Abstract
Gammaherpesvirus reactivation can promote diseases or impair reproduction. Understanding reactivation patterns and associated risks of different stressors is therefore important. Nevertheless, outside the laboratory or captive environment, studies on the effects of stress on gammaherpesvirus reactivation in wild mammals are lacking. Here we used Mustelid gammaherpesvirus 1 (MusGHV-1) infection in European badgers (Meles meles) as a host–pathogen wildlife model to study the effects of a variety of demographic, physiological and environmental stressors on virus shedding in the genital tract. We collected 251 genital swabs from 150 free-ranging individuals across three seasons and screened them for the presence of MusGHV-1 DNA using PCR targeting the DNA polymerase gene. We explored possible links between MusGHV-1 DNA presence and seven variables reflecting stressors, using logistic regression analysis. The results reveal different sets of risk factors between juveniles and adults, likely reflecting primary infection and reactivation. In adults, virus shedding was more likely in badgers in poorer body condition and younger than 5 years or older than 7; while in juveniles, virus shedding is more likely in females and individuals in better body condition. However, living in social groups with more cubs was a risk factor for all badgers. We discuss possible explanations for these risk factors and their links to stress in badgers.
Highlights
Alongside the Alphaherpesvirinae, Betaherpesvirinae and Deltaherpesvirinae, the Gammaherpesvirnae is a subfamily of double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the familyHerpesviridae [1,2] containing four genera, the Macavirus, Rhadinovirus, Lymphocryptovirus and Percavirus
We investigated if risk factors differ between juveniles and adults, given that virus shedding in juveniles is more likely associated with primary infection, whereas in adults it is likely due to reactivation from latency
There was no evidence that the number of adults, or the total number of badgers resident in each social group, affected MusGHV-1 DNA detection rates, except for the number of cubs per social group (Table 2): the prevalence of genital tract MusGHV-1 was significantly higher in badgers living in social groups comprising >30% cubs
Summary
Alongside the Alphaherpesvirinae, Betaherpesvirinae and Deltaherpesvirinae, the Gammaherpesvirnae is a subfamily of double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the familyHerpesviridae [1,2] containing four genera, the Macavirus, Rhadinovirus, Lymphocryptovirus and Percavirus. Most known gammaherpesviruses establish a latent stage in the B lymphocytes, and can be reactivated repeatedly throughout life. Numerous factors are known to trigger reactivation, including stress [3,4], trauma (e.g., surgery: [5]) or primary co-infection with other pathogens [6]. Reactivation is a process of viral lytic infection, which involves virus replication within the host cell, eventually causing the cells to burst and release infectious virions. Reactivation of gammaherpesviruses occurs in plasma cells and epithelial cells of mucosa that function as portals for external contact (e.g., mouth, nose, eyes and genital tract), facilitating transmission [7]. Reactivation is typically asymptomatic or induces only mild disease, but, depending on Biomolecules 2021, 11, 716.
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