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Epidemiology, Genetic Characterization, and Evolution of Hunnivirus Carried by Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi: The First Epidemiological Evidence from Southern China.

ABSTRACT: Hunnivirus is a novel member of the family Picornaviridae. A single species, Hunnivirus A, is currently described. However, there is limited information on the identification of Hunnivirus to date, and thereby the circulation of Hunnivirus is not fully understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, genomic characteristics, and evolution of rat hunnivirus in southern China. A total of 404 fecal samples were subjected to detection of Hunnivirus from urban rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi) using PCR assay based on specific primers targeted to partial 3D regions, with the prevalence of 17.8% in Rattus norvegicus and 15.6% in Rattus tanezumi. An almost full-length rat hunnivirus sequence (RatHuV/YY12/CHN) and the genome structure were acquired in the present study. Phylogenetic analysis of the P1 coding regions suggested the RatHuV/YY12/CHN sequence was found to be within the genotype of Hunnivirus A4. The negative selection was further identified based on analysis of non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rates. The present findings suggest that hunniviruses are common in urban rats. Further research is needed for increased surveillance and awareness of potential risks to human health.

SUBMITTER: Zhang M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8226955 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Anticoagulants are a major component of rodenticides used worldwide, which function by effectively blocking the vitamin K cycle in rodents. The rat Vitamin K epoxide Reductase Complex (VKORC) subunit 1 is the enzyme responsible for recycling vitamin K, and five substitution mutations (Tyr139Cys, Tyr139Ser, Tyr139Phe and Leu128Gln and Leu120Gln) located in the VKORC1 could result in resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides. This study carried out a VKORC1-based survey to estimate the anticoagulant rodenticide resistance in three Rattus species (R. losea, R. norvegicus, and R. tanezumi) collected in Hong Kong. A total of 202 rats captured in Hong Kong between 2017 and 2021 were analysed. Sequencing of molecular marker cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) was carried out to assist the species identification, and the identities of 52 lesser ricefield rats (R. losea), 81 common rats (R. norvegicus) and 69 house rats (R. tanezumi) were confirmed. Three VKORC1 exons were amplified from individuals by PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. A total of 47 R. tanezumi (68.1%) contained Tyr139Cys mutation in VKORC1 gene, and half of them were homozygous. None of the collected R. losea and R. norvegicus were detected with the five known substitutions leading to anticoagulant rodenticides resistance, and previously undescribed missense mutations were revealed in each species. Whole genome sequencing was further carried out on some individuals, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also identified in the introns. This is the first study investigating the situation of anticoagulant rodenticide resistance in the rats collected in Hong Kong. Given that the efficacy of rodenticides is crucial for effective rodent management, regular genetic testing as well as population genomic analyses will be required to both monitor the situation and understand the adaption of different rat haplotypes for integrated pest management. Susceptibility tests for individual rodenticides should also be conducted regularly to assess their effectiveness on local species.

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Dataset Information

Epidemiology, Genetic Characterization, and Evolution of Hunnivirus Carried by Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi: The First Epidemiological Evidence from Southern China.

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