Host range, host specificity and hypothesized host shift events among viruses of lower vertebrates

Abstract

The successful replication of a viral agent in a host is a complex process that often leads to a species specificity of the virus and can make interspecies transmission difficult. Despite this difficulty, natural host switch seems to have been frequent among viruses of lower vertebrates, especially fish viruses, since there are several viruses known to be able to infect a wide range of species. In the present review we will focus on well documented reports of broad host range, variations in host specificity, and host shift events hypothesized for viruses within the genera Ranavirus, Novirhabdovirus, Betanodavirus, Isavirus, and some herpesvirus.

Negative effects of low dose atrazine exposure on the development of effective immunity to FV3 in Xenopus laevis

“…As the result of increasing global prevalence of infections of poikilothermic vertebrates by pathogens belonging to the Ranavirus genus (RV, Iridoviridae ) and the alarming spread of RVs such as Frog Virus 3 (FV3) to new hosts, these pathogens are now receiving considerable attention as commercially and ecologically-relevant etiological agents (Bandin and Dopazo, 2011; Chinchar, 2002; Chinchar et al, 2009; Greer et al, 2005; Jancovich et al, 2010). While this recognition has focused scientific attention on amphibian host immunity, it also highlights the growing concerns that other stressors, such as water contamination may increase host susceptibility to disease, thus providing an additional explanation for the emergence of infectious agents such as RVs (Collins and Storfer, 2003).…”

Virus genomes and virus-host interactions in aquaculture animals

“…For example, lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV), has been identified as the causative agent of lymphocystis disease in more than 100 different seawater and freshwater fish species [22,23]. In particular, diverse ranaviruses (genus Ranavirus) have been reported to infect about 70 amphibian species from at least 14 families, more than 100 fish species and dozens of reptiles; hence, some experts believe that ranaviruses infect not only frogs but also numerous different aquatic vertebrates, and are, therefore, promiscuous pathogens of cold-blooded vertebrates [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”

Viral diseases of wild and farmed European eel Anguilla anguilla with particular reference to the Netherlands

“…Host specificity and cell tropism are determined by viral proteins encoded by the larger RNA segment A (M. Sano et al 1992), and the occurrence of natural reassortment has recently been shown (Romero-Brey et al 2009). Interspecies transmission has not yet been demonstrated, but it would explain the wide range of host species (Bandin & Dopazo 2011). Historically, aquabirnavirus isolates were grouped as 1 of the 3 major serotypes, designated Ab, Sp and VR-299 (Macdonald & Gower 1981).…”