Viral biocontrol: grand experiments in disease emergence and evolution

Trends Microbiol. 2015 Feb;23(2):83-90. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.10.004. Epub 2014 Oct 31.

Abstract

Although viral emergence is commonly associated with cross-species transmission, the processes and determinants of viral evolution in a novel host environment are poorly understood. We address key questions in virus emergence and evolution using data generated from two unique natural experiments: the deliberate release of myxoma virus (MYXV) and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) as biological control (biocontrol) agents against the European rabbit in Australia, and which have been of enormous benefit to Australia's ecosystem and agricultural industries. Notably, although virulence evolution in MYXV and RHDV followed different trajectories, a strongly parallel evolutionary process was observed in Australia and Europe. These biocontrol agents were also characterized by a lack of transmission to nontarget host species, suggesting that there are major barriers to successful emergence.

Keywords: biocontrol; emergence; evolution; rabbit; virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Biological Control Agents*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / microbiology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / transmission
  • Caliciviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology*
  • Ecosystem
  • Europe
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit* / genetics
  • Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit* / pathogenicity
  • Myxoma virus* / genetics
  • Myxoma virus* / pathogenicity
  • Myxomatosis, Infectious / transmission
  • Myxomatosis, Infectious / virology
  • Phylogeny
  • Rabbits*
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Biological Control Agents