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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis
Published on: June 4, 2016
The expanding family Marseilleviridae
Sarah Aherfi1, Bernard La Scola1, Isabelle Pagnier2
1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Univ., 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, Faculté de Médecine, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France; Fondation Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France.
Giant viruses from the Marseilleviridae family, found in amoebae, have been detected in humans. Their presence suggests potential bloodborne transmission and raises questions about pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Marseilleviridae are giant viruses that replicate in Acanthamoeba.
- Seven new marseilleviruses have been identified since Marseillevirus discovery in 2007.
- These viruses possess large capsids and extensive genomes encoding numerous proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships within the Marseilleviridae family.
- To investigate the potential presence and implications of marseilleviruses in human populations.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics to analyze gene content and evolutionary lineages.
- Detection of viral DNA and antibodies in human samples.
Main Results:
- Marseilleviridae comprises three distinct lineages with a pan-genome of approximately 600 genes.
- Antibodies and viral DNA were found in asymptomatic individuals and a child with adenitis.
- Evidence suggests marseilleviruses may be bloodborne.
Conclusions:
- Marseilleviridae represent a diverse group of giant viruses with potential implications for human health.
- Further research is needed to determine the pathogenicity of marseilleviruses in humans.
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