A novel pathogenic aviadenovirus from red-bellied parrots ( Poicephalus rufiventris ) unveils deep recombination events among avian host lineages

Abstract

Competing roles of coevolution, selective pressure and recombination are an emerging interest in virus evolution. We report a novel aviadenovirus from captive red-bellied parrots (Poicephalus rufiventris) that uncovers evidence of deep recombination among aviadenoviruses. The sequence identity of the virus was most closely related to Turkey adenovirus D (42% similarity) and other adenoviruses in chickens, turkeys and pigeons. Sequencing and comparative analysis showed that the genome comprised 40,930 nucleotides containing 42 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) 19 of which had strong similarity with genes from other adenovirus species. The new genome unveiled a lineage that likely participated in deep recombination events across the genus Aviadenovirus accounting for an ancient evolutionary relationship. We hypothesize frequent host switch events and recombination among adenovirus progenitors in Galloanserae hosts caused the radiation of extant aviadenoviruses and the newly assembled Poicephalus adenovirus genome points to a potentially broader host range of these viruses among birds.

Extensive diversity and evolution of hepadnaviruses in bats in China

“…Numerous studies have described the cross-species transmission of DNA viruses (Das et al, 2017;Tao et al, 2013;Kerr et al, 2015;Bandín and Dopazo, 2011;Franzo et al, 2017;Sarker et al, 2015;Scagliarini et al, 2013). Although a combination of co-divergence and host switching has been described in primate orthohepadnaviruses (Geoghegan et al, 2017;Rasche et al, 2016;Locarnini et al, 2013;Littlejohn et al, 2016), the exact evolutionary history of hepadnaviruses in their mammalian hosts is uncertain and clearly complex to resolve.…”

Adenoviruses across the animal kingdom: a walk in the zoo

“…The full genome sequence of two psittacine aviadenoviruses (PsAdVs) has been published. Type 1 was found to occur in Senegal parrot, red‐fronted parrot, and red‐breasted parakeet, whereas PsAdV‐4 originated from red‐bellied parrot . Additional aviadenovirus sequences, obtained from Meyer’s parrot, white‐eyed parakeet , four different falcon species (Aplomado falcon, American kestrel, orange‐breasted falcon, Teita falcon), gull, and Humboldt penguin , as well as neotropic cormorant were also published.…”

Psittacid Adenovirus-2 infection in the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogastor): A key threatening process or an example of a host-adapted virus?

“…This is of great concern in that Avian Bornavirus-2 and 4 and Psittacid Herpesvirus-3, pathogens that have had major impacts on avicultural species globally, are known to be present in some Australian avicultural collections [45, 46). Also, new viruses are still being discovered in Australian aviculture collections and the epizootiology of these viruses and means of testing for them are largely unknown [24, 47].…”

“…Adenoviruses also have the potential to impact captive breeding programs of endangered parrots. Adenovirus infections have been described and variably characterised in many species of parrots originating from all of their geographic distributions [20, 21, 22, 23, 24]. They have been associated with a range of lesions, including hepatitis, splenitis, pancreatitis, enteritis, nephritis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia [21, 25, 26, 27].…”

“…It is also possible that given that many species of parrots from multiple geographic origins are commonly housed together, that some species are more likely to be subclinically infected while other species are more prone to infection resulting in disease. Evidence for this was provided in a recent report where it was shown that a novel adenovirus shed by subclinically-infected purple-crowned lorikeets ( Glossopsitta porphyrocephala ) was found to be fatal to in-contact red-bellied parrots ( Poicephalus rufiventris ) [24]. Evidence for widespread subclinical infection of parrots by Psittacid Adenovirus 2 (PsADv-2) in parrots was also demonstrated by a study of avicultural birds in Slovenia [34] where PsAdv-2 DNA was found in cloacal swabs of 10.2% (13/128 birds) birds tested, yet there was no history of adenovirus disease in these collections.…”