Diversity and Genetic Characteristics of Astroviruses from Animals in Yunnan Province

Viruses. 2022 Oct 12;14(10):2234. doi: 10.3390/v14102234.

Abstract

Astroviruses (AstVs) are single-stranded RNA viruses, including two main genera: Mamastroviruses (MAstVs) and Avastroviruses (AAstVs). AstVs have been detected in more than 80 different mammals and birds, with the characteristics of multiple cross-species transmission and gene recombination. All these have accelerated the process of virus mutation and posed a potential threat to human beings and animal husbandry. Yunnan province is a global hotspot with rich biodiversity and abundant animal resources and an important area with significance for public health and security because it neighbors a few Southeast Asian countries. This study collected 860 samples from 13 species of animals in Yunnan province for AstVs detection. The results showed that the positive rate of AstVs was 6.05%, and its extremely high genetic diversity was observed in different animal species. Potential cross-species transmission events were also detected from rodents to birds. Therefore, AstVs, which are widely distributed with highly diverse genes and the risk of cross-species transmission to people, deserve more attention in this region.

Keywords: Astrovirus; cross-species transmission; genetic diversity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astroviridae Infections*
  • Avastrovirus*
  • Birds
  • China / epidemiology
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • Mamastrovirus*
  • Mammals
  • Phylogeny
  • Rodentia

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant NO. 81860592), Yunnan Key R&D Program (grant NO. 202103AQ100001), Yunnan Major Scientific and Technological Projects (grant NO. 202202AG050013), Yunnan Province Basic Research Program Projects (grant NO. 202101AS070028), and Active Monitoring and Early Warning of Major Terrestrial Wildlife Diseases in Yunnan Province and Construction of Primary Laboratory (grant NO. 2022GF218Y-04).