The intriguing phenomenon of cross-kingdom infections of plant and insect viruses to fungi: Can other animal viruses also cross-infect fungi?

Abstract

Fungi are highly widespread and commonly colonize multicellular organisms that live in natural environments. Notably, studies on viruses infecting plant-associated fungi have revealed the interesting phenomenon of the cross-kingdom transmission of viruses and viroids from plants to fungi. This implies that fungi, in addition to absorbing water, nutrients, and other molecules from the host, can acquire intracellular parasites that reside in the host. These findings further suggest that fungi can serve as suitable alternative hosts for certain plant viruses and viroids. Given the frequent coinfection of fungi and viruses in humans/animals, the question of whether fungi can also acquire animal viruses and serve as their hosts is very intriguing. In fact, the transmission of viruses from insects to fungi has been observed. Furthermore, the common release of animal viruses into the extracellular space (viral shedding) could potentially facilitate their acquisition by fungi. Investigations of the cross-infection of animal viruses in fungi may provide new insights into the epidemiology of viral diseases in humans and animals.

The immune modules conserved across the tree of life: Towards a definition of ancestral immunity

“…There is structural similarity between viral proteins dedicated to counter-defence, exemplified by Acb1 of phages and ligT-like phosphodiesterases of poxviruses, which target cGAS second messengers [ 59 – 61 ]. Could certain viruses that infect hosts from different kingdoms encode blockers of ancestral immune modules effective across domains of life [ 62 ]? Surveying ancestral immunity from a pathogen perspective may enable the discovery of novel viral strategies targeting immunity.…”

Hand contamination and hand hygiene knowledge and practices among commercial transport users after the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) scare, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…are known to synergistically interact to increase pathogenicity [93]. Fungi are able to serve as alternative host to viruses, including mammal, insect and plant associated fungi [94], suggesting a potential role in cross-transmission or spillover.…”