Screening for Viral Pathogens in African Simian Bushmeat Seized at A French Airport

Abstract

Illegal bushmeat traffic is an important threat to biodiversity conservation of several endangered species and may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases in humans. The hunting, manipulation and consumption of wildlife-based products, especially those of primate origin, may be a threat to human health; however, few studies have investigated the role of bushmeat trade and consumption as a potential source of human infections to date. In this study, we report the screening of viral pathogens in African simian game seized by French customs at Toulouse Blagnac Airport. Epifluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of virus-like particles in the samples, and further metagenomic sequencing of the DNA and RNA viromes confirmed the presence of sequences related to the Siphoviridae, Myoviridae and Podoviridae bacteriophage families; some of them infecting bacterial hosts that could be potentially pathogenic for humans. To increase the sensitivity of detection, twelve pan-generic PCRs targeting several viral zoonoses were performed, but no positive signal was detected. A large-scale inventory of bacteria, viruses and parasites is urgently needed to globally assess the risk for human health of the trade, manipulation and consumption of wildlife-related bushmeat.

New Isolates of Pandoraviruses: Contribution to the Study of Replication Cycle Steps

“…Metagenomic studies have indicated the presence of a giant virus gene set in all continents (21)(22)(23)(24)(25). Some representatives, such as the mimivirus, appear to be more abundant and ubiquitous, containing hundreds of isolates already reported (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26). Pandoravirus-like sequences were also detected in metagenomic data from environmental samples (22,27,28) as well as from insects, simian bushmeat, and human plasma (23)(24)(25)27).…”

“…Giant virus prospective studies have revealed an outstanding universe of viral diversity (3,4,6,(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Metagenomic studies have indicated the presence of a giant virus gene set in all continents (21)(22)(23)(24)(25). Some representatives, such as the mimivirus, appear to be more abundant and ubiquitous, containing hundreds of isolates already reported (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26).…”

“…Some representatives, such as the mimivirus, appear to be more abundant and ubiquitous, containing hundreds of isolates already reported (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26). Pandoravirus-like sequences were also detected in metagenomic data from environmental samples (22,27,28) as well as from insects, simian bushmeat, and human plasma (23)(24)(25)27). Despite this, the amount of pandoravirus isolates is still limited (4,6,8,(11)(12)(13).…”

Primates on display: Potential disease consequences beyond bushmeat

“…And human immunodeficiency viruses originated from primate bushmeat in West Africa (Ayouba et al, ; Gao et al, ; Hirsch, Olmsted, Murphey‐Corb, Purcell, & Johnson, ; Huet, Cheynier, Meyerhans, Roelants, & Wain‐Hobson, ; Keele et al, ; Plantier et al, ; Van Heuverswyn et al, ; Yamaguchi, Devare, & Brennan, ). In general, markets selling wildlife are particularly prone to facilitating the emergence of zoonotic pathogens (Greatorex et al, ), and this infected primate bushmeat is even being shipped worldwide (Smith et al, ; Temmam et al, ).…”

From Hendra to Wuhan: what has been learned in responding to emerging zoonotic viruses

“…Indeed, this approach has international implications, with risks of exotic zoonotic diseases associated with the huge quantities of illegal bush meat from central and west Africa being imported into Europe and North America. 12 Finally, naming of a new virus is important not only for virologists in the long term but also for effective communication to the general public. In all the major EZV events over the past 25 years, naming of the new virus has not been straightforward and most went through a renaming process (table).…”