Full genetic characterization and epidemiology of a novel amdoparvovirus in striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Abstract

Amdoparvovirus is a newly defined parvoviral genus that contains four species (Carnivore amdoparvovirus 1–4), including the well-known Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV). Amdoparvoviruses cause an immune-associated and often lethal wasting syndrome in Mustelidae and Caninae hosts. In this study, we molecularly investigated amdoparvoviruses detected in 44 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) found dead in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Some of the animals exhibited pathological changes compatible with amdoparvovirus-associated disease. The nearly complete genomic sequence was obtained for seven different strains and our analyses show how this virus, which we named skunk amdoparvovirus (SKAV), should be classified as a separate species within the genus (proposed Carnivore amdoparvovirus 5). We detected co-infections, recombinant genomes, at least three separate viral lineages, and preliminary evidence for geographic segregation of lineages. Furthermore, we proved that similar viruses, only partially characterized in previous studies and labeled as AMDV, circulate in skunks from other distant areas of North America (Ontario and California) and found evidence for spillover events in mink (Neovison vison). Although SKAVs are capable of causing disease in infected animals, a high proportion of sub-clinical infections has been observed, suggesting these animals might act as asymptomatic carriers and pose a threat to wild and captive carnivores. Finally, we highlight the need for more specific diagnostic tests and further molecular investigations to clarify the epidemiology and host- and geographical distributions of amdoparvoviruses in terrestrial carnivores, especially because the whole spectrum of viral diversity in this group is likely still unknown.

EndemicSkunk amdoparvovirusin free‐ranging striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in California

“…Antibodies to ADV have been documented in other marten species (Fournier‐Chambrillon et al, ) and in experimentally infected fishers. SKAV was also found in a mink, suggesting it displays some host promiscuity, as does ADV (Canuti et al, ). Shifts of only a few amino acids in parvoviruses, including ADV, can shift viral tropism (Tijssen, ) in turn allowing transmission to naïve species.…”

“…Further sequencing of the full genome would be helpful. It has been suggested that all published genetic material from amdoparvoviruses in skunks falls within SKAV regardless of whether it was identified initially as ADV (Canuti et al, ). Overall, our data are consistent with SKAV having long been present but undetected in striped skunks in California.…”

“…Prolonged environmental persistence, subclinical shedding and multiple transmission routes (feces, urine, saliva, blood and potentially aerosol) have prevented the elimination of ADV despite widespread eradication efforts (Farid et al, ; Prieto et al, ). Available data on SKAV suggest it may also have environmental persistence, be associated with subclinical shedding and have multiple transmission routes (Canuti et al, ; Nituch, Bowman, Wilson, & Schulte‐Hostedde, ).…”

Ecology and Infection Dynamics of Multi-Host Amdoparvoviral and Protoparvoviral Carnivore Pathogens

“…Currently circulating AMDV strains probably originated in North America, but viruses have been diffused worldwide as a consequence of international animal trading and similar viral strains now circulate on farms and surrounding areas around the world [18,21,22]. Furthermore, other viruses within the genus Amdoparvovirus have recently been discovered that can infect related carnivores, such as skunk amdoparvovirus (SKAV), red panda amdoparvovirus (RpAPV), raccoon dog and fox amdoparvovirus (RFAV), gray fox amdovirus (GFAV) and red fox fecal amdovirus (RFFAV) [23][24][25][26][27]. Because these viruses replicate in macrophages and viral entry is likely mediated by cellular Fc receptors recognizing antibody covered viral particles, cross-species transmission is common [18].…”

1st Workshop of the Canadian Society for Virology

“…Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology led to the identification of four novel Amdoparvoviral species, igniting new studies of molecular pathogenesis and epidemiology [31,32]. Dr. Marta Canuti (Memorial University of Newfoundland) presented studies of AMDV molecular epidemiology in farmed and wild animals in Newfoundland, and contrasted this data with worldwide AMDV phylogeography and evolution.…”