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

Virology Journal

Hao Wang¹  Ju Zhang²  Xiaochun Wang²  Wen Zhang²  Zijun Yang²  Shixing Yang²  Quan Shen²  Guangming Sun³ 

[1] Department of Clinical Laboratory, Huai’an Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, 223002, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China;Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 212013, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China;Xuzhou Central Hospital, 131 Huanchen Road, 221009, Xuzhou, China;

关键词: Virome of ticks;    Metagenomic analysis;    Dabieshan tick virus;    Tick-borne hepe-like virus;    Liaoning Province;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12985-021-01632-x

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundTicks (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.MethodsUsing 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.ResultsFrom 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.ConclusionOur 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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY