Correction: Kosoltanapiwat et al. A Novel Simian Adenovirus Associating with Human Adenovirus Species G Isolated from Long-Tailed Macaque Feces. Viruses 2023, 15, 1371.

After publication of the article, the authors received comments from a member of the Viruses editorial board who is an expert in the field of adenovirus concerning figures and references that should be included in the paper [...].

A Novel Simian Adenovirus Associating with Human Adeno-virus Species G Isolated from Long-Tailed Macaque Feces.

Metagenomics has demonstrated its capability in outbreak investigations and pathogen surveillance and discovery. With high-throughput and effective bioinformatics, many disease-causing agents, as well as novel viruses of humans and animals, have been identified using metagenomic analysis. In this study, a VIDISCA metagenomics workflow was used to identify potential unknown viruses in 33 fecal samples from asymptomatic long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. Putatively novel astroviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses were detected and confirmed by PCR analysis of long-tailed macaque fecal samples collected from areas in four provinces, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan, where humans and monkeys live in proximity (total n = 187). Astroviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses were present in 3.2%, 7.5%, and 4.8% of macaque fecal samples, respectively. One adenovirus, named AdV-RBR-6-3, was successfully isolated in human cell culture. Whole-genome analysis suggested that it is a new member of the species Human adenovirus G, closely related to Rhesus adenovirus 53, with evidence of genetic recombination and variation in the hexon, fiber, and CR1 genes. Sero-surveillance showed neutralizing antibodies against AdV-RBR-6-3 in 2.9% and 11.2% of monkeys and humans, respectively, suggesting cross-species infection of monkeys and humans. Overall, we reported the use of metagenomics to screen for possible new viruses, as well as the isolation and molecular and serological characterization of the new adenovirus with cross-species transmission potential. The findings emphasize that zoonotic surveillance is important and should be continued, especially in areas where humans and animals interact, to predict and prevent the threat of emerging zoonotic pathogens.

Serological and Molecular Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Captive Tigers (Panthera tigris), Thailand.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Given the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, continuous surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in animals is important. To monitor SARS-CoV-2 infection in wildlife in Thailand, we collected 62 blood samples and nine nasal- and rectal-swab samples from captive tigers (Panthera tigris) in Ratchaburi province in Thailand during 2020-2021. A plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) was employed to detect SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. A real-time RT-PCR assay was performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our findings demonstrated that four captive tigers (6.5%, 4/62) had SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies against Wuhan Hu-1 and the Delta variant, while no SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome could be detected in all swab samples. Moreover, a low-level titer of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron BA.2 subvariant could be found in only one seropositive tiger. The source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these tigers most likely came from close contact with the infected animals' caretakers who engaged in activities such as tiger petting and feeding. In summary, we described the first case of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in captive tigers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand and provided seroepidemiological-based evidence of human-to-animal transmission. Our findings highlight the need for continuous surveillance of COVID-19 among the captive tiger population and emphasize the need to adopt a One Health approach for preventing and controlling outbreaks of COVID-19 zoonotic disease.

Simian adenoviruses: Molecular and serological survey in monkeys and humans in Thailand.

Simian adenoviruses are in the genus Mastadenovirus of the family Adenoviridae. This family is composed of non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect a wide range of animals. Mastadenoviruses infect mammals, including non-human primates and humans. The close genetic relatedness between simian and human adenoviruses, with its associated potential for the cross-species transmission of zoonotic adenoviruses from monkeys to humans and vice versa, poses important health concerns and thus warrants research. In this study, we performed a molecular survey of adenoviruses in monkeys in Thailand. Most of the monkeys tested here were long-tailed macaques, free-ranging in areas close to human territories across four provinces: Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan. A few fecal samples from captive wild monkeys (a stump-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaques, gibbons, and a leaf monkey) were also tested. Adenoviruses were detected in 33.3% (70 out of 210) of the fecal or rectal swab samples. The viruses identified in these samples included Simian adenovirus (SAdV)-A, SAdV-B, SAdV-H, Human adenovirus (HAdV)-D, HAdV-G, and a bat adenovirus species. One SAdV-B, SAdV RBR-7-10, was isolated from a long-tailed macaque fecal sample and identified by mass spectrometry. Its full hexon gene and nearly complete DNA polymerase gene were sequenced and analyzed, and the virions were imaged by transmission electron microscopy. The SAdV RBR-7-10 virus was used in a microneutralization assay to identify virus-specific antibodies in monkey plasma and human serum samples collected from the same areas in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. We detected neutralizing antibodies against SAdV RBR-7-10 in 6.8% (n = 103) of the monkey samples but in none of the 125 human serum samples, suggesting no cross-species transmission of SAdV RBR-7-10 occurred at this study site. Nevertheless, a continuing surveillance of pathogens in monkeys is warranted to quickly identify possible emerging zoonotic outbreaks.

Molecular study of feline hemoplasmas in free- ranging fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) in Thailand.

Feline hemoplasmas, consisting of Mycoplasma haemofelis (M. haemofelis), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (Ca. M. haemominutum), and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (Ca. M. turicensis), cause feline infectious anemia and zoonoses. Using multiplex PCR and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, 22 blood samples from fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) living in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Thailand were determined positive for M. haemofelis (13.6%)and Ca. M. haemominutum (22.7%). M. haemofelis and Ca. M. haemominutum infection can result severe anemia and asymptomatic, respectively. However, not all positive cases exhibit anemia symptoms. Future study of hemoplasma infection in wild felids is necessary for conservation and the preservation of public health in Thailand.