Virome of Giant Panda-Infesting Ticks Reveals Novel Bunyaviruses and Other Viruses That Are Genetically Close to Those from Giant Pandas
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Ticks rank only second to mosquitoes as blood-feeding arthropods, capable of spreading pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, and parasites) to hosts during a blood meal. To better understand the relationship between viruses carried by ticks and viruses that have been reported in giant pandas, it is necessary to analyze the viromes of giant panda-parasitic blood-sucking ticks. This study collected 421 ticks on the body surface of giant pandas in Sichuan Province, China. We characterized the extensive genetic diversity of viruses harbored by these ticks and reported frequent communication of viruses between giant pandas and their ticks. While most of the virome discovered here are nonpathogenic viruses from giant pandas and potentially tick-specific viruses, we revealed some possible tick-borne viruses, represented by novel bunyaviruses. This research contributes to the literature because currently there are few studies on the virome of giant panda-infesting ticks.
Source: Microbiology Spectrum
Authors: Rui Ma, Min Zhao, Haoning Wang, Rong Hou, Kailin Qin, Yu Qian, Han Zhang, Yanshan Zhou, Wei Wu, Jiang Gu, Xiaochun Wang, Quan Shen, Songrui Liu, Jiabin Liu, Wenlei Bi, Xiang Yu, Shixing Yang, Feifei Feng, Zusheng Li, Long Zhang, Guanwei Lan, Chao Chen, Fei Xue, Yan Wang, Huang Chong, Yang Hong, Likai Ji, Yuwei Liu, Dunwu Qi, Tongling Shan, Wen Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
Awards: G163130386, G2218572858, G4600143828
OpenAlex ID: W4289638947