VIRUSES OF MARINE MAMMALS AND METAGENOMIC MONITORING OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

The review presents information on epizootic diseases in marine mammals caused by influenzaviruses of genera A and B, morbilliviruses, adeno-, herpes-, calici- and coronoviruses. Virological and serologicaldata about the spectrum of viral infections in marine mammals are given. Describes epizootic events in marine mammalsinduced by influenza A viruses and isolation of strains with antigenic formulas H1N1, H1N3, H3N3, H3N8,H4N5, H4N6, H7N7, H10N7, H13N2, H13N9. It is suggested that the seals may be infected with a wide range ofinfluenza viruses by direct transmission without prior adaptation. It is emphasized that marine pinnipeds can serve asone of the reservoirs of human influenza B virus in nature. Data on the classification of pinniped and cetacean coronavirusesare presented. A variety of pinnipeds herpesviruses and the clinical significance of their morbidity indicatorsin the diagnosis of viral infections of seals are shown. It emphasizes the need for the development of proactivediagnostic tools for the timely detection of new viruses with zoonotic potential that can cause disease outbreaks. Thenegative effects of diseases with unknown etiologies on the population of Caspian seals are noted. The conclusion ismade about the need for metagenomic monitoring of Caspian seal virome in order to establish the role of viralpathogens in their morbidity and regular mortality under conditions of intensive habitat development.