann, Doerthe Masemann, Anmari Christersson, Darisuren Anhlan, Linda Brunotte, Monika Stoll, Timm Harder, Martin Beer, Yvonne Boergeling, Stephan Ludwig
Summary: Influenza A viruses, including the H1N1pdm09 virus, cause recurrent epidemics and occasional pandemics in humans. The reassortment of these viruses in swine and their ability to replicate in human lung tissue suggest a possible zoonotic potential. Reassortment frequently occurs in the PB1, PA, and NA segments, resulting in the generation of reassortants that can reach high titers in swine lung cells.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas Reid, Jordyn Bergsveinson
Summary: Culture-independent and meta-omics sequencing methods have improved our understanding of the microbial dark matter and functional diversity of microorganisms in Earth's environmental microbiome. Post-genomic approaches like metabolomics provide sensitive data to unravel the intricacies of microbial communities in aquatic systems. Integrated post-genomic approaches, specifically metabolomics and metatranscriptomics, are considered the new frontier of environmental microbiology, offering true insight into microbial contributions towards ecosystem functions.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yuttapong Thawornwattana, Ha Thanh Dong, Kornsunee Phiwsaiya, Pakkakul Sangsuriya, Saengchan Senapin, Pakorn Aiewsakun
Summary: Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) is an emerging virus that rapidly spread worldwide over the past 6 years, its origin and epidemiology characteristics are still largely unknown.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Daniel Maximo Correa Alcantara, Gustavo Graciolli, Ronaldo Toma, Camila Silveira Souza
Summary: Individual-based networks play a crucial role in understanding the interactions between bats and their parasites. The variation among individuals can affect the dynamics of parasites. This study found that in the network of lesser bulldog bats and bat flies, male individuals with greater body mass take on important roles, while the importance of females is not related to body mass or forearm length. Additionally, the abundance of a certain parasite species also influences the network structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Paulo Mejia, Gustavo Lima Urbieta, Bruna da Silva Xavier, Isai Jorge de Castro, Jose Julio De Toledo, Gustavo Graciolli, Lucio Andre Viana Dias, William Douglas Carvalho
Summary: This study explores the influence of seasonality and host sex on the relationship between bats and their parasites. It finds that parasite species richness is higher in the wet season, while specialization and modularity are higher in the dry season. Additionally, there are differences in the relationship between female and male hosts. Therefore, these factors should be considered when evaluating bat-parasite interaction networks.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Guopeng Kuang, Jing Zhang, Weihong Yang, Hong Pan, Xi Han, Lifen Yang, Juan Wang, Tian Yang, Zhizhong Song, Yun Feng, Guodong Liang
Summary: This study conducted an investigation on Bartonella bacteria in bat ectoparasites in China, revealing the diversity of Bartonella species and highlighting the potential role of bat ectoparasites in the transmission of these bacteria.
Article
Microbiology
Tian Yang, Weihong Yang, Guopeng Kuang, Hong Pan, Xi Han, Lifen Yang, Juan Wang, Yun Feng
Summary: This study screened 276 bats collected in Yunnan Province, China from 2017 to 2021 and identified 17 positive samples carrying pathogenic spirochetes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two novel Leptospira species within the pathogenic group. Only Rousettus leschenaultii was found to harbor these spirochetes, suggesting it may be a potential natural reservoir in this region. Further studies are needed to fully understand the pathogenesis and transmission dynamics of these pathogens, including investigations on other animals and the surrounding population.