Persistence of naturally occurring and genetically modified Choristoneura fumiferana nucleopolyhedroviruses in outdoor aquatic microcosms
2008
Holmes, Stephen B. | Fick, William E. | Kreutzweiser, David P. | Ebling, Peter M. | England, Laura S. | Trevors, Jack T.
BACKGROUND: To assess the persistence of genetically modified and naturally occurring baculoviruses in an aquatic environment, replicate (three) outdoor, aquatic microcosms were spiked with spruce budworm viruses [Ireland strain of Choristoneura fumiferana multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (CfMNPV) and the recombinant CfMNPVegt⁻/lacZ⁺] at a rate of 1.86 x 10¹⁰ occlusion bodies (OBs) m⁻² of surface area. The presence of virus in water samples collected at various times after inoculation was determined by PCR amplification of baculoviral DNA extracted from OBs.RESULTS: Although UV radiation rapidly degrades baculoviruses under natural conditions, both viruses persisted above the level of detection (>100 OBs 450 μL⁻¹ of natural pond water) for at least 1 year post-inoculation, with little difference between the viruses in their patterns of persistence.CONCLUSION: The present microcosm study suggests that occlusion bodies of baculoviruses can persist in the flocculent layer of natural ponds. On disturbance, OBs could re-enter the main water column and thus be available for transport to new locations. Implications for environmental risk assessment are discussed.
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