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Susceptibility of spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) to experimental infection with the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), an emerging human pathogen naturally transmitted by ticks, has spread widely since it was first detected in 2010. Although SFTSV-specific antibodies have been detected in wild birds, these natural reservoir and amplifying hosts for the virus have not been well studied. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS:Here we report an experimental infection of spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) with two strains of SFTSV, JS2010-14, a Chinese lineage strain, and JS2014-16, a Japanese lineage strain, which represent the main viral genotypes currently circulating in East Asia. In these studies, we have determined that spotted doves are susceptible to SFTSV and the severity of the viremia is dose-dependent. When challenged with 107 and 105 PFU, all doves developed viremia which peaked 3-5 days post infection (dpi). Only a subset (25-62.5%) of the birds developed viremia when challenged at 103 PFU. Virulence of SFTSV in spotted doves was strain dependent. Infection with 107 PFU of strain JS2014-16 resulted in 12.5% mortality over 6.8 days and mean peak viremia titers of 106.9 PFU/mL in experimentally inoculated birds. All doves inoculated with 107 PFU of the JS2010-14 strain survived infection with relatively lower mean viremia titers (105.6 PFU/mL at peak) over 6.1 days. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:Our results suggest that spotted doves, one of the most abundant bird species in China, could be a competent amplifying host for SFTSV and play an important role in its ecology. Between the two SFTSV strains, the strain of the Japanese lineage caused mortality, higher viremia titers in infected birds over a longer time period than did the Chinese strain. Our observations shed light on the ecology of SFTSV, which could benefit the implementation of surveillance and control programs.

SUBMITTER: Li Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6636776 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Susceptibility of spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) to experimental infection with the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus.

Li Zhifeng Z Bao Changjun C Hu Jianli J Gao Chengfeng C Zhang Nan N Xiang Huo H Cardona Carol J CJ Xing Zheng Z

PLoS neglected tropical diseases 20190705 7

<h4>Background</h4>Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), an emerging human pathogen naturally transmitted by ticks, has spread widely since it was first detected in 2010. Although SFTSV-specific antibodies have been detected in wild birds, these natural reservoir and amplifying hosts for the virus have not been well studied.<h4>Methodology/principle findings</h4>Here we report an experimental infection of spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) with two strains of SFTSV, JS20 ...[more]

PMID: 31276495

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Project description:BackgroundSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne phlebovirus in family Bunyaviridae. Studies have found that humans, domestic and wildlife animals can be infected by SFTSV. However, the viral ecology, circulation, and transmission remain largely unknown.Methodology/principal findingsSixty seven human SFTS cases were reported and confirmed by virus isolation or immunofluorescence assay between 2011 and 2014. In 2013-2014 we collected 9,984 ticks from either vegetation or small wild mammals in the endemic area in Jiangsu, China, and detected SFTSV-RNA by real-time RT-PCR in both questing and feeding Haemaphysalis longicornis and H. flava. Viral RNA was identified in larvae of H. longicornis prior to a first blood meal, which has never been confirmed previously in nature. SFTSV-RNA and antibodies were also detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively, in wild mammals including Erinaceus europaeus and Sorex araneus. A live SFTSV was isolated from Erinaceus europaeus captured during the off tick-feeding season and with a high SFTSV antibody titer. Furthermore, SFTSV antibodies were detected in the migratory birds Anser cygnoides and Streptopelia chinensis using ELISA.Conclusions/significanceThe detection of SFTSV-RNA in non-engorged larvae indicated that vertical transmission of SFTSV in H. longicornis might occur in nature, which suggests that H. longicornis is a putative reservoir host of SFTSV. Small wild mammals such as Erinaceus europaeus and Sorex araneus could be infected by SFTSV and may serve as natural amplifying hosts. Our data unveiled that wild birds could be infected with SFTSV or carry SFTSV-infected ticks and thus might contribute to the long-distance spread of SFTSV via migratory flyways. These findings provide novel insights for understanding SFTSV ecology, reservoir hosts, and transmission in nature and will help develop new measures in preventing its rapid spread both regionally and globally.

Dataset Information

Susceptibility of spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) to experimental infection with the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus.

Publications

Susceptibility of spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) to experimental infection with the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus.

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