Biology subjects

Blanchard, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Blanchard, Y..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Comparative genomics reveals the emergence of an outbreak-associated Cryptosporidium parvum population in Europe and its spread to the USA

The zoonotic parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is a global cause of gastrointestinal disease in humans and ruminants. Sequence analysis of the highly polymorphic gp60 gene enabled the classification of C. parvum isolates into multiple groups (e.g. IIa, IIc, Id) and a large number of subtypes. In Europe, subtype IIaA15G2R1 is largely predominant and has been associated with many water-and food-borne outbreaks. In this study, we generated new whole genome sequence (WGS) data from 123 human-and ruminant-derived isolates collected in 13 European countries and included other available WGS data from Europe, Egypt, China and the USA (n=72) in the largest comparative genomics study to date. We applied rigorous filters to exclude mixed infections and analysed a dataset from 141 isolates from the zoonotic groups IIa (n=119) and IId (n=22). Based on 28,047 high quality, biallelic genomic SNPs, we identified three distinct and strongly supported populations: isolates from China (IId) and Egypt (IIa and IId) formed population 1, a minority of European isolates (IIa and IId) formed population 2, while the majority of European (IIa, including all IIaA15G2R1 isolates) and all isolates from the USA (IIa) clustered in population 3. Based on analyses of the population structure, population genetics and recombination, we show that population 3 has recently emerged and expanded throughout Europe to then, possibly from the UK, reach the USA where it also expanded. In addition, genetic exchanges between different populations led to the formation of mosaic genomes. The reason(s) for the successful spread of population 3 remained elusive, although genes under selective pressure uniquely in this population were identified.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

Investigations on SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses in mink farms in France at the end of the first year of COVID-19 pandemic

Soon after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the Betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection of several mink farms breeding American minks (Neovison vison) for fur was detected in several countries of Europe. The risk of a new reservoir formation and of a reverse zoonosis from minks was then a major concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the four French mink farms for the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 at the end of 2020. The investigations took place during the slaughtering period thus facilitating different types of sampling (swabs and blood). In one of the four mink farms, 96.6% of serum samples were positive in SARS-CoV-2 ELISA coated with purified N protein recombinant antigen and 54 out of 162 (33%) pharyngo-tracheal swabs were positive by RT-qPCR. The genetic variability among 12 SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced in this farm indicated the co-circulation of several lineages at the time of sampling. All SARS-CoV-2 genomes detected were nested within the 20A clade (Nextclade), together with SARS-CoV-2 genomes from humans sampled at the same period. The percentage of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity by ELISA varied between 0.5 and 1.2% in the three other farms. Interestingly, among these three farms, 11 pharyngo-tracheal swabs and 3 fecal pools from two farms were positive by end-point RT-PCR for an Alphacoronavirus highly similar to a mink coronavirus sequence observed in Danish farms in 2015. In addition, a mink Caliciviridae was identified in one of the two positive farms for Alphacoronavirus. The clinical impact of these unapparent viral infections is not known. The co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with other viruses in mink farms could contribute to explain the diversity of clinical symptoms noted in different infected farms in Europe. In addition, the co-circulation of an Alphacoronavirus and SARS-CoV-2 within a mink farm would increase potentially the risk of viral recombination between alpha and betacoronaviruses already suggested in wild and domestic animals, as well as in humans. Author summaryFrance is not a country of major mink fur production. Following the SARS-CoV-2 contamination of mink farms in Denmark and the Netherlands, the question arose for the four French farms. The investigation conducted at the same time in the four farms revealed the contamination of one of them by a variant different from the one circulating at the same time in Denmark and the Netherlands mink farms. Investigation of three other farms free of SARS-CoV-2 contamination revealed the circulation of other viruses including a mink Alphacoronavirus and Caliciviridae, which could modify the symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in minks.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

A world of viruses nested within parasites: Unraveling viral diversity within parasitic flatworms (Platyhelminthes)

Because parasites have an inextricable relationship with their host, they have the potential to serve as viral reservoirs or facilitate virus host-shifts. Yet, little is known about viruses infecting parasitic hosts except for blood-feeding arthropods that are well-known vectors of zoonotic viruses. Herein we uncover viruses of flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthes, group Neodermata) that specialize in parasitizing vertebrates and their ancestral free-living relatives. We discovered 115 novel viral sequences, including 1 in Macrostomorpha, 5 in Polycladida, 44 in Tricladida, 1 in Monogenea, 15 in Cestoda and 49 in Trematoda, through data mining. The majority of newly identified viruses constitute novel families or genera. Phylogenetic analyses show that the virome of flatworms changed dramatically during the transition of Neodermatans to a parasitic lifestyle. Most Neodermatan viruses seem to co-diversify with their host, with the exception of rhabdoviruses which may switch host more often, based on phylogenetic relationships. Neodermatan rhabodviruses also have an ancestral position to vertebrate-associated viruses, including Lyssaviruses, suggesting that vertebrate rhabdoviruses emerged from a flatworm rhabdovirus in a parasitized host. This study reveals an extensive diversity of viruses in Platyhelminthes and highlights the need to evaluate the role of viral infection in flatworm-associated diseases.

microbiology↗