Novel parvovirus from the worm lizard Trogonophis wiegmanni — First virus ever detected in amphisbaenian hosts

Abstract

To explore the diversity of some DNA viruses in reptiles, a continuous screening is going on, in our laboratory, by PCR using different consensus primers designed for the detection of the most conserved genome regions of adeno-, herpes-and parvoviruses. The test material consists essentially of dead specimens collected randomly from private pet owners, local pet shops, or at occasional exotic pet fairs. Here we report the partial sequence of a putative novel parvovirus obtained from a dead checkerboard worm lizard (Trogonophis wiegmanni) that had been wild-caught in its native habitat. An in-house-developed PCR with consensus primers targeting the gene of the parvoviral capsid protein was used. Other PCRs, intended to detect certain large DNA viruses, remained negative. The sequence of the PCR product indicated the presence of a hitherto unknown parvovirus in the internal organs of the checkerboard worm lizard. In phylogeny reconstruction, the novel sequence clustered with the members of the Dependovirus genus of the Parvoririnae subfamily, closest to the branch of snake adenoassociated virus. Since we could not demonstrate the presence of a potential helper virus, the putative amphisbaenian parvovirus supposedly can replicate autonomously. This is the first virus infection ever detected in any members of the suborder Amphisbaenia, and only the third parvoviral sequence obtained from any reptilian host.

Evolution of dependoparvoviruses across geological timescales—implications for design of AAV-based gene therapy vectors

“…The Dependoparvovirus genus is hypothesized to have a common avian–reptilian (Diapsida) origin, based on both the possibility of autonomous replication in waterfowl and squamate reptiles, as well as via phylogenetic inference ( Farkas et al. 2004 ; Pénzes and Benkő 2014 ; Pénzes et al. 2015 ).…”

“…The Parvovirinae subfamily includes members of the Dependoparvovirus genus, of which the vast majority require co-infection with a helper DNA virus to render the cell permissive for replication. Host-species infected by dependoparvoviruses represent a remarkably broad range encompassing all major amniote vertebrate lineages from squamate reptiles to primates ( Pénzes and Benkő 2014 ; Pénzes et al. 2015 ; Lau et al.…”

Meta-Transcriptomic Discovery of a Divergent Circovirus and a Chaphamaparvovirus in Captive Reptiles with Proliferative Respiratory Syndrome

“…Reptile parvoviruses were identified in several snake species (snake adeno-associated virus) [ 11 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ] and some lizard species including bearded dragons [ 11 , 12 ]. To date, most of the exogenous reptilian parvoviruses identified belong to the genus Dependoparvovirus , and it has been thought that these viruses require helper viruses (usually adenoviruses) for replication [ 13 ], although more recent work is challenging this notion [ 58 ]. Chaphamaparvoviruses (ChPVs) are a newly identified genus of parvoviruses [ 59 ] identified in rodents, birds, pigs, bats, Tasmanian devils, dogs, cats, primates, and even invertebrates [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 60 ].…”

Random Sampling of Squamate Reptiles in Spanish Natural Reserves Reveals the Presence of Novel Adenoviruses in Lacertids (Family Lacertidae) and Worm Lizards (Amphisbaenia)

“…However, for their ultimate confirmation, acquisition of the sequences of additional genes or, preferably, of the entire genome would be indispensable. Our first attempts were fruitful with the AmAdV-1, which is not only the very first AdV ever detected in an amphisbaenian host, but only the second virus, after a parvovirus, found in any member of this cryptic, yet ecologically and evolutionally important group of squamates [ 48 ].…”