Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations

Abstract Background The Antarctic environment is susceptible to the introduction of non-native species due to its unique ecosystem, which has evolved under geographical isolation and extreme climatic conditions over an extended period. The recent introduction of the non-native winter crane fly, Tric...

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Main Authors: Sook-Young Lee, Ji Hee Kim, Seunghyun Kang, Kye Chung Park, Sung Mi Cho, Carla Ximena Salinas, Lorena Rebolledo, Hugo A. Benítez, Tamara Contador Mejías, Alvaro Soutullo, Eduardo Juri, Sanghee Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Parasites & Vectors
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06555-4
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author Sook-Young Lee
Ji Hee Kim
Seunghyun Kang
Kye Chung Park
Sung Mi Cho
Carla Ximena Salinas
Lorena Rebolledo
Hugo A. Benítez
Tamara Contador Mejías
Alvaro Soutullo
Eduardo Juri
Sanghee Kim
author_facet Sook-Young Lee
Ji Hee Kim
Seunghyun Kang
Kye Chung Park
Sung Mi Cho
Carla Ximena Salinas
Lorena Rebolledo
Hugo A. Benítez
Tamara Contador Mejías
Alvaro Soutullo
Eduardo Juri
Sanghee Kim
author_sort Sook-Young Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The Antarctic environment is susceptible to the introduction of non-native species due to its unique ecosystem, which has evolved under geographical isolation and extreme climatic conditions over an extended period. The recent introduction of the non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis, to maritime Antarctica may pose a potential threat to the Antarctic ecosystem. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of the mechanical transmission of viruses by T. maculipennis. Methods We assessed the potential for the mechanical transmission of viruses using next-generation sequencing (NGS), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and virus isolation methods from T. maculipennis (Tm)-related samples (Tm body-wash fluid and Tm body-ground samples) collected from habitats and sewage treatment facilities located at three research stations in Antarctica. Results Virome analysis detected the genomic fragments of human adenovirus (AdV) and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) in Tm-related samples. These viruses are commonly found in human feces. In addition, plant viruses, such as pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), both known indicators of enteric viruses, were identified in all Tm-related samples, likely originating from wastewater. However, the low quantities of AdV and HERV genomes detected in Tm-related samples through qPCR, coupled with the non-viability of AdV in virus isolation tests, indicate that T. maculipennis has limited potential for mechanical transmission under the conditions in the studies. Conclusions Our study represents the first evaluation of the potential risk of non-native species serving as vectors for viral pathogens in Antarctica. Although the viruses detected were in relatively low quantities and non-viable, this study highlights the importance of further evaluating the risks associated with non-native species, particularly as the likelihood of their introduction increases to Antarctica due to climate change and increased human activity. Graphical abstract
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publishDate 2024-11-01
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series Parasites & Vectors
spelling doaj-art-22a2c577a8de4edd9fcbca531f82ecc32024-12-01T12:12:24ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052024-11-011711810.1186/s13071-024-06555-4Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stationsSook-Young Lee0Ji Hee Kim1Seunghyun Kang2Kye Chung Park3Sung Mi Cho4Carla Ximena Salinas5Lorena Rebolledo6Hugo A. Benítez7Tamara Contador Mejías8Alvaro Soutullo9Eduardo Juri10Sanghee Kim11Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research InstituteDivision of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research InstituteDivision of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research InstituteThe New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd.Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research InstituteDepartamento Científico, Instituto Antártico ChilenoDepartamento Científico, Instituto Antártico ChilenoMillennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantartic Ecosystem (BASE)Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantartic Ecosystem (BASE)Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la RepúblicaInstituto Antártico UruguayoDivision of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research InstituteAbstract Background The Antarctic environment is susceptible to the introduction of non-native species due to its unique ecosystem, which has evolved under geographical isolation and extreme climatic conditions over an extended period. The recent introduction of the non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis, to maritime Antarctica may pose a potential threat to the Antarctic ecosystem. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of the mechanical transmission of viruses by T. maculipennis. Methods We assessed the potential for the mechanical transmission of viruses using next-generation sequencing (NGS), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and virus isolation methods from T. maculipennis (Tm)-related samples (Tm body-wash fluid and Tm body-ground samples) collected from habitats and sewage treatment facilities located at three research stations in Antarctica. Results Virome analysis detected the genomic fragments of human adenovirus (AdV) and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) in Tm-related samples. These viruses are commonly found in human feces. In addition, plant viruses, such as pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), both known indicators of enteric viruses, were identified in all Tm-related samples, likely originating from wastewater. However, the low quantities of AdV and HERV genomes detected in Tm-related samples through qPCR, coupled with the non-viability of AdV in virus isolation tests, indicate that T. maculipennis has limited potential for mechanical transmission under the conditions in the studies. Conclusions Our study represents the first evaluation of the potential risk of non-native species serving as vectors for viral pathogens in Antarctica. Although the viruses detected were in relatively low quantities and non-viable, this study highlights the importance of further evaluating the risks associated with non-native species, particularly as the likelihood of their introduction increases to Antarctica due to climate change and increased human activity. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06555-4Trichocera maculipennisNon-native winter crane flyAntarcticaVirusMechanical transmission
spellingShingle Sook-Young Lee
Ji Hee Kim
Seunghyun Kang
Kye Chung Park
Sung Mi Cho
Carla Ximena Salinas
Lorena Rebolledo
Hugo A. Benítez
Tamara Contador Mejías
Alvaro Soutullo
Eduardo Juri
Sanghee Kim
Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations
Parasites & Vectors
Trichocera maculipennis
Non-native winter crane fly
Antarctica
Virus
Mechanical transmission
title Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations
title_full Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations
title_fullStr Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations
title_full_unstemmed Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations
title_short Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations
title_sort detection of human enteric viral genes in a non native winter crane fly trichocera maculipennis diptera in the sewage treatment facilities at antarctic stations
topic Trichocera maculipennis
Non-native winter crane fly
Antarctica
Virus
Mechanical transmission
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06555-4
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