Genetic and Molecular Epidemiological Characterization of a Novel Adenovirus in Antarctic Penguins Collected between 2008 and 2013

Abstract

Antarctica is considered a relatively uncontaminated region with regard to the infectious diseases because of its extreme environment, and isolated geography. For the genetic characterization and molecular epidemiology of the newly found penguin adenovirus in Antarctica, entire genome sequencing and annual survey of penguin adenovirus were conducted. The entire genome sequences of penguin adenoviruses were completed for two Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) and two Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua). The whole genome lengths and G+C content of penguin adenoviruses were found to be 24,630–24,662 bp and 35.5–35.6%, respectively. Notably, the presence of putative sialidase gene was not identified in penguin adenoviruses by Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE-PCR) as well as consensus specific PCR. The penguin adenoviruses were demonstrated to be a new species within the genus Siadenovirus, with a distance of 29.9–39.3% (amino acid, 32.1–47.9%) in DNA polymerase gene, and showed the closest relationship with turkey adenovirus 3 (TAdV-3) in phylogenetic analysis. During the 2008–2013 study period, the penguin adenoviruses were annually detected in 22 of 78 penguins (28.2%), and the molecular epidemiological study of the penguin adenovirus indicates a predominant infection in Chinstrap penguin population (12/30, 40%). Interestingly, the genome of penguin adenovirus could be detected in several internal samples, except the lymph node and brain. In conclusion, an analysis of the entire adenoviral genomes from Antarctic penguins was conducted, and the penguin adenoviruses, containing unique genetic character, were identified as a new species within the genus Siadenovirus. Moreover, it was annually detected in Antarctic penguins, suggesting its circulation within the penguin population.

Viruses associated with Antarctic wildlife: From serology based detection to identification of genomes using high throughput sequencing

“…However, the first adenoviruses from Antarctic animals have only recently been identified among South Polar skua (Skua siadenovirus A) (Park et al, 2012), as well as chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins (Penguin siadenovirus A) (Table 2, Fig. 1) (Lee et al, 2014;Lee et al, 2016). This provides important insight to monitoring penguin health in Antarctica, as adenoviruses have been known to cause severe disease among animals.…”

“…Whole genomes for these adenoviruses were confirmed using HTS approaches and subsequent phylogenetic analyses of the genomic sequences provide support for the classification of the South Polar skua and penguin adenoviruses in the genus Siadenovirus. Despite this classification, penguin adenovirus genomes are unique in that they lack a putative sialidase gene that is characteristic of other genomes in this genus (Lee et al, 2016).…”

Adenoviruses across the animal kingdom: a walk in the zoo

“…The capability of this virus to cross the species barrier is in line with its observed pathogenic characteristics. Further, full genome sequences were reported from South Polar skua , as well as from chinstrap and gentoo penguin AdVs . From siadenoviruses found in Adélie penguin and Humboldt penguin , in budgerigar and great tit, partial sequences of different lengths are available.…”

Sustained RNA virome diversity in Antarctic penguins and their ticks

“…Despite improvements in the molecular tools for virus detection, it is only in recent years that full viral genomes have been characterised [6]. For example, adenoviruses, astroviruses, paramyxoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, polyomaviruses, and papillomavirus have been identified in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica), and Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) [6,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. However, sampling is limited and genomic data sparse, such that we have a fragmented understanding of virus diversity in penguins and in Antarctica in general.…”