Removal of Waterborne Viruses by Tetrahymena pyriformis Is Virus-Specific and Coincides with Changes in Protist Swimming Speed

<p>Biological treatment of waterborne viruses, specifically grazing of viruses by protists, can enhance microbial water quality while avoiding the production of toxic byproducts and high energy costs. However, tangible applications are limited by the lack of understanding of the underlying mec...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Olive, Margot, Moerman, Felix, Fernández Cassi, Xavier, Altermatt, Florian, Kohn, Tamar
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/209980
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/209980
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Malalties transmeses per l'aigua
Virus
Gastroenteritis
Waterborne diseases
Viruses
Descripción
Sumario:<p>Biological treatment of waterborne viruses, specifically grazing of viruses by protists, can enhance microbial water quality while avoiding the production of toxic byproducts and high energy costs. However, tangible applications are limited by the lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we examined the feeding behavior of Tetrahymena pyriformis ciliates on 13 viruses, including bacteriophages, enteric viruses, and respiratory viruses. Significant differences in virus removal by T. pyriformis were observed, ranging from no removal (Qbeta, coxsackievirus B5) to ≥2.7 log10 (JC polyomavirus) after 48 h of co-incubation of the protist with the virus. Removal rates were conserved even when protists were co-incubated with multiple viruses simultaneously. Video analysis revealed that the extent of virus removal was correlated with an increase in the protists' swimming speed, a behavioral trait consistent with the protists' response to the availability of food. Protistan feeding may be driven by a virus' hydrophobicity but was independent of virus size or the presence of a lipid envelope.</p>