RNA Viral Community in Human Feces: Prevalence of Plant Pathogenic Viruses

Abstract

The human gut is known to be a reservoir of a wide variety of microbes, including viruses. Many RNA viruses are known to be associated with gastroenteritis; however, the enteric RNA viral community present in healthy humans has not been described. Here, we present a comparative metagenomic analysis of the RNA viruses found in three fecal samples from two healthy human individuals. For this study, uncultured viruses were concentrated by tangential flow filtration, and viral RNA was extracted and cloned into shotgun viral cDNA libraries for sequencing analysis. The vast majority of the 36,769 viral sequences obtained were similar to plant pathogenic RNA viruses. The most abundant fecal virus in this study was pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV), which was found in high concentrations—up to 109 virions per gram of dry weight fecal matter. PMMV was also detected in 12 (66.7%) of 18 fecal samples collected from healthy individuals on two continents, indicating that this plant virus is prevalent in the human population. A number of pepper-based foods tested positive for PMMV, suggesting dietary origins for this virus. Intriguingly, the fecal PMMV was infectious to host plants, suggesting that humans might act as a vehicle for the dissemination of certain plant viruses.

Genogroup I picobirnaviruses in pigs: evidence for genetic diversity and relatedness to human strains

“…The extent of sequence heterogeneity within an isolate has not yet been thoroughly studied for PBVs, although reanalysis of sequences from a metagenomic investigation of RNA viruses shed in the faeces revealed a heterogeneous population of PBVs in healthy individuals (data not shown; Zhang et al, 2006). A notable result of our study was the detection of mixed infections by different PBV strains in pigs.…”

“…In spite of the relative insensitivity of this method, PBVs could be identified from faecal specimens of a variety of mammals and birds due to large amounts of virus occasionally shed through the faeces (Browning et al, 1991;Buzinaro et al, 2003;Chasey, 1990;Gallimore et al, 1993;Haga et al, 1999;Ludert et al, 1995;Masachessi et al, 2007;Pereira et al, 1988a;Wang et al, 2007). The development of virus-specific primers for RT-PCR amplification (Rosen et al, 2000) has been a milestone in the laboratory diagnosis of PBVs; however, thus far it has not been determined whether (Zhang et al, 2006). PBVs have also been detected in patients with gastroenteritis.…”

The globalization of intestinal microbiota

“…With an estimated 10 12 prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) residing in the human body, human bodies contain 100 times more prokaryotic cells than human cells [1], with at least 150 times more prokaryotic genes than human genes [1]. The number of viruses present in the human body is also considerable [2]. Not surprisingly, digestive microbiota have been the subject of many recent studies that raise certain questions about their evolution [2,3].…”

“…The number of viruses present in the human body is also considerable [2]. Not surprisingly, digestive microbiota have been the subject of many recent studies that raise certain questions about their evolution [2,3].…”

“…In France, the "figatelli" (i.e., pork liver sausages) are a vector [13]. In addition, the initial work of Forest Rohwer showed that the human digestive tract includes a huge number of plant viruses [2]. Concerning the source of these viruses, we recently found that Tabasco products were contaminated at a very high level with the mild pepper virus.…”