Ecological analysis of emerging arthropod-borne viruses explored by wild birds and blood-sucking arthropods

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15671
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Daisuke 国立感染症研究所, 安全実験管理部, 主任研究官 (40829850)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ウイルス / アルボウイルス / 吸血昆虫 / ダニ / ヌカカ / ブユ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on insects that preferentially suck blood from birds and a variety of blood-sucking arthropods inhabiting bird nest to explore pathogenic viruses and find a new maintenance and transmission cycles of the viruses among them. We captured various blood-sucking arthropods, such as dipteran insects (e.g., biting midges and black flies) around bird nesting sites. Furthermore, ticks, mites, and fleas were collected from bird nests during the research term. From the collected samples, RNA virome analyses were conducted by utilizing next-generation sequencers and virus isolation methods using cell culture systems were also conducted. The results of these analyses revealed the presence of a wide variety of viruses, including novel viruses, in blood-sucking arthropods inhabiting nests of wild birds.

Free Research Field

媒介生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、これまで病原体の媒介者としてあまり注目されることのなかった鳥類の営巣活動を取り巻く吸血昆虫類（サシダニ類やノミ類等）も、蚊やマダニといった重要な病原ウイルスの媒介者と同様に、多様なウイルスを保有していることが明らかとなった。この結果は、野鳥とその巣材に棲息する吸血昆虫類との間に、これまで見過ごされていたウイルスの伝播・維持サイクルが存在する可能性を示すものであり、今後ヒトや動物の集団中で流行する可能性のある新興ウイルスの供給源となりうる可能性も考えられた。