Virome analysis of ticks in a forest region of Liaoning, China: characterization of a novel hepe-like virus sequence

Abstract

Background Ticks (class Arachnida, subclass Acari) are vectors of transmitting a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms, protozoa, and viruses affecting humans and animals. Liaoning Province is rich in forests where different animals and, abundant Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks exist. Methods Using viral metagenomics, we analyzed the virome in 300 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks collected from June to August 2015 in the forested region of Liaoning Province, China. Results From the 300 ticks, 1,218,388 high-quality reads were generated, of which 5643 (0.463%) reads showed significant sequence identity to known viruses. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that viral sequences showing a close relationship with Dabieshan tick virus, Aleutian mink disease virus, adeno-associated virus, Gokushovirus, avian gyrovirus 2 were present in the virome of these ticks. However, the significance of these viruses to human and animal health requires further investigation. Notably, an hepe-like virus, named tick-borne hepe-like virus sequence, was obtained and was highly prevalent in these ticks with a rate of 50%. Nevertheless, one constraint of our study was the limited geographical distribution of the sampled ticks. Conclusion Our study offers an overview of the virome in ticks from a forest region of Liaoning Province and provides further awareness of the viral diversity of ticks.

Detection of Gyrovirus galga 1 in Cryopreserved Organs from Two Commercial Broiler Flocks in Japan

“…The possibility of a synergistic pathogenic effect between avirulent NDV and GyVg1 requires further investigation. Interestingly, as GyVg1 infection in ticks was reported recently, it may also be possible that the virus spreads among flocks via ticks [ 15 ]. Furthermore, Varela et al reported the detection of GyVg1 in poultry vaccines, indicating the potential role of contaminated vaccines in the spread of GyVg1 [ 22 ].…”

“…In addition, Sauvage et al [ 8 ] identified human gyrovirus, which shares 96% nucleotide identity with GyVg1, from the skin swab of a healthy individual, indicating that GyVg1 might also infect humans. Subsequently, GyVg1 was detected in human blood samples [ 9 , 10 ], human feces [ 11 , 12 ], ferret feces [ 13 ], snakes [ 14 ], ticks [ 15 ], and dogs [ 16 ], suggesting that the virus can infect a broad range of animals.…”

Extensive diversity of RNA viruses in ticks revealed by metagenomics in northeastern China

“…The high-throughput sequencing technology has been widely used to investigate viromes in various species and to diagnose unknown infectious diseases. The tick viromes have been analyzed in several provinces, including Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Hebei, Henan, and Yunnan in China (21)(22)(23)(24)(25), revealing a large number of novel RNA viruses of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. These studies also suggest that the viromes are significantly affected by the tick species and geographical location.…”

Virome of Rhipicephalus ticks by metagenomic analysis in Guangdong, southern China

“…High-throughput sequencing technology has been widely used to investigate viromes in ticks and diagnose unknown infectious diseases. To date, tick viromes have been reported in Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, and Yunnan provinces of China ( Meng et al, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2020 ; Shi et al, 2021 ; Xu et al, 2021 ; Yang et al, 2021 ), revealing different tick viromes, due to tick species and geographical differences. Guangdong province of China is considered as one of the global hotspots of emerging zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases resulting from the specific climate, environment, and biodiversity ( Wang et al, 2008 ; Allen et al, 2017 ), but the viromes in ticks in Guangdong, southern China remain poorly understood.…”