Investigation of coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses and poxviruses in free-ranging anteaters and armadillos: a search for the unknown and zoonotic implications
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Wild mammals are susceptible to several viruses that can be transmitted to humans. However, wildlife can also be impacted by spillover of viruses transmitted from humans or domestic animals. Many xenarthrans are vulnerable to extinction, underscoring the importance of monitoring potentially life-threatening viruses for conservation efforts. This study investigated the molecular presence of coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and poxviruses in free-ranging anteaters and armadillos from the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Among 236 animals tested, no coronavirus was identified, paramyxovirus was detected in four giant anteaters and one six-banded armadillo, and poxvirus in one giant anteater. All paramyxovirus-positive samples were identified by sequencing as Morbillivirus canis , and the poxvirus sample exhibited 88% identity to Molluscipoxvirus molluscum , indicating a potentially novel species. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of paramyxovirus and poxvirus in armadillos and giant anteaters in the wild, expanding the known host spectrum of both pathogens. Since Morbillivirus canis can be highly pathogenic to wildlife, and Molluscipoxvirus molluscum is a human disease, further studies should estimate the conservation implications and zoonotic risk associated with these pathogens. This underscores the importance of surveillance at the animal-human-environment interface to mitigate conservation threats and safeguard public health.
Author Summary
Viruses can affect not only human health but also wildlife, sometimes with serious consequences. Some viruses originate in wild animals and can spread to humans, while others move in the opposite direction, spilling over from people or domestic animals into wildlife populations. In this study, we investigated the presence of three groups of viruses— coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and poxviruses—in free-living anteaters and armadillos from central Brazil. We tested 236 animals and discovered paramyxovirus in five of them and poxvirus in one, but no coronaviruses. The paramyxovirus detected was Morbillivirus canis , a virus known to cause severe disease in wildlife, while the poxvirus was genetically similar to Molluscipoxvirus molluscum , which affects humans. These findings expand our knowledge of viruses in these species and raise important questions about their potential impacts on animal conservation and human health. Studying viruses in wildlife is crucial to understanding disease risks and finding ways to protect both animals and people from emerging threats.
