Project description:This study aims at investigating the gene expression profile of thermogenic skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus renifolius). Using Super-SAGE, we compared the gene expression profile of different developmental stages of skunk cabbage spadices.
Project description:Disease caused by the archetypical amdoparvovirus (APV), Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV), has been well studied, but APV infections in other carnivores are poorly understood. Skunk amdoparvovirus (SKAV), one of a handful of newly discovered APVs, is apparently species-specific in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and has a high prevalence across North America. We have evaluated the infection status and viral tissue distribution in a cohort of 26 free-ranging California skunks from a single rehabilitation facility who were euthanized due to poor prognosis for recovery from neurologic disease. SKAV was detected in the majority of this cohort, and virus was associated with a spectrum of lesions including tubulointerstitial nephritis, meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, and arteritis. Affected tissue and patterns of inflammation were partially overlapping with those of AMDV infection but were notably distinct in the kidney.
Project description:Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) densely populate the human-animal interface of suburbia throughout North America. Skunks share that habitat with numerous related mesocarnivores, where increased contact, competition for shared food and water sources and other stressors contribute to increased exposure and susceptibility to viral infection. The recently identified skunk amdoparvovirus (SKAV) has been detected at high prevalence in skunks and occasionally in mink, but its distribution in North America is unknown. To understand the impact of SKAV in striped skunks and the risk posed to related species, we investigated the geographic distribution of SKAV, analysed its genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics and evaluated viral distribution in tissues of infected animals to identify possible mechanisms of transmission. SKAV was detected in 72.5% (37/51) skunks and was present at high rates at all locations tested across North America. Analysis of the complete genomic sequence of 29 strains showed a clear geographic segregation, frequent recombination and marked differences in the evolutionary dynamics of the major structural (VP2) and non-structural (NS1) proteins. NS1 was characterized by a higher variability and a higher percentage of positively selected codons. This could indicate that antibody-mediated enhancement of infection occurs in SKAV, an infection strategy that may be conserved across amdoparvoviruses. Finally, in situ hybridization revealed virus in epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and skin, indicating that viral transmission could occur via oronasal, faecal and/or urinary secretions, as well as from skin and hair. The endemicity of SKAV over large geographic distances and its high genetic diversity suggest a long-term virus-host association. Persistent shedding and high environmental stability likely contribute to efficient viral spread, simultaneously offering opportunities for cross-species transmission with consequent risk to sympatric species, including domestic animals and wildlife.
Project description:Amdoparvovirus is a newly defined parvoviral genus that contains four species (Carnivore amdoparvovirus 1-4), including the well-known Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV). Amdoparvoviruses cause an immune-associated and often lethal wasting syndrome in Mustelidae and Caninae hosts. In this study, we molecularly investigated amdoparvoviruses detected in 44 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) found dead in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Some of the animals exhibited pathological changes compatible with amdoparvovirus-associated disease. The nearly complete genomic sequence was obtained for seven different strains and our analyses show how this virus, which we named skunk amdoparvovirus (SKAV), should be classified as a separate species within the genus (proposed Carnivore amdoparvovirus 5). We detected co-infections, recombinant genomes, at least three separate viral lineages, and preliminary evidence for geographic segregation of lineages. Furthermore, we proved that similar viruses, only partially characterized in previous studies and labeled as AMDV, circulate in skunks from other distant areas of North America (Ontario and California) and found evidence for spillover events in mink (Neovison vison). Although SKAVs are capable of causing disease in infected animals, a high proportion of sub-clinical infections has been observed, suggesting these animals might act as asymptomatic carriers and pose a threat to wild and captive carnivores. Finally, we highlight the need for more specific diagnostic tests and further molecular investigations to clarify the epidemiology and host- and geographical distributions of amdoparvoviruses in terrestrial carnivores, especially because the whole spectrum of viral diversity in this group is likely still unknown.