Identification of Viruses in Molossus Bats from the Brazilian Amazon: A Descriptive Metagenomic Analysis.

Bats are widely distributed in Brazil, including the Amazon region, and their association with viral pathogens is well-known. This work aimed to evaluate the metavirome in samples of Molossus sp. bats captured in the Brazilian Amazon from 2019 to 2021. Lung samples from 58 bats were divided into 13 pools for RNA isolation and sequencing followed by bioinformatic analysis. The Retroviridae family showed the highest abundance of viral reads. Although no complete genome could be recovered, the Paramyxoviridae and Dicistroviridae families showed the formation of contigs with satisfactory identity and size characteristics for further analysis. One contig of the Paramyxoviridae family was characterized as belonging to the genus Morbillivirus, being grouped most closely phylogenetically to Porcine morbillivirus. The contig related to the Dicistroviridae family was identified within the Cripavirus genus, with 94%, 91%, and 42% amino acid identity with Culex dicistrovirus 2, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Aphid lethal paralysis, respectively. The presence of viruses in bats needs constant updating since the study was able to identify viral sequences related to families or genera still poorly described in the literature in association with bats.

Renal Abnormalities Caused by Canine Distemper Virus Infection in Terminal Patients.

The aim of this study was to analyze the glomerular and tubular alterations in dogs with terminal distemper through light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. Thirteen animals with a molecular diagnosis of distemper and neurological signs were selected. As a control group, 10 clinically healthy animals with no manifestations or signs of disease and with negative tests for Ehrlichia sp., Anaplasma sp., and Babesia sp. were included in this study. Renal tissue was evaluated by light microscopy, topochemistry for DNA/chromatin, and video image analysis to detect the nuclear phenotypes of the renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs), immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that dogs with distemper exhibited anemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and proteinuria. Creatinine in the distemper group was lower compared to the control group (p = 0.0026), but there was no significant difference in relation to urea (p = 0.9876). Although this alteration may be due to the smaller muscle mass observed in animals with distemper, it probably is not of clinical importance. Glomerular and tubular lesions were confirmed by light microscopy in 84.6% of these animals. Additional findings in the animals with distemper included deposition of different classes of immunoglobulins, particularly IgM in 92.3% of the cases, fibrinogen deposition in 69.2% of the cases as assessed by immunofluorescence, alterations in the nuclear phenotypes of the RTEC characterized by condensation of chromatin, loss of DNA and reduction in the nuclear shape, and the presence of subendothelial and mesangial electron-dense deposits. These findings confirm the existence of renal alterations related to terminal distemper.

Paramyxoviruses from neotropical bats suggest a novel genus and nephrotropism.

Paramyxoviruses have a broad host range and geographic distribution, including human pathogens transmitted by bats, such as Nipah and Hendra viruses. In this study, we combined high-throughput sequencing and molecular approaches to investigate the presence of paramyxoviruses in neotropical bats (Microchiroptera suborder) in Brazil. We discovered and characterized three novel paramyxoviruses in the kidney tissues of apparently healthy common vampire bats (D. rotundus) and Seba's short-tailed bats (C. perspicillata), which we tentatively named Kanhgág virus (KANV), Boe virus (BOEV), and Guató virus (GUATV). In this study, we classified these viruses as putative species into the Macrojêvirus genus, a newly proposed genus of the Orthoparamyxovirinae subfamily. Using RT-PCR, we detected these viruses in 20.9% (9 out of 43) of bats tested, and viral RNA was detected exclusively in kidney tissues. Attempts to isolate infectious virus were successful for KANV and GUATV. Our results expand the viral diversity, host range, and geographical distribution of the paramyxoviruses.

The Pathology of Cetacean Morbillivirus Infection and Comorbidities in Guiana Dolphins During an Unusual Mortality Event (Brazil, 2017-2018).

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV; Paramyxoviridae) is the most significant pathogen of cetaceans worldwide. The novel "multi-host" Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis; GD)-CeMV strain is reported in South American waters and infects Guiana dolphins and southern right whales (Eubalaena australis). This study aimed to describe the pathologic findings, GD-CeMV viral antigen distribution and detection by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), and infectious comorbidities in 29 Guiana dolphins that succumbed during an unusual mass-mortality event in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, between November 2017 and March 2018. The main gross findings were lack of ingesta, pulmonary edema, ascites, icterus, hepatic lipidosis, multicentric lymphadenomegaly, as well as pneumonia, polyserositis, and multiorgan vasculitis caused by Halocercus brasiliensis. Microscopically, the primary lesions were bronchointerstitial pneumonia and multicentric lymphoid depletion. The severity and extent of the lesions paralleled the distribution and intensity of morbilliviral antigen. For the first time in cetaceans, morbilliviral antigen was detected in salivary gland, optic nerve, heart, diaphragm, parietal and visceral epithelium of glomeruli, vulva, and thyroid gland. Viral antigen within circulating leukocytes suggested this as a mechanism of dissemination within the host. Comorbidities included disseminated toxoplasmosis, mycosis, ciliated protozoosis, and bacterial disease including brucellosis. These results provide strong evidence for GD-CeMV as the main cause of this unusual mass-mortality event.

Guiana Dolphin Unusual Mortality Event and Link to Cetacean Morbillivirus, Brazil.

During November-December 2017, a mass die-off of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) began in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Molecular and pathologic investigations on 20 animals indicated that cetacean morbillivirus played a major role. Our findings increase the knowledge on health and disease aspects of this endangered species.

Parainfluenza virus as a cause of acute respiratory infection in hospitalized childrens

Background: Human parainfluenza viruses account for a significant proportion of lower respiratory tract infections in children.Objective: To assess the prevalence of Human parainfluenza viruses as a cause of acute respiratory infection and to compare clinical data for this infection against those of the human respiratory syncytial virus.Methods: A prospective study in children younger than five years with acute respiratory infection was conducted. Detection of respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal aspirate samples was performed using the indirect immunofluorescence reaction. Length of hospital stay, age, clinical history and physical exam, clinical diagnoses, and evolution (admission to Intensive Care Unit or general ward, discharge or death) were assessed. Past personal (premature birth and cardiopathy) as well as family (smoking and atopy) medical factors were also assessed.Results: A total of 585 patients were included with a median age of 7.9 months and median hospital stay of six days. No difference between the HRSV+ and HPIV+ groups was found in terms of age, gender or length of hospital stay. The HRSV+ group had more fever and cough. Need for admission to the Intensive Care Unit was similar for both groups but more deaths were recorded in the HPIV+ group. The occurrence of parainfluenza peaked during the autumn in the first two years of the study.Conclusion: Parainfluenza was responsible for significant morbidity, proving to be the second-most prevalent viral agent in this population after respiratory syncytial virus. No difference in clinical presentation was found between the two groups, but mortality was higher in the HPIV+ group.

Parainfluenza virus as a cause of acute respiratory infection in hospitalized children.

BACKGROUND: Human parainfluenza viruses account for a significant proportion of lower respiratory tract infections in children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of Human parainfluenza viruses as a cause of acute respiratory infection and to compare clinical data for this infection against those of the human respiratory syncytial virus. METHODS: A prospective study in children younger than five years with acute respiratory infection was conducted. Detection of respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal aspirate samples was performed using the indirect immunofluorescence reaction. Length of hospital stay, age, clinical history and physical exam, clinical diagnoses, and evolution (admission to Intensive Care Unit or general ward, discharge or death) were assessed. Past personal (premature birth and cardiopathy) as well as family (smoking and atopy) medical factors were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 585 patients were included with a median age of 7.9 months and median hospital stay of six days. No difference between the HRSV+ and HPIV+ groups was found in terms of age, gender or length of hospital stay. The HRSV+ group had more fever and cough. Need for admission to the Intensive Care Unit was similar for both groups but more deaths were recorded in the HPIV+ group. The occurrence of parainfluenza peaked during the autumn in the first two years of the study. CONCLUSION: Parainfluenza was responsible for significant morbidity, proving to be the second-most prevalent viral agent in this population after respiratory syncytial virus. No difference in clinical presentation was found between the two groups, but mortality was higher in the HPIV+ group.

Morbillivirus de los Delfines: Patógeno re-emergente en la población de cetáceos / Dolphin Morbillivirus: Re-emerging pathogen in cetacean population / Morbillivirus dos Golfinhos: Patógeno re-emergentes em populares de cetáceos

El morbillivirus de los Delfines (DMV) es uno de los agentes más patógenos de los cetáceos; descrito por primera vez a finales de los años 80, y desde entonces ha venido causando brotes que afectan no sólo a las poblaciones de delfines sino también a las de otros cetáceos tanto en las costas de los EEUU como del mediterráneo. En la presente revisión se realizó una búsqueda de literatura científica en MedLine, SciELO, Scopus® y Google Scholar sin límite de fecha, usando descriptores tales como Cetacean morbillivirus, Pilot Whale morbillivirus, Dolphin morbilivirus, strandings, con el objetivo de presentar una actualización crítica sobre los aspectos básicos, clínicos y epidemiológicos de una de las infecciones emergentes más importantes para la fauna cetácea mundial, haciendo especial énfasis en las alternativas actuales para su diagnóstico y control. Con base en la información recopilada se concluye que hace falta no solo estudiar y cuantificar los varamientos, sino desarrollar conciencia sobre la importancia de la infección en los cetáceos y poner en marcha de planes efectivos de control que permitan mantener estas poblaciones en equilibrio biológico.

Dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) is one of the most important pathogen of cetaceans. It was first described in the late 80s, since has been causing outbreaks that affects dolphin populations and also in other cetaceans in the U.S. and in the Mediterranean sea. We conducted a bibliographic search in MedLine, SciELO, Scopus® and Google Scholar without timeline limits using MeSH terms such as Cetacean morbillivirus, Pilot Whale morbillivirus, Dolphin morbillivirus, Strandings, etc., with the aim of provide a critical update on basic, clinical and epidemiological aspects of one of the most important emerging infections for cetacean wildlife, with particular emphasis on the current alternatives for diagnosis and control. Based on the information gathered we concluded that there is not only a need to study and quantify the strandings, but we need to develop awareness of the importance of this viral infection in cetaceans and to apply effective management plans that maintain those populations in biological balance.

O morbillivirus dos Golfinhos (DMV) é um dos mais importantes agentes patógenos dos cetáceos; foi descrita pela primeira vez no final dos anos 80, e desde entáo tem provocado surtos que afetam tanto as populac.5es de golfinhos quanto as de outros cetáceos nas duas regioes litorais dos EUA mesmo que no mediterráneo. Nesta revisáo, a pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada no Medline, Scielo, Scopus e Google Scholar®, usando descritores como Cetacean morbillivirus , Pilot Whale morbillivirus, Dolphin morbilivirus, strandings, objetivando apresentar uma atualizacáo crítica e básica dos aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos das infectes emergentes mais importantes para a vida dos cetáceos no mundo, fazendo especial énfase nas atuais alternativas de diagnostico y controle. Concluísse, na base destas informacoes que além de estudar e quantificar os animais encalhados deve se desenvolver a consciéncia da importáncia da infeccáo em cetáceos e implementar planos de gestáo eficazes que mantenham as populacoes em equilibrio biológico.

Caracterización biológica de tres aislamientos naturales del Rubulavirus porcino (México)

Biological characterization of three natural isolates of the porcine rubulavirus (Mexico). Porcine rubulavirus (PoRV) produces a neurological and reproductive syndrome in pigs called the blue-eye disease, known only from Mexico. Several isolates were grouped by the main symptoms presented during outbreaks: a) neurotropic in piglets, b) broadly neurotropic in piglets and gonadotropic in adults, and c) gonadotropic in adults. We studied some biological properties of three strains, which fall in one of each virus group: La Piedad Michoacán (LPM) and Producción Animal Cerdos 1 (PAC1) and 3 (PAC3), respectively. The analyzed viral properties are mainly related with the trans-membrane hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) proteins, such as cytopathic effect, hemolysis, hemagglutinating (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) activities. In the infection assays PAC1 strain presented the highest fusogenicity level; however, the most cytolytic strain was PAC3. In addition, HA and NA activities and viral genome of PAC3 strain was detected in supernatants during cell infection earlier than in the other two strains, which shows that PAC3 virions release from the host cell earlier than LPM and PAC1. Experimental determination in purified viruses shows that PAC3 presented a higher HA and NA activities; however, PAC1 shows other interesting properties, such as a high thermostability of HN and differences about substrate profile respect to LPM and PAC3. Our data suggest that NA activity is associated with the virulence of RVP. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (2): 487-499. Epub 2008 June 30.

El Rubulavirus porcino causa un síndrome neurológico y reproductivo en cerdos, hasta ahora reportado sólo en México. Los virus aislados se agrupan de acuerdo con los síntomas principales observados durante los brotes en: a) neutrópicos en lechones, b) neurotrópicos en lechones/gonadotrópicos en adultos y c) gonadotrópicos en adultos. En este trabajo se estudiaron tres cepas: La Piedad Michoacán (LPM) y Producción Animal "Cerdos" 1 (PAC1) y 3 (PAC3), ubicadas respectivamente en cada grupo. Las propiedades estudiadas se relacionan principalmente con dos proteínas de la envoltura viral, la hemaglutinina-neuraminidasa (HN) y la proteína de fusión (F). Se cuantificaron el efecto citopático y las actividades de hemólisis, hemaglutinación (HA) y neuraminidasa (NA). En cultivo celular la cepa PAC1 presentó una mayor actividad fusogénica, sin embargo PAC3 presentó la mayor actividad citolítica. La cepa PAC3 fue la primera en ser detectada en sobrenadante de células infectadas (HA, NA y genoma), lo que muestra que sus viriones son liberados al medio antes que las otras dos cepas. PAC3 tuvo las actividades más altas de HA y NA, sin embargo, PAC1 presentó una mayor termoestabilidad en estas actividades de HN y un perfil de substrato algo distinto de los observados para LPM y PAC3. Estos datos sugieren que la actividad de NA está relacionada con la virulencia del RVP.