Virome analysis of ticks in a forest region of Liaoning, China: characterization of a novel hepe-like virus sequence

Zijun Yang,Quan Shen,Ju Zhang,Shixing Yang,Hao Wang,Guangming Sun,Wen Zhang,Xiaochun Wang

doi:10.1186/s12985-021-01632-x

Abstract

BackgroundTicks (class Arachnida, subclass Acari) are vectors of transmitting a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms, protozoa, and viruses affecting humans and animals. Liaoning Province is rich in forests where different animals and, abundant Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks exist.MethodsUsing viral metagenomics, we analyzed the virome in 300 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks collected from June to August 2015 in the forested region of Liaoning Province, China.ResultsFrom the 300 ticks, 1,218,388 high-quality reads were generated, of which 5643 (0.463%) reads showed significant sequence identity to known viruses. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that viral sequences showing a close relationship with Dabieshan tick virus, Aleutian mink disease virus, adeno-associated virus, Gokushovirus, avian gyrovirus 2 were present in the virome of these ticks. However, the significance of these viruses to human and animal health requires further investigation. Notably, an hepe-like virus, named tick-borne hepe-like virus sequence, was obtained and was highly prevalent in these ticks with a rate of 50%. Nevertheless, one constraint of our study was the limited geographical distribution of the sampled ticks.ConclusionOur study offers an overview of the virome in ticks from a forest region of Liaoning Province and provides further awareness of the viral diversity of ticks.

Highlights

Ticks are vectors of transmitting a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms, protozoa, and viruses affecting humans and animals
5643 (0.463%) be identified as viral sequences through BLASTx search based on protein sequence identity, showing the percentage of viral reads in total reads was deficient (Fig. 1B)
Gyrovirus sequence We identified a segment that belonged to the family Anelloviridae and named it tick gyrovirus (TKGyV) strain lntk45anec1 (MW334984) (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Ticks (class Arachnida, subclass Acari) are vectors of transmitting a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms, protozoa, and viruses affecting humans and animals. Ticks (class Arachnida, subclass Acari) transmit a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms, protozoa, and viruses and are the second most common vectors of diseases affecting livestock, humans, and companion animals [1, 2]. SFTS (Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome), with a 5.3% national average mortality rate, was reported in 23 provinces of China, with increased numbers yearly from 2010 to 2016 [4]. The incidence of some tick-borne infections and transmissions in recent decades showed an increasing or fluctuating tendency due to various factors, mainly associated with increased tick-exposure, especially with the enlargement of cities, taking the place of forests, and exposing wild hosts to humans and livestock animals [5,6,7].

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