The Fecal Viral Flora of Wild Rodents
Author Information
Author(s): Phan Tung G., Kapusinszky Beatrix, Wang Chunlin, Rose Robert K., Lipton Howard L., Delwart Eric L.
Primary Institution: Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
Hypothesis
To obtain an initial unbiased measure of the viral diversity in the enteric tract of wild rodents.
Conclusion
This study increases our understanding of the viral diversity in wild rodents and highlights the large number of still uncharacterized viruses in mammals.
Supporting Evidence
- Rodents are known reservoirs of numerous zoonotic viruses causing serious diseases in humans.
- Multiple new circular viral DNA families and two new picornaviridae genera were characterized.
- The study identified the first murine astrovirus genome and fragments of a novel adenovirus.
Takeaway
Scientists studied the poop of wild rodents to find out what kinds of viruses live in their tummies, discovering many new and unknown viruses.
Methodology
Fecal samples were collected from wild rodents, and viral RNA and DNA were sequenced to analyze the viral diversity.
Limitations
The study is limited to the viral diversity found in the specific rodent species and locations sampled.
Participant Demographics
The study included various species of wild rodents, specifically mice, voles, and a woodrat, collected from California and Virginia.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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