Key result
Metagenomic screening identified four novel picornaviruses in healthy Magellanic penguins in Chile, with approximately 20% of the sampled penguins infected by at least one of these viruses.
Why the study?
Picornaviruses pose a significant burden on poultry, but metagenomics has begun revealing picornaviruses in healthy wild birds, an area that remains vastly undersampled.
Cross-Sectional
The discovery of four novel picornaviruses in healthy Magellanic penguins highlights the vast undersampling of wild birds for viruses.
Supports viral surveillance in near-threatened penguins; extends picornavirus diversity but leaves open pathogenicity and spillover risks.
Members of the Picornaviridae family comprise a significant burden on the poultry industry, causing diseases such as gastroenteritis and hepatitis. However, with the advent of metagenomics, a number of picornaviruses have now been revealed in apparently healthy wild birds. In this study, we identified four novel viruses belonging to the family Picornaviridae in healthy Magellanic penguins, a near threatened species. All samples were subsequently screened by RT-PCR for these new viruses, and approximately 20% of the penguins were infected with at least one of these viruses. The viruses were distantly related to members of the genera Hepatovirus, Tremovirus, Gruhelivirus and Crahelvirus. Further, they had more than 60% amino acid divergence from other picornaviruses, and therefore likely constitute novel genera. Our results demonstrate the vast undersampling of wild birds for viruses, and we expect the discovery of numerous avian viruses that are related to hepatoviruses and tremoviruses in the future.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hayer et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy Magellanic penguins. Novel picornaviruses was evaluated on Detection of novel picornaviruses. Metagenomic screening identified four novel picornaviruses in healthy Magellanic penguins in Chile, with approximately 20% of the sampled penguins infected by at least one of these viruses.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: