Plant biosecurity threats detected using metatranscriptomic sequencing of animal gut contents.

ABSTRACT: Ribgrass mosaic virus (RMV) and related viruses of the genus Tobamovirus (family Virgaviridae) are cruciferous plant pathogens that represent a threat to global horticultural systems. In Australia, they are considered exotic biosecurity threats, and an incursion of these viruses would require rapid and strict control efforts. However, current surveillance methods for these viruses are limited. We examined whether RMV and related tobamoviruses could be detected through the analysis of mammalian gut metatranscriptomes. Accordingly, we identified five different tobamoviruses in one or more gut metatranscriptomes of the Eastern grey kangaroo, fallow deer, domestic dog, spotted-tailed quoll, feral cat, and the Tasmanian devil. One of the tobamoviruses was also detected in a tick m

SUBMITTER: Mahar JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12461698 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature