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Australasian Pigeon Circoviruses Demonstrate Natural Spillover Infection
Babu Kanti Nath1,2, Tridip Das1, Andrew Peters1,2
1School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
Viruses
|October 28, 2023
Summary
Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) shows genetic diversity in Australia. Phylogenetic analysis reveals PiCV genomes lack host adaptation, indicating natural spillover infections across various bird species.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is a genetically diverse virus with a small circular single-stranded DNA genome.
- Limited PiCV genome data from Australasia has hindered phylogeographic studies.
- The Order Columbiformes originates from Australasia, a region with high avian biodiversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic diversity and phylogeography of PiCV in Australia.
- To identify PiCV in various avian hosts across Australia.
- To understand the population structure and host-switching patterns of PiCV.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were used to analyze 118 avian samples.
- Partial replication initiator protein (Rep) and complete genome sequences of PiCV were recovered.
- Phylogenetic analyses were performed on the obtained PiCV sequences.
Main Results:
- Eighteen partial PiCV Rep sequences and one complete genome sequence were identified.
- Australian PiCV sequences clustered into three distinct subclades.
- One subclade showed close relation to PiCV from Poland, while others were linked to strains from China, USA, and Japan.
- PiCV Rep sequences from affected ducks and magpies indicated natural spillover events.
Conclusions:
- Australian PiCV genomes exhibit a lack of host-adapted population structure.
- The findings highlight the host generalist nature of PiCV and its capacity for natural spillover infections.
- This study provides crucial genomic data for understanding PiCV evolution and epidemiology in the Australasian region.
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