Coronaviruses in the Sea

Mordecai, Gideon; Hewson, Ian

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2020.01795

Cited by 42 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Alignment of the A. californicus flavivirus-like genome fragment against closest matches at NCBI revealed that it was firmly embedded within a clade of insect-specific flaviviruses [51], including flaviviruses recovered from cephalopods [52] and from invertebrate and vertebrate transcriptomes [53] ( Figure 2). Enveloped RNA viruses are notable in marine ecosystems because they are not common constituents of virioplankton and generally experience high decay rates in seawater [54]. Flaviviruses (+ssRNA) represent important pathogens of mammals, including Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis C Virus and Zika Virus.…”

Section: Flavivirus-like Genome Fragmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Unconventional Flavivirus and Other RNA Viruses in the Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) Virome

Hewson

Johnson

Tibbetts

2020

Viruses

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Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) are ecologically significant constituents of benthic marine habitats. We surveilled RNA viruses inhabiting eight species (representing four families) of holothurian collected from four geographically distinct locations by viral metagenomics, including a single specimen of Apostichopus californicus affected by a hitherto undocumented wasting disease. The RNA virome comprised genome fragments of both single-stranded positive sense and double stranded RNA viruses, including those assigned to the Picornavirales, Ghabrivirales, and Amarillovirales. We discovered an unconventional flavivirus genome fragment which was most similar to a shark virus. Ghabivirales-like genome fragments were most similar to fungal totiviruses in both genome architecture and homology and had likely infected mycobiome constituents. Picornavirales, which are commonly retrieved in host-associated viral metagenomes, were similar to invertebrate transcriptome-derived picorna-like viruses. The greatest number of viral genome fragments was recovered from the wasting A. californicus library compared to the asymptomatic A. californicus library. However, reads from the asymptomatic library recruited to nearly all recovered wasting genome fragments, suggesting that they were present but not well represented in the grossly normal specimen. These results expand the known host range of flaviviruses and suggest that fungi and their viruses may play a role in holothurian ecology.

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Section: Flavivirus-like Genome Fragmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Unconventional Flavivirus and Other RNA Viruses in the Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) Virome

Hewson

Johnson

Tibbetts

2020

Viruses

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“…In a manner similar to many animals, these mammals are susceptible to other coronaviruses [90], and therefore there is concern about them being infected with SARS-CoV-2 [91]. With it being known that SARS-CoV-2 can exist in human faeces [92] it has been determined that the virus can survive transiently in wastewater [93] and seawater [94] although it has been disputed that this a significant route of virus transmission in the environment [95]. Although this might not sound too alarming, there is still the potential for marine mammals to be in contact with the virus near sewage outlets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interacting Proteins, Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2

Hancock

Rouse

Stone

et al. 2021

Animals

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COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a world-wide problem for the human population. It is known that some animal species, such as mink, can become infected and transmit the virus. However, the susceptibility of most animals is not known. Here, we review the use of sequence analysis of the proteins which are known to interact with SARS-CoV-2 as a way to estimate an animal’s susceptibility. Although most such work concentrates on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2), here TMPRSS2 (Transmembrane Serine Protease 2), neuropilin-1 and furin are also considered. Polymorphisms, especially ones which are known to alter viral/host interactions are also discussed. Analysis of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein sequences across species suggests this approach may be of some utility in predicting susceptibility; however, this analysis fails to highlight some susceptible animals such as mink. However, combined with observational data which emerges over time about which animals actually become infected, this may, in the future, be a useful tool to assist the management of risks associated with human/animal contact and support conservation and animal welfare measures.

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“…This suggests that some surveillance of species in areas where the wastewater treatment is suboptimal may be important in the future. However, other enveloped RNA viruses have been shown to experience declines in viral titres upon exposure to seawater, implying that the salt content and natural dilution that would occur in seawater would likely minimize the risk of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to aquatic life [ 89 ].…”

Section: Areas For Further Investigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Animals: Reservoirs for Reverse Zoonosis and Models for Study

Prince

Smith

Radford

et al. 2021

Viruses

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The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has brought many questions over the origin of the virus, the threat it poses to animals both in the wild and captivity, and the risks of a permanent viral reservoir developing in animals. Animal experiments have shown that a variety of animals can become infected with the virus. While coronaviruses have been known to infect animals for decades, the true intermediate host of the virus has not been identified, with no cases of SARS-CoV-2 in wild animals. The screening of wild, farmed, and domesticated animals is necessary to help us understand the virus and its origins and prevent future outbreaks of both COVID-19 and other diseases. There is intriguing evidence that farmed mink infections (acquired from humans) have led to infection of other farm workers in turn, with a recent outbreak of a mink variant in humans in Denmark. A thorough examination of the current knowledge and evidence of the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect different animal species is therefore vital to evaluate the threat of animal to human transmission and reverse zoonosis.

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Coronaviruses in the Sea

Cited by 42 publications

References 64 publications

An Unconventional Flavivirus and Other RNA Viruses in the Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) Virome

An Unconventional Flavivirus and Other RNA Viruses in the Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) Virome

Interacting Proteins, Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Animals: Reservoirs for Reverse Zoonosis and Models for Study

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