Kevin P. Mulder, Frank Pasmans, Filip van Nieuwerburgh, Naomi Terriere, Moira Kelly, Seline Bregman, Elin Verbrugghe, An Martel
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) declines in western Europe have been associated with the emergence of Hedgehog diphtheric disease (HDD), with a probable multifactorial, yet unidentified etiology. We used metagenomic sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in hedgehog blood to identify possible causes of HDD. We detected a novel circovirus species in the European hedgehog, providing the first record of a circovirus within the mammalian order Eulipotyphla. The novel circovirus genome exhibits the characteristic circovirus structure, including a functional replicase (REP) and capsid (CAP) gene. Phylogenetic analysis placed all four detected genomes in a monophyletic clade, most closely related to sequences isolated from dogs. Subsequent PCR-based screening of 188 hedgehog liver samples demonstrated a high prevalence (61%) of this circovirus in hedgehogs brought to wildlife rescue centers, however, without any significant association with HDD. Since circoviruses are well known to interfere with host immunity across mammalian and avian taxa, the high level of circovirus detection in hedgehogs warrants further research into the role of this novel virus in hedgehog health.
期刊介绍:
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases brings together in one place the latest research on infectious diseases considered to hold the greatest economic threat to animals and humans worldwide. The journal provides a venue for global research on their diagnosis, prevention and management, and for papers on public health, pathogenesis, epidemiology, statistical modeling, diagnostics, biosecurity issues, genomics, vaccine development and rapid communication of new outbreaks. Papers should include timely research approaches using state-of-the-art technologies. The editors encourage papers adopting a science-based approach on socio-economic and environmental factors influencing the management of the bio-security threat posed by these diseases, including risk analysis and disease spread modeling. Preference will be given to communications focusing on novel science-based approaches to controlling transboundary and emerging diseases. The following topics are generally considered out-of-scope, but decisions are made on a case-by-case basis (for example, studies on cryptic wildlife populations, and those on potential species extinctions):
Pathogen discovery: a common pathogen newly recognised in a specific country, or a new pathogen or genetic sequence for which there is little context about — or insights regarding — its emergence or spread.
Prevalence estimation surveys and risk factor studies based on survey (rather than longitudinal) methodology, except when such studies are unique. Surveys of knowledge, attitudes and practices are within scope.
Diagnostic test development if not accompanied by robust sensitivity and specificity estimation from field studies.
Studies focused only on laboratory methods in which relevance to disease emergence and spread is not obvious or can not be inferred (“pure research” type studies).
Narrative literature reviews which do not generate new knowledge. Systematic and scoping reviews, and meta-analyses are within scope.