Zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV), first isolated in Italy in 1973, described in 1981, and then identified in all continents within a decade, is one of the most economically important viruses of cucurbit crops. It is efficiently aphid-transmitted in a nonpersistent manner and it is also seed-borne in zucchini squash, which could have contributed to its rapid spread worldwide. Biological variability has been observed among ZYMV isolates, concerning host range, symptomatology and aphid transmissibility. More recent studies also revealed a serological and molecular variability. The survival of ZYMV in areas where cucurbits are not grown throughout the year remains to be elucidated, because very few natural over-wintering hosts have been identified so far. Partial control of ZYMV can be achieved by limiting transmission of the virus to the crops by aphids, using adapted cultural practices. Cross-protection with a mild strain has been shown to be effective against most ZYMV isolates. Resistance genes found in cucurbit germplasms are currently being introduced into cultivars with good agronomical characteristics. Pathogen-derived resistance strategies using the expression of ZYMV genes in transgenic plants have also been developed and appear promising. Nevertheless, the high biological variability of ZYMV justifies a careful evaluation of the deployment of genetic control strategies in order to increase their durability.
BackgroundRecently, metagenomic studies have identified viable Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), a plant virus, in the stool of healthy subjects. However, its source and role as pathogen have not been determined.Methods and Findings21 commercialized food products containing peppers, 357 stool samples from 304 adults and 208 stool samples from 137 children were tested for PMMoV using real-time PCR, sequencing, and electron microscopy. Anti-PMMoV IgM antibody testing was concurrently performed. A case-control study tested the association of biological and clinical symptoms with the presence of PMMoV in the stool. Twelve (57%) food products were positive for PMMoV RNA sequencing. Stool samples from twenty-two (7.2%) adults and one child (0.7%) were positive for PMMoV by real-time PCR. Positive cases were significantly more likely to have been sampled in Dermatology Units (p<10−6), to be seropositive for anti-PMMoV IgM antibodies (p = 0.026) and to be patients who exhibited fever, abdominal pains, and pruritus (p = 0.045, 0.038 and 0.046, respectively).ConclusionsOur study identified a local source of PMMoV and linked the presence of PMMoV RNA in stool with a specific immune response and clinical symptoms. Although clinical symptoms may be imputable to another cofactor, including spicy food, our data suggest the possibility of a direct or indirect pathogenic role of plant viruses in humans.
Since 1988, a yellowing disease of melon, cucumber and zucchini squash has been frequently observed in summer and autumn crops in France. Infected plants show yellowing and thickening of the older leaves; symptom intensity differs depending upon cultivar and season, and can be easily overlooked when plants are already infected by mosaic‐inducing viruses or other pathogens. The disease is associated with the presence of a virus with spherical particles c. 25 nm in diameter, which is readily transmitted in a persistent manner by the aphids Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii, but not mechanically. Serological analysis, nucleic‐acid‐hybridization experiments and host‐range studies indicate that the virus is distantly related to, but distinct from, beet western yellows virus (BWYV). We propose to name this virus cucurbit aphid‐borne yellows virus (CABYV), and to consider it as a tentative new member of the luteovirus group. CABYV was found to reduce significantly the yields of melon and cucumber by decreasing the number of fruit per plant but not by altering the fruit shape or quality. Preliminary investigations of the epidemiology of CABYV indicate that the virus is common in weeds and in cultivated cucurbits. CABYV was frequently detected in various regions of France, suggesting that it is one of the most prevalent viruses infecting cucurbits in this country.
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