Divide-and-conquer: machine-learning integrates mammalian and viral traits with network features to predict virus-mammal associations

Maya Wardeh (), Marcus S. C. Blagrove, Kieran J. Sharkey and Matthew Baylis
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Maya Wardeh: Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool
Marcus S. C. Blagrove: Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool
Kieran J. Sharkey: Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool
Matthew Baylis: Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Our knowledge of viral host ranges remains limited. Completing this picture by identifying unknown hosts of known viruses is an important research aim that can help identify and mitigate zoonotic and animal-disease risks, such as spill-over from animal reservoirs into human populations. To address this knowledge-gap we apply a divide-and-conquer approach which separates viral, mammalian and network features into three unique perspectives, each predicting associations independently to enhance predictive power. Our approach predicts over 20,000 unknown associations between known viruses and susceptible mammalian species, suggesting that current knowledge underestimates the number of associations in wild and semi-domesticated mammals by a factor of 4.3, and the average potential mammalian host-range of viruses by a factor of 3.2. In particular, our results highlight a significant knowledge gap in the wild reservoirs of important zoonotic and domesticated mammals’ viruses: specifically, lyssaviruses, bornaviruses and rotaviruses.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24085-w

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