Spread Of Virus Research Articles

How does Agricultural Expansion Affect Nipah Virus Ecology?

In locations experiencing rapid agricultural expansion, the Nipah virus is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that brings about a serious threat to public health. This study looks at the effects that agricultural expansion has on the ecology of the Nipah virus. The study examines the consequences of habitat loss on fruit bat populations, the natural reservoir hosts for the Nipah virus, and how these changes influence bat foraging behaviour and interaction rates with other living organisms. Through reviews of outbreak data, the research identifies a link between agricultural activities and the increased risk of Nipah virus spillover into populations. The findings suggest that the expansion of agriculture disturbs the natural habitats of bats, forcing them to forage near humans and livestock which encourages the virus's spread. The results emphasize the importance of strategies for agricultural biosecurity, wildlife conservation, and land-use planning in order to minimize the potential for Nipah virus outbreaks.

Effect of Infectious Disease Risk Management on Indoor Environmental Quality in Lecture Rooms: Current Performance and Future Considerations

The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant and accelerated developments in ventilation practises, where the need to ventilate buildings has been put centre stage. Longer-term ventilation approaches are now more likely to utilise hybrid ventilation strategies to address the challenge of ensuring resilient indoor thermal environments that are carbon neutral while also minimising the risk of long-range airborne infectious spread of viral pathogens. In the short term, there are many existing buildings which may not undergo retrofit for some time, and consequently, risk mitigation strategies have been implemented in these buildings by utilising existing systems. This paper will present an indoor environmental quality evaluation of ten university lecture rooms both before, during and after changes in ventilation management behaviour and systems that were accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate a mean reduction in internal carbon dioxide levels of between 46% and 67% when pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 datasets are compared and between 11% and 62% when pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 datasets are compared. Changes in behaviour and systems have reduced the time spent above thresholds conducive to virus growth by between 8% and 54%, depending on the lecture room. Despite this, a “rebound” can be observed in many rooms, with CO2 levels appearing to be trending toward pre-pandemic levels. This work indicates the effect of behavioural and system changes on ventilation and the potential risk for virus spread. The results indicate a need to retrofit existing lecture rooms with more advanced natural or mechanical systems to ensure consistent indoor environmental quality.

Electrolyzed Saline Prevents Virus Transmission in Dental Procedures: An In Vitro Study.

In dentistry, disinfection with antimicrobials is employed under different conditions and at different time points. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of disinfectant dental sprays was proposed, among other measures, to help prevent the transmission of infections during dental procedures that require highly effective antiseptics at particularly short contact times. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electrolyzed saline (EOS) compared with other antiseptics in terms of the spread of enveloped and nonenveloped viruses by ultrasonic scaler (USS)-generated dental spray. Suspension tests were performed to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of EOS against herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and human adenovirus (HAdV), which served as models for enveloped and nonenveloped viruses, respectively. EOS, mostly composed of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), reduced the amount of both virus types in the presence or absence of artificial saliva by > 4 log10 50% tissue culture infectious dose (P < 0.001). In addition, the mechanism of virucidal effect was investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Following this assessment, a virus-laden dental spray transmission model was used to simulate virus-infected patients undergoing dental procedures with USS. Attenuation was achieved by substituting the USS coolant with one of the effective, pretested antiseptics. Due to safety concerns, nonhuman viral pathogens-equine arteritis virus (EAV) and feline calicivirus (FCV)-served as enveloped and nonenveloped virus models, respectively. Viral infection was evaluated by direct droplet/aerosol infection of RK-13 or CRFK cells. In addition, the biocompatibility of the antiseptics was tested with exposure to human oral keratinocytes. EOS demonstrated strong virucidal activity against both enveloped and nonenveloped viruses and was able to absolutely prevent airborne transmission of EAV and FCV through dental spray in the splatter and droplet/aerosol samples. The study emphasized that EOS, a chlorine-based antiseptic, is a promising, reasonably safe, broad-spectrum agent for preventing dental spray-mediated viral transmission.

Data mining redefines the timeline and geographic spread of cotton leafroll dwarf virus.

Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), a threat to the cotton industry, was first reported in the United States (US) as an emergent pathogen in 2017. Phylogenetic analysis supports the hypothesis that US CLRDV strains are genetically distinct from strains in South America and elsewhere, which is not consistent with the hypothesis that the virus is newly introduced into the country. Using database mining, we evaluated the timeline and geographic distribution of CLRDV in the country. We uncovered evidence that shows CLRDV had been in the US for over a decade before its official first report. CLRDV sequences were detected in datasets derived from Mississippi in 2006, Louisiana in 2015, and California in 2018. Additionally, through field surveys of upland cotton in 2023, we confirmed that CLRDV is present in California, which had no prior reports of the virus. Viral sequences from these old and new datasets exhibited high nucleotide identities (>98%) with recently characterized US isolates, and phylogenetic analyses with their homologs placed these sequences within a US-specific clade, further supporting the earlier presence of CLRDV in the country. Moreover, potential new hosts, including another fiber crop, flax, were determined through data mining. Retrospective analysis suggests CLRDV has been present in the US since at least 2006 (Mississippi). Our findings challenge the current understanding of the arrival and spread of CLRDV in the US, highlight the power of data mining for virus discovery, and underscore the need for further investigation into CLRDV's impact on US cotton.

Identification of Viral Diseases and Influences on Yield and Quality of Angelica sinensis

Angelica sinensis is a perennial herbaceous species mainly cultivated in the Gansu, Yunnan, and Qinghai provinces of China, and its dried roots have been widely used for nourishing blood and harmonizing vital energy, largely relying on its bioactive compounds (e.g., alkylphthalides, polysaccharides, and flavonoids). In recent years, viral diseases have been suspected to be present in A. sinensis in field cultivation. In order to reveal the infection status and causes, a survey and the identification of viral diseases and their influence on the yield and quality of A. sinensis were conducted in four different counties of Gansu province. The results showed viral disease rates of ca. 21% to 37% for potato virus Y (PVY) and tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), as well as ca. 2.8- to 8.9-fold decreases in root yield on a unit-area basis; meanwhile, the contents of the main bioactive compounds (i.e., ferulic acid, ligustilide, and polysaccharides) were significantly lower in the virus-infected plants (VIPs) compared with the virus-free plants (VFPs); there were significant positive relationships of the viral disease rate with planting density and expression levels of the PVY-coat protein (CP) and ToMV-CP genes (p &lt; 0.01). The above-mentioned observations indicate that it is necessary and urgent to take measures (e.g., controlling plant density, rational rotation, and using virus-free seedlings) to prevent the spread of plant viruses.

Wolbachia strain wMelM disrupts egg retention by Aedes aegypti females prevented from ovipositing.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are well adapted to dry climates and can retain their eggs for extended periods in the absence of suitable habitat. Wolbachia strains transferred from other insects to mosquitoes can be released to combat dengue transmission by blocking virus replication and spreading through populations, but host fitness costs imposed by Wolbachia, particularly under some environments, can impede spread. We, therefore, assessed the impact of two Wolbachia strains being released for dengue control (wAlbB and wMelM) on fecundity and egg viability following extended egg retention (up to 24 days) under laboratory conditions. Egg viability following retention decreased to a greater extent in females carrying wMelM compared to uninfected or wAlbB females. Fertility fully recovered in uninfected females following a second blood meal after laying retained eggs, while wMelM females experienced only partial recovery. Effects of wMelM on egg retention were similar regardless of whether females were crossed to uninfected or wMelM males, suggesting that fitness costs were triggered by Wolbachia presence in females. The fecundity and hatch proportions of eggs of wMelM females declined with age, regardless of whether females used stored sperm or were recently inseminated. Costs of some Wolbachia strains during egg retention may affect the invasion and persistence of Wolbachia in release sites where larval habitats are scarce and/or intermittent.IMPORTANCEWolbachia mosquito releases are expanding around the world with substantial impacts on dengue transmission. Releases have succeeded in many locations, but the establishment of Wolbachia has been challenging in some environments, and the factors contributing to this outcome remain unresolved. Here, we explore the effects of Wolbachia on a novel trait, egg retention, which is likely to be important for the persistence of mosquito populations in locations with intermittent rainfall. We find substantial impacts of the Wolbachia strain wMelM on the quality of retained eggs but not the wAlbB strain. This cost is driven by the Wolbachia infection status of the female and can partially recover following a second blood meal. The results of our study may help to explain the difficulty in establishing Wolbachia strains at some field release sites and emphasize the need to characterize Wolbachia phenotypes across a variety of traits and strains.

A viral protein activates the MAPK pathway to promote viral infection by downregulating callose deposition in plants

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are evolutionarily conserved in both plants and animals and play critical roles in activating innate immunity to defend against various pathogens. However, the role of MAPK cascades in positively regulating or enhancing viral infections in plants is unclear. In this study, we investigate the involvement of MAPK cascades in infection by the positive-strand RNA virus tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV). Our findings reveal that ToCV infection activates MAPK cascades, promoting virus spread within plants. Specifically, ToCV P7, a pathogenicity determinant protein, localizes to the plasma membrane and recruits NbMPK3/6 from the nucleus. Subsequently, P7 is directly phosphorylated on serine 59 by NbMPK3/6. Phosphorylated P7 interacts with NbREM1.1 and inhibits its ability to induce callose deposition at plasmodesmata. These results demonstrate that NbMPK3/6 directly phosphorylate ToCV P7, modulating antiviral defence mechanisms by downregulating callose deposition at plasmodesmata and thereby enhancing ToCV transmission in N. benthamiana. This study sheds light on the intricate arms race between host defence and viral counter-defence strategies.

Navigated range expansion promotes migratory culling

Motile organisms can expand into new territories and increase their fitness, while nonmotile viruses usually depend on host migration to spread across long distances. In general, faster host motility facilitates virus transmission. However, recent ecological studies have also shown that animal host migration can reduce viral prevalence by removing infected individuals from the migratory group. Here, we use a bacteria-bacteriophage copropagation system to investigate how host motility affects viral spread during range expansion. We find that phage spread during chemotaxis-driven navigated range expansion decreases as bacterial migration speed increases. Theoretical and experimental analyses show that the navigated migration leads to a spatial sorting of infected and uninfected hosts in the copropagating front of bacteria-bacteriophage, with implications for the number of cells left behind. The preferential loss of infected cells in the copropagating front inhibits viral spread. Further increase in host migration speed leads to a phase transition that eliminates the phage completely. These results illustrate that navigated range expansion of the host can promote the migratory culling of infectious diseases in the migration group.

Understanding vaccination behavior of healthcare workers in German hospitals-results from the OKaPII study

Influenza vaccination coverage in Germany is generally low. Even in hospitals, the demand for influenza vaccination is lacking although it has the potential to prevent the spread of the influenza virus and diseases. To take effective actions, adeeper understanding of vaccination behavior of healthcare workers is crucial. OKaPII is an annual German-wide online survey of clinical staff on influenza vaccination. Differences in vaccination behavior were tested for occupation, sex, and age, and differences in knowledge were tested between physicians and nurses. We used logistic regressions to analyze associations between psychological determinants and vaccination behavior among physicians and nursing staff. From 115 clinics, 15,312 employees participated in the survey (17 April to 15 May 2023). In the 2022/23 season, 58.7% of the participants were vaccinated against influenza. The vaccination coverage was 80.7% for physicians and 51.1% for nursing staff . The vaccination behavior of physicians and nursing staff was significantly associated with collective responsibility and confidence in vaccination safety. Of the knowledge items, 87.2% were answered correctly by physicians and 62% by nursing staff. We identified significant differences in vaccine uptake between occupational groups in German hospitals. Low vaccination coverage has existed for years, especially among nursing staff. Tailored interventions should promote the idea of protecting vulnerable people and confidence in the safety of vaccination. Increased education, especially on vaccination safety issues, can have apositive impact on the decision to vaccinate. Possibilities to get vaccinated despite time constraints in the workplace should be provided.

Targeting n-myristoyltransferases promotes a pan-Mammarenavirus inhibition through the degradation of the Z matrix protein.

Several Old World and New World Mammarenavirus are responsible for hemorrhagic fever in humans. These enveloped viruses have a bi-segmented ambisense RNA genome that encodes four proteins. All Mammarenavirus identified to date share a common dependency on myristoylation: the addition of the C14 myristic acid on the N-terminal G2 residue on two of their proteins. The myristoylation of the Z matrix protein is required for viral particle budding, while the myristoylation of the signal peptide to the envelope glycoproteins is important for the entry mechanism. Using Mopeia virus as a model, we characterized the interaction of the Z matrix protein with the N-Myristoyltransferases (NMT) 1 and 2, the two enzymes responsible for myristoylation in mammals. While both enzymes were capable to interact with Z, we showed that only NMT1 was important for the production of viral progeny, the endogenous expression of NMT2 being insufficient to make up for NMT1 in its absence. Using the high affinity inhibitors of NMTs, IMP1088 and DDD85646, we demonstrated a strong, dose dependent and specific inhibition at the nanomolar range for all Mammarenavirus tested, including the highly pathogenic Lassa, Machupo, Junin and Lujo viruses. Mechanistically, IMP1088 and DDD85646 blocked the interaction between Z and both NMTs, preventing myristoylation and further viral particle formation, egress and spread. Unexpectedly, we found that the matrix protein devoid of myristate, despite being fully translated, did not accumulate as the other viral proteins in infected cells but was instead degraded in a proteasome- and autophagy-independent manner. These molecules represent a new broad-spectrum class of inhibitors against Mammarenavirus.

How fast are viruses spreading in the wild?

Genomic data collected from viral outbreaks can be exploited to reconstruct the dispersal history of viral lineages in a two-dimensional space using continuous phylogeographic inference. These spatially explicit reconstructions can subsequently be used to estimate dispersal metrics that can be informative of the dispersal dynamics and the capacity to spread among hosts. Heterogeneous sampling efforts of genomic sequences can however impact the accuracy of phylogeographic dispersal metrics. While the impact of spatial sampling bias on the outcomes of continuous phylogeographic inference has previously been explored, the impact of sampling intensity (i.e., sampling size) when aiming to characterise dispersal patterns through continuous phylogeographic reconstructions has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. In our study, we use simulations to evaluate the robustness of 3 dispersal metrics - a lineage dispersal velocity, a diffusion coefficient, and an isolation-by-distance (IBD) signal metric - to the sampling intensity. Our results reveal that both the diffusion coefficient and IBD signal metrics appear to be the most robust to the number of samples considered for the phylogeographic reconstruction. We then use these 2 dispersal metrics to compare the dispersal pattern and capacity of various viruses spreading in animal populations. Our comparative analysis reveals a broad range of IBD patterns and diffusion coefficients mostly reflecting the dispersal capacity of the main infected host species but also, in some cases, the likely signature of rapid and/or long-distance dispersal events driven by human-mediated movements through animal trade. Overall, our study provides key recommendations for the use of lineage dispersal metrics to consider in future studies and illustrates their application to compare the spread of viruses in various settings.

Potential mechanisms underlying bluetongue virus emergence and spread

Bluetongue is a non-zoonotic arboviral disease transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. Among 1,347 Culicoides species, 30 are known to be vectors of the disease. Bluetongue affects domestic and wild ruminants across all continents, except the Antarctica, causing growing economic losses in livestock production and international trade. In this work, we focused on potential mechanisms underlying the bluetongue virus emergence and spread. Of these mechanisms, the emergence of novel serotypes makes vaccination controversial despite its effectiveness, along with the vector’s ability to acquire the virus and successfully transmit it, spatio-temporal adaptation, and identification of new transmission routes. We also discussed the predisposition of the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts to contract the virus, as well as factors hijacking vector population activity and abundance. Indeed, the ecological dynamics of biting midges strongly influence the ability of the virus to be transmitted and to cause epizootic into parts of the world never before affected, helped by interactions between the pathogen and its host in addition to multiple routes deployed to escape defense barriers in the target infected cells. The points raised in this review can help inform aspects of interest for future studies that may elucidate factors to consider in monitoring and controlling the expansion of Culicoides-transmitted arboviruses.

Dynamics of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Spread in the Balkans in the Context of Global Spatio-Temporal Dispersal.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is considered one of the most widely distributed arboviruses worldwide. In 2018, Serbia was among the European countries reporting the highest number of WNV cases. This study aimed to characterize WNV strains circulating in Serbia, and to estimate the pathways and dynamics of WNV-2 spread in the Balkans and globally through the phylogenetic approach. Fifty newly generated NS5 Serbian sequences were found to belong to WNV lineage 2. Phylodynamic analyses of the Balkan clade indicated the potential for an increase in genetic diversity and structure of virus populations. Presented phylogeographic analyses implied four instances of long-distance WNV-2 migration from Africa to Europe, during the 1940s to 1950s, while further dissemination of WNV-2 originated in Hungary in mid-1970s and subsequently spread to Austria and Serbia. Extensive dispersion took place during the 1990s-2000s, as the virus spread from Austria to central and western Europe, and from Hungary to the Balkans. Continuous phylogeography analysis of the Balkans WNV-2 clade implied the central role of Serbia for WNV dissemination across the Balkan peninsula. Furthermore, previously undocumented instance of intercontinental migration of WNV-2 from Europe to Asia was implied. In-depth phylogenetic investigation into the global distribution of WNV-2 may provide valuable insights into the prediction and prevention of potential epidemics.

A symbiotic mosquito-gut bacterium for flavivirus control.

Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) have emerged as major global public health challenges, causing numerous infections and fatalities each year. However, current measures, including vaccines and treatments, are often limited or ineffective. This highlights the urgent need for novel preventive strategies to control the spread of key mosquito-borne viruses like DENV and ZIKV. In a recent study published in Science, Zhang et al. isolated a bacterium named Rosenbergiella_YN46 from the gut of field-caught Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Yunnan Province, China. This commentary reviews their findings, published on April19,2024, which describe the symbiotic bacterium Rosenbergiella_YN46 and its ability to block flavivirus transmission, including both DENV and ZIKV. The bacterium shows promising potential for future dengue fever prevention and provides valuable insights into a novel biological approach for controlling mosquito-borne viral diseases.

Presence of dengue virus RNA in urine and oral fluid of laboratory-confirmed dengue patients: Implications for wastewater surveillance

IntroductionDengue cases in the Americas in 2024 have reached record highs, especially in Brazil. However, surveillance remains suboptimal and new methods are needed to monitor Dengue Virus (DENV) spread. To assess whether wastewater-based epidemiology would be a useful tool, we investigated the presence of DENV RNA in dengue patients’ urine and oral fluid from an endemic area to inform how shedding in these fluids occurs and provide insight for wastewater surveillance. MethodsWe examined how often DENV RNA is detected in urine and oral fluid from dengue patients confirmed by serum RT-qPCR, NS1 ELISA or IgM seroconversion in Salvador, Brazil. ResultsOf 88 confirmed cases, 9.1 % were positive for DENV RNA in urine (7/88) or oral fluid (1/88). Of 53 serum RT-qPCR-positive patients, 6 (11.3 %) showed detectable DENV RNA in acute- or convalescent-phase urine. Patients with RT-qPCR-positive urine had a lower frequency of DENV IgG in acute-phase serum (a proxy for secondary infection) (57 % vs. 74 %) and a lower median serum RT-qPCR cycle threshold than those with negative urine (21.8 vs. 23.9). ConclusionThe low presence of DENV RNA in urine suggests that additional research is needed to evaluate whether using wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor DENV transmission is possible.

Preparedness of Countries in Preventing Monkeypox in The Upcoming Mass Gathering Events: Status and Recommendations

A dangerous zoonotic illness call monkeypox (MPX) is endangering public health by spreading around the world. It is endemic to western and central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it was first reported in a human being. Concern is raised by the recent increase of incidence across several continents in non-endemic nations. Thus, there are 86746 confirmed cases as of 31 March 2023. MPX cases are significantly rising, with males seeing the highest rates of infection. Concise recommendations by World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should be considered towards mass gatherings events(MG) to reduce the spreading of this disease. Football leagues and other sport matches, which attract a very large number of participants and audience, impose serious risks and public health consequences. Thus, with the beginning of vaccinations in July 2022, globally healthcare policymakers must make a difficult choice about the monkeypox vaccine at this point in the disease's progression. Since, CDC recommends that healthcare practitioners establish clinical guidelines that will help them recognize instances and give the appropriate monitoring, follow-up, and treatment updates. In the current global outbreak, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are the most impacted demographic group. Therefore, it is essential to curb the spread of the monkeypox virus by increasing vaccine demand among local LGBTQIA+ community members and educating them about the value of immunization.

Impact of non-pharmacological interventions on incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease during the COVID-19 pandemic: a large population-based observational study

BackgroundHand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly prevalent and contagious disease, particularly in children under five years old. Its transmission route resembles that of COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented to curb viral spread, which may have concurrently reduced HFMD incidence.MethodsUtilizing HFMD surveillance data from the Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2015–2020) and varying levels of COVID-19 emergency measures, a Bayesian structural time series model predicted the counterfactual HFMD incidence and quantified the causal relationships with NPIs.ResultsDuring the implementation of NPIs, the 915 cases observed between weeks 4 and 20 of 2020 reflected a 94.9% reduction from the expected cases number (915 vs. 17,790), avoiding approximately 16,875 cases. The relative reduction of male cases (95.2%) was similar to that of female cases (94.3%). Different age groups the number of cases decline roughly similar were 93.1%, 95.3%, 97.8%, 94.9%.ConclusionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, NPIs implemented in response to COVID-19 effectively reduced HFMD incidence. NPIs should be promoted for future control of enteric infectious diseases such as HFMD.

UTM’s Groundbreaking COVID-19 Tracker for Strategic Pandemic Preparedness (UTMCCTA)

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus disease) is one of the most lethal viruses of this decade. Infected people with mild to moderate respiratory issues might have slight side effects due to the virus. However, senior individuals and individuals with serious medical problems like cardiovascular disease, serious lung disease, diabetes, or cancer, on the other hand, are considerably more likely to develop serious illnesses. Because the virus spreads via physical touch as well as through air droplets, it's critical to maintain tracking of everyone on the UTM campus, including UTM students and employees who come into contact during working hours. As a result, the UTM COVID-19 Contact Tracing System (UTMCCTA) was developed to address this problem. UTMCCTA is an automatic system that tracks contacts and notifies them if someone on their contact list tests positive for COVID-19. This program includes two user interfaces: one is a mobile app that UTM students use to automatically scan for nearby contacts, and the other is an online website that UTM Health Authorities and administrators will utilize. UTM health officials can look up a user and change their COVID-19 status from negative to positive, and vice versa. This will immediately notify any users with whom the infected person has been in touch. Furthermore, users can actively contribute to UTM's strategic preparedness by manually entering their daily commute location. This data enhances our capacity to respond proactively. Moreover, when a user contacts another user, their contact location and time are stored in the database. This information is solely accessible to the administrator, who may evaluate it and issue a locational hotspot notice to all users enrolled in the system. This innovative approach ensures that UTM is at the forefront of pandemic preparedness and response.

Metagenome-Assembled Genomes of Pig Fecal Samples in Nine European Countries: Insights into Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Viruses

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the health and productivity of pigs. However, the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and viruses within the pig intestinal microbiota poses significant threats to animal and public health. This study utilized 181 pig samples from nine European countries and employed metagenomic assembly methods to investigate the dynamics and distribution of ARGs and viruses within the pig intestinal microbiota, aiming to observing their associations with potential bacterial hosts. We identified 4605 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), corresponding to 19 bacterial phyla, 97 families, 309 genera, and a total of 449 species. Additionally, 44 MAGs were classified as archaea. Analysis of ARGs revealed 276 ARG types across 21 ARG classes, with Glycopeptide being the most abundant ARG class, followed by the class of Multidrug. Treponema D sp016293915 was identified as a primary potential bacterial host for Glycopeptide. Aligning nucleotide sequences with a viral database, we identified 1044 viruses. Among the viral genome families, Peduoviridae and Intestiviridae were the most prevalent, with CAG-914 sp000437895 being the most common potential host species for both. These findings highlight the importance of MAGs in enhancing our understanding of the gut microbiome, revealing microbial diversity, antibiotic resistance, and virus–bacteria interactions. The data analysis for the article was based on the public dataset PRJEB22062 in the European Nucleotide Archive.

Exploring plant virus diversity in wastewater and reclaimed water through metagenomic analysis

The use of reclaimed water for agricultural activities is being widely employed to address drought and water scarcity. Nevertheless, the disinfection processes do not consistently facilitate the complete removal of all eukaryotic viruses within these reclaimed waters. Consequently, it may pose a risk not only to humans but also to irrigated plants. We analyzed 48 influent and 48 effluent samples from 4 different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to characterize plant-associated virome over a one-year period. Our results showed high levels of plant viruses in both influent and effluent waters. The predominant family identified was Virgaviridae, recognized for its high environmental persistence. Notably, the identification of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit virus (ToBRFV), classified as a harmful organism by the European Union and subject to strict containment measures to control its spread, highlights the importance of monitoring reclaimed water to mitigate the spread of such viruses into the environment. These findings underscore the need of analyzing reclaimed water from a One Health perspective, ensuring its safety for humans, animals, plants, and the environment alike.