Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research
Genome characterization of Long Island tick rhabdovirus, a new virus identified in Amblyomma americanum ticks
Published in: Virology Journal | Issue 1/2014
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Background
Ticks are implicated as hosts to a wide range of animal and human pathogens. The full range of microbes harbored by ticks has not yet been fully explored.
Methods
As part of a viral surveillance and discovery project in arthropods, we used unbiased high-throughput sequencing to examine viromes of ticks collected on Long Island, New York in 2013.
Results
We detected and sequenced the complete genome of a novel rhabdovirus originating from a pool of Amblyomma americanum ticks. This virus, which we provisionally name Long Island tick rhabdovirus, is distantly related to Moussa virus from Africa.
Conclusions
The Long Island tick rhabdovirus may represent a novel species within family Rhabdoviridae.