Next-Generation Sequencing on Insectivorous Bat Guano: An Accurate Tool to Identify Arthropod Viruses of Potential Agricultural Concern

Abstract

Viruses belonging to the Dicistroviridae family have attracted a great deal of attention from scientists owing to their negative impact on agricultural economics, as well as their recent identification as potential aetiological agents of febrile illness in human patients. On the other hand, some Dicistroviruses are also studied for their potential biopesticide properties. To date, Dicistrovirus characterized in African mainland remain scarce. By using High-Throughput Sequencing technology on insectivorous bat faeces (Hipposideros Caffer) sampled in a cave used by humans to collect bat guano (bat manure) as fertilizer in Zimbabwe, we characterized the full-length sequences of three Dicistrovirus belonging to the Cripavirus and Aparavirus genus: Big Sioux River Virus-Like (BSRV-Like), Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), and Aphid Lethal Paralysis Virus (ALPV). Phylogenetic analyses of ORF-1 and ORF-2 genes showed a complex evolutionary history between BSRV and close viruses, as well as for the Aparavirus genus. Herewith, we provide the first evidence of the presence of Dicistrovirus in Zimbabwe and highlight the need to further document the impact of such viruses on crops, as well as in beekeeping activities in Zimbabwe which represent a crucial source of income for Zimbabwean people.

Longitudinal Survey of Coronavirus Circulation and Diversity in Insectivorous Bat Colonies in Zimbabwe

“…Previous studies carried out in Zimbabwe included the characterization of Dicistrovirus, Coronavirus and Paramyxovirus in insectivorous bats (Hipposideros caffer) [33,34]. More than 60 bat species have been recorded in Zimbabwe and in rural areas, and people are in close contact with these animals [35], posing a risk of spillover of bat-associated viruses to humans.…”

Molecular Characterization of Hovenia Dulcis-Associated Virus 1 (HDaV1) and 2 (HDaV2): New Tentative Species within the Order Picornavirales

“…Pairwise identity comparisons of this contig sequence with those of representative Picornavirales members indicated that it shares the highest degree of nucleotide identity (71%) with the Darwin bee virus 6 isolate NT-8 (9123 nts) (MG995696), a yet unclassified Picornavirales member reported infecting honey bees (Apis mellifera) [38]. Additionally, the putative proteins, encoded by ORF 1 and ORF 2, share 65.5% and 70% aa identity with Darwin bee virus polyproteins (AWK77846 and AWK77847), supporting its classification as a new species according to the species demarcation criteria proposed by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) (i.e., protein identity of less than 90% with its closest relatives) [39]. The name Hovenia dulcis-associated virus 1 (HDaV1) is proposed for this virus.…”

Keen relationship between COVID_19 and food supply suggest some animal origin foods as excellent vehicle of SARS-Cov-2

“…SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-Co are among the most notable examples of spillover into humans(Guan et al, 2003). References for arrows: 1 (Bourgarel et al, 2019; Cavanagh and Cavanagh, 2007; Maori et al, 2019; Mcmahon et al, 2018; Moy, 2020; Rizzo et al, 2017) 2: (Miller et al, 2017; Moy, 2020) 3: (Miller et al, 2017; Papineau et al, 2019) 4:(Geisbert et al, 2014; Tao et al, 2020) 5: (Gibbins et al, 2020; Newell et al, 2010; Panon et al, 1988) 6: (Gibbins et al, 2020; Hi, 2020; Katy Askew, 2020)…”