Recombinant Viruses from the Picornaviridae Family Occurring in Racing Pigeons.

Viruses from Picornaviridae family are known pathogens of poultry, although the information on their occurrence and pathogenicity in pigeons is scarce. In this research, efforts are made to broaden the knowledge on Megrivirus B and Pigeon picornavirus B prevalence, phylogenetic relationship with other avian picornaviruses and their possible connection with enteric disease in racing pigeons. As a result of Oxford Nanopore Sequencing, five Megrivirus and two pigeon picornavirus B-like genome sequences were recovered, among which three recombinant strains were detected. The recombinant fragments represented an average of 10.9% and 25.5% of the genome length of the Pigeon picornavirus B and Megrivirus B reference strains, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that pigeons are carriers of species-specific picornaviruses. TaqMan qPCR assays revealed 7.8% and 19.0% prevalence of Megrivirus B and 32.2% and 39.7% prevalence of Pigeon picornavirus B in the group of pigeons exhibiting signs of enteropathy and in the group of asymptomatic pigeons, respectively. In turn, digital droplet PCR showed a considerably higher number of genome copies of both viruses in sick than in asymptomatic pigeons. The results of quantitative analysis leave the role of picornaviruses in enteropathies of pigeons unclear.

Longitudinal analysis of the enteric virome in paediatric subjects from the Free State Province, South Africa, reveals early gut colonisation and temporal dynamics.

The gut of healthy neonates is devoid of viruses at birth, but rapidly becomes colonised by normal viral commensals that aid in important physiological functions like metabolism but can, in some instances, result in gastrointestinal illnesses. However, little is known about how this colonisation begins, its variability and factors shaping the gut virome composition. Thus, understanding the development, assembly, and progression of enteric viral communities over time is key. To explore early-life virome development, metagenomic sequencing was employed in faecal samples collected longitudinally from a cohort of 17 infants during their first six months of life. The gut virome analysis revealed a diverse and dynamic viral community, formed by a richness of different viruses infecting humans, non-human mammals, bacteria, and plants. Eukaryotic viruses were detected as early as one week of life, increasing in abundance and diversity over time. Most of the viruses detected are commonly associated with gastroenteritis and include members of the Caliciviridae, Picornaviridae, Astroviridae, Adenoviridae, and Sedoreoviridae families. The most common co-occurrences involved asymptomatic norovirus-parechovirus, norovirus-sapovirus, sapovirus-parechovirus, observed in at least 40 % of the samples. Majority of the plant-derived viruses detected in the infants' gut were from the Virgaviridae family. This study demonstrates the first longitudinal characterisation of the gastrointestinal virome in infants, from birth up to 6 months of age, in sub-Saharan Africa. Overall, the findings from this study delineate the composition and variability of the healthy infants' gut virome over time, which is a significant step towards understanding the dynamics and biogeography of viral communities in the infant gut.

Use of FTA card for the detection of two RNA (CSFV and SV-A) and two DNA viruses (ASFVand SuHV-1) of importance in veterinary medicine.

The FTA card has emerged as a promising alternative for nucleic acid extraction. The FTA card is a filter paper impregnated with chemicals that preserve and stabilize the genetic material present in the sample, allowing for its storage and transport at room temperature. The aim of this study was to test the card for the detection of RNA and DNA nucleic acids. Two RNA viruses (Senecavirus A and classical swine fever virus) and two DNA viruses (African swine fever virus and suid alphaherpesvirus 1) were tested, and in all cases, there was a decrease in sensitivity. The methods exhibited good repeatability and demonstrated a rapid and practical use for sample transport and nucleic acid extraction.

Co-infecting viruses of species Bovine rhinitis B virus (Picornaviridae) and Bovine nidovirus 1 (Tobaniviridae) identified for the first time from a post-mortem respiratory sample of a sheep (Ovis aries) in Hungary.

In this study, a picornavirus and a nidovirus were identified from a single available nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) sample of a freshly deceased sheep, as the only vertebrate viruses found with viral metagenomics and next-generation sequencing methods. The sample was originated from a mixed feedlot farm in Hungary where sheep and cattle were held together but in separate stalls. Most of the sheep had respiratory signs (coughing and increased respiratory effort) at the time of sampling. Other NPS were not, but additional enteric samples were collected from sheep (n = 27) and cattle (n = 11) of the same farm at that time. The complete/nearly complete genomes of the identified viruses were determined using RT-PCR and Nanopore (MinION-Flonge) / Dye-terminator sequencing techniques. The results of detailed genomic and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the identified picornavirus most likely belongs to a type 4 genotype of species Bovine rhinitis B virus (BRBV-4, OR885914) of genus Aphthovirus, family Picornaviridae while the ovine nidovirus (OvNV, OR885915) - as a novel variant - could belong to the recently created Bovine nidovirus 1 (BoNV) species of genus Bostovirus, family Tobaniviridae. None of the identified viruses were detectable in the enteric samples using RT-PCR and generic screening primer pairs. Both viruses are well-known respiratory pathogens of cattle, but their presence was not demonstrated before in other animals, like sheep. Furthermore, neither BRBV-4 nor BoNVs were investigated in European cattle and/or sheep flocks, therefore it cannot be determined whether the presence of these viruses in sheep was a result of a single host species switch/spillover event or these viruses are circulating in not just cattle but sheep populations as well. Further studies required to investigate the spread of these viruses in Hungarian and European sheep and cattle populations and to identify their pathogenic potential in sheep.

Isolation, Characterization, and Molecular Detection of Porcine Sapelovirus.

Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) is an important emerging pathogen associated with a wide variety of diseases in swine, including acute diarrhoea, respiratory distress, skin lesions, severe neurological disorders, and reproductive failure. Although PSV is widespread, serological assays for field-based epidemiological studies are not yet available. Here, four PSV strains were recovered from diarrheic piglets, and electron microscopy revealed virus particles with a diameter of ~32 nm. Analysis of the entire genome sequence revealed that the genomes of PSV isolates ranged 7569-7572 nucleotides in length. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolated viruses were classified together with strains from China. Additionally, monoclonal antibodies for the recombinant PSV-VP1 protein were developed to specifically detect PSV infection in cells, and we demonstrated that isolated PSVs could only replicate in cells of porcine origin. Using recombinant PSV-VP1 protein as the coating antigen, we developed an indirect ELISA for the first time for the detection of PSV antibodies in serum. A total of 516 swine serum samples were tested, and PSV positive rate was 79.3%. The virus isolates, monoclonal antibodies and indirect ELISA developed would be useful for further understanding the pathophysiology of PSV, developing new diagnostic assays, and investigating the epidemiology of the PSV.

First Human Cosavirus Detection From Cerebrospinal Fluid in Hospitalized Children With Aseptic Meningitis and Encephalitis in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: Human cosavirus (HCosV) is a newly recognized virus that seems to be partly related to nonpolio flaccid paralysis and acute gastroenteritis in pediatric patients. However, the relationship between HCosV and diseases in humans is unclear. To assess an investigation for the occurrence of HCosV among pediatric patients involved in meningitis and encephalitis, we implemented a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for detection and quantification of HCosV in stool specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a total of 160 cerebrospinal fluid samples from September 2019 to October 2020 were collected from presenting pediatric patients with meningitis and encephalitis in a Karaj hospital, Iran. After viral RNA extraction, the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify the 5'Un-Translated Region region of the HCosV genome and viral load was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 160 samples tested, the HCosV genomic RNA was detected in 2/160 (1.25%) of samples. The minimum viral load of HCosV was 3.5 × 103 copies/mL from 4 years male patient. The maximum viral load was determined to be 2.4 × 105 copies/mL in one sample obtained from 3.5 years female patient. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first documentation of HCosV detection in cerebrospinal fluid samples that better demonstrates relation of HCosV with neurologic diseases including meningitis and encephalitis. Also, these results indicate that HCosV has been circulating among Iranian pediatric patients.

A Novel Picornavirus Discovered in White Leg Shrimp Penaeus vannamei.

Global shrimp farming is increasingly threatened by various emerging viruses. In the present study, a novel picornavirus, Penaeus vannamei picornavirus (PvPV), was discovered in moribund White leg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) collected from farm ponds in China in 2015. Similar to most picornaviruses, PvPV is non-enveloped RNA virus, with a particle diameter of approximately 30 nm. The sequence of the positive single-stranded RNA genome with a length of 10,550 nts was characterized by using genome sequencing and reverse transcription PCR. The existence of PvPV related proteins was further proved by confirmation of viral amino acid sequences, using mass spectrometry analysis. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length genomic sequence revealed that PvPV was more closely related to the Wenzhou shrimp virus 8 than to any other dicistroviruses in the order Picornavirales. Genomic sequence conservative domain prediction analysis showed that the PvPV genome encoded a large tegument protein UL36, which was unique among the known dicistroviruses and different from other dicistroviruses. According to these molecular features, we proposed that PvPV is a new species in the family Dicistroviridae. This study reported the first whole-genome sequence of a novel and distinct picornavirus in crustaceans, PvPV, and suggests that further studies of PvPV would be helpful in understanding its evolution and potential pathogenicity, as well as in developing diagnostic techniques.

Novel Picornavirus Detected in Wild Deer: Identification, Genomic Characterisation, and Prevalence in Australia.

The use of high-throughput sequencing has facilitated virus discovery in wild animals and helped determine their potential threat to humans and other animals. We report the complete genome sequence of a novel picornavirus identified by next-generation sequencing in faeces from Australian fallow deer. Genomic analysis revealed that this virus possesses a typical picornavirus-like genomic organisation of 7554 nt with a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein of 2225 amino acids. Based on the amino acid identity comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the P1, 2C, 3CD, and VP1 regions, this novel picornavirus was closely related to but distinct from known bopiviruses detected to date. This finding suggests that deer/bopivirus could belong to a novel species within the genus Bopivirus, tentatively designated as "Bopivirus C". Epidemiological investigation of 91 deer (71 fallow, 14 sambar and 6 red deer) and 23 cattle faecal samples showed that six fallow deer and one red deer (overall prevalence 7.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8-15.0%) tested positive, but deer/bopivirus was undetectable in sambar deer and cattle. In addition, phylogenetic and sequence analyses indicate that the same genotype is circulating in south-eastern Australia. To our knowledge, this study reports for the first time a deer-origin bopivirus and the presence of a member of genus Bopivirus in Australia. Further epidemiological and molecular studies are needed to investigate the geographic distribution and pathogenic potential of this novel Bopivirus species in other domestic and wild animal species.

Identification and genome analysis of a novel picornavirus from captive belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in China.

The discovery of new viruses is important for predicting their potential threats to the health of humans and other animals. A novel picornavirus was identified from oral, throat, and anal swab samples collected from belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), from Dalian Sun Asia Tourism Holding Co., China, between January and December 2018, using a metagenomics approach. The genome of this novel PicoV-HMU-1 strain was 8197 nucleotides (nt) in length, with a open reading frame (from 1091 to 8074 nt) that encoded a polyprotein precursor of 2328 amino acids. Moreover, the genomic length and GC content of PicoV-HMU-1 were within the ranges found in other picornaviruses, and the genome organization was also similar. Nevertheless, PicoV-HMU-1 had a lower amino acid identity and distinct host species compared with other members of the Picornaviridae family. Phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the P1 and 3D amino acid sequences of PicoV-HMU-1 along with representative members of the Picornaviridae family, which showed that PicoV-HMU-1 was related to unclassified bat picornaviruses groups. These findings suggest that the PicoV-HMU-1 strain represents a potentially novel genus of picornavirus. These data can enhance our understanding of the picornavirus genetic diversity and evolution.

No Exchange of Picornaviruses in Vietnam between Humans and Animals in a High-Risk Cohort with Close Contact despite High Prevalence and Diversity.

Hospital-based and community-based 'high-risk cohort' studies investigating humans at risk of zoonotic infection due to occupational or residential exposure to animals were conducted in Vietnam, with diverse viruses identified from faecal samples collected from humans, domestic and wild animals. In this study, we focus on the positive-sense RNA virus family Picornaviridae, investigating the prevalence, diversity, and potential for cross-species transmission. Through metagenomic sequencing, we found picornavirus contigs in 23% of samples, belonging to 15 picornavirus genera. Prevalence was highest in bats (67%) while diversity was highest in rats (nine genera). In addition, 22% of the contigs were derived from novel viruses: Twelve phylogenetically distinct clusters were observed in rats of which seven belong to novel species or types in the genera Hunnivirus, Parechovirus, Cardiovirus, Mosavirus and Mupivirus; four distinct clusters were found in bats, belonging to one novel parechovirus species and one related to an unclassified picornavirus. There was no evidence for zoonotic transmission in our data. Our study provides an improved knowledge of the diversity and prevalence of picornaviruses, including a variety of novel picornaviruses in rats and bats. We highlight the importance of monitoring the human-animal interface for possible spill-over events.

Description of the first isolates of guinea fowl corona and picornaviruses obtained from a case of guinea fowl fulminating enteritis.

Guinea fowl fulminating enteritis has been reported in France since the 1970s. In 2014, a coronavirus was identified and appeared as a possible viral pathogen involved in the disease. In the present study, intestinal content from a guinea fowl involved in a new case of the disease in 2017 was analysed by deep sequencing, revealing the presence of a guinea fowl coronavirus (GfCoV) and a picornavirus (GfPic). Serial passage assays into the intra-amniotic cavity of 13-day-old specific pathogen-free chicken eggs and 20-day-old conventional guinea fowl eggs were attempted. In chicken eggs, isolation assays failed, but in guinea fowl eggs, both viruses were successfully obtained. Furthermore, two GfCoV and two GfPic isolates were obtained from the same bird but from different sections of its intestines. This shows that using eggs of the same species, in which the virus has been detected, can be the key for successful isolation. The consensus sequence of the full-length genomes of both GfCoV isolates was highly similar, and correlated to those previously described in terms of genome organization, ORF length and phylogenetic clustering. According to full-length genome analysis and the structure of the Internal Ribosome Entry Site, both GfPic isolates belong to the Anativirus genus and specifically the species Anativirus B. The availability of the first isolates of GfCoV and GfPic will now provide a means of assessing their pathogenicity in guinea fowl in controlled experimental conditions and to assess whether they are primary viral pathogens of the disease "guinea fowl fulminating enteritis".RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSFirst isolation of guinea fowl coronaviruses and picornaviruses.Eggs homologous to the infected species are key for isolation.Isolates available to precisely evaluate the virus roles in fulminating enteritis.First full-length genome sequences of guinea fowl picornaviruses.

Identification of boosepivirus B in U.S. calves.

Bovine enteric disease has a complex etiology that can include viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens and is a significant source of losses due to morbidity and mortality. Boosepivirus was identified in calves with enteric disease with unclear etiology in Japan in 2009 and has not been reported elsewhere. Metagenomic sequencing and PCR here identified boosepivirus in bovine enteric disease diagnostic submissions from six states in the USA with 98% sequence identity to members of the species Boosepivirus B. In all cases, boosepivirus was identified as a coinfection with the established pathogens bovine coronavirus, bovine rotavirus, and cryptosporidia. Further research is needed to determine the clinical significance of boosepivirus infection.

A proposed division of the family Picornaviridae into subfamilies based on phylogenetic relationships and functional genomic organization.

The highly diverse virus family Picornaviridae presently comprises 68 approved genera with 158 species plus many unassigned viruses. In order to better match picornavirus taxonomy to the functional and genomic groupings between genera, the establishment of five subfamilies (Caphthovirinae, Kodimesavirinae, Ensavirinae, Paavivirinae and Heptrevirinae) is proposed. The subfamilies are defined by phylogenetic analyses of 3CD (precursor of virus-encoded proteinase and polymerase) and P1 (capsid protein precursor) coding sequences and comprise between 7 and 22 currently approved virus genera. Due to the high within-subfamily and between-subfamily divergences of the picornavirus genera, p-distance estimates are unsuited for the demarcation of subfamilies. Members of the proposed subfamilies typically show some commonalities in their genome organisations, including VP1/2A cleavage mechanisms and possession of leader proteins. Other features, such as internal ribosomal entry site types, are more variable within and between members of genera. Some subfamilies are characterised by homology of proteins 1A, 2A, 2B and 3A encoded by members, which do not belong to the canon of orthologous picornavirus proteins. The proposed addition of a subfamily layer to the taxonomy of picornaviruses provides a valuable additional organisational level to the family that acknowledges the existence of higher-level evolutionary groupings of its component genera.

New Parvoviruses and Picornavirus in Tissues and Feces of Foals with Interstitial Pneumonia.

Six foals with interstitial pneumonia of undetermined etiology from Southern California were analyzed by viral metagenomics. Spleen, lung, and colon content samples obtained during necropsy from each animal were pooled, and nucleic acids from virus-like particles enriched for deep sequencing. The recently described equine copiparvovirus named eqcopivirus, as well as three previously uncharacterized viruses, were identified. The complete ORFs genomes of two closely related protoparvoviruses, and of a bocaparvovirus, plus the partial genome of a picornavirus were assembled. The parvoviruses were classified as members of new ungulate protoparvovirus and bocaparvovirus species in the Parvoviridae family. The picornavirus was classified as a new species in the Salivirus genus of the Picornaviridae family. Spleen, lung, and colon content samples from each foal were then tested for these viral genomes by nested PCR and RT-PCR. When present, parvoviruses were detected in both feces and spleen. The picornavirus, protoparvovirus, and eqcopivirus genomes were detected in the lungs of one animal each. Three foals were co-infected with the picornavirus and either a protoparvovirus, bocaparvovirus, or eqcopivirus. Two other foals were infected with a protoparvovirus only. No viral infection was detected in one animal. The complete ORFs of the first equine protoparvoviruses and bocaparvovirus, the partial ORF of the third equine picornavirus, and their detection in tissues of foals with interstitial pneumonia are described here. Testing the involvement of these viruses in fatal interstitial pneumonia or other equine diseases will require larger epidemiological and/or inoculation studies.

Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking Perturbation Induced by Picornaviruses.

Picornaviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses. Even though replication and translation of their genome take place in the cytoplasm, these viruses evolved different strategies to disturb nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of host proteins and RNA. The major targets of picornavirus are the phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-nucleoporins, which form a mesh in the central channel of the nuclear pore complex through which protein cargos and karyopherins are actively transported in both directions. Interestingly, while enteroviruses use the proteolytic activity of their 2A protein to degrade FG-nucleoporins, cardioviruses act by triggering phosphorylation of these proteins by cellular kinases. By targeting the nuclear pore complex, picornaviruses recruit nuclear proteins to the cytoplasm, where they increase viral genome translation and replication; they affect nuclear translocation of cytoplasmic proteins such as transcription factors that induce innate immune responses and retain host mRNA in the nucleus thereby preventing cell emergency responses and likely making the ribosomal machinery available for translation of viral RNAs.

Emergence of a novel recombinant USA/GBI29/2015-like strain of Seneca Valley virus in Guangdong Province, 2018.

Since June 2017, several outbreaks of a Seneca Valley virus (SVV) USA/GBI29/2015-like strain have emerged in pigs in China. In our study, we successfully isolated the SVV strain CH-GDZQ-2018, confirmed by immunofluorescence and Western blot assays. Phylogenetic and recombinant analyses showed that the USA/GBI29/2015-like CH-GDZQ-2018 strain was the result of recombination between epidemic strains local to Guangdong, showing that SVV has undergone evolution in China.

Depuis juin 2017, plusieurs foyers d'une souche apparentée au virus de la vallée de Seneca (SVV) USA/GBI29/2015 sont apparus chez des porcs en Chine. Dans la présente étude, nous avons isolé avec succès la souche SVV CH-GDZQ-2018, confirmée par des tests d'immunofluorescence et d'immunobuvardage. Des analyses phylogénétiques et recombinantes ont montré que la souche CH-GDZQ-2018 de type USA/GBI29/2015 était le résultat d'une recombinaison entre des souches épidémiques locales au Guangdong, indiquant une évolution du SVV en Chine.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Novel picornavirus (family Picornaviridae) from freshwater fishes (Perca fluviatilis, Sander lucioperca, and Ameiurus melas) in Hungary.

In this study, a novel picornavirus (perchPV/M9/2015/HUN, GenBank accession no. MW590713) was detected in eight (12.9%) out of 62 faecal samples collected from three (Perca fluviatilis, Sander lucioperca, and Ameiurus melas) out of 13 freshwater fish species tested and genetically characterized using viral metagenomics and RT-PCR methods. The complete genome of perchPV/M9/2015/HUN is 7,741 nt long, excluding the poly(A) tail, and has the genome organization 5'UTRIRES-?/P1(VP0-VP3-VP1)/P2(2A1NPG↓P-2A2H-box/NC-2B-2C)/P3(3A-3BVPg-3CPro-3DPol)/3'UTR-poly(A). The P1, 2C, and 3CD proteins had 41.4%, 38.1%, and 47.3% amino acid sequence identity to the corresponding proteins of Wenling lepidotrigla picornavirus (MG600079), eel picornavirus (NC_022332), and Wenling pleuronectiformes picornavirus (MG600098), respectively, as the closest relatives in the genus Potamipivirus. PerchPV/M9/2015/HUN represents a potential novel fish-origin species in an unassigned genus in the family Picornaviridae.

Proposed genotype definition of Porcine sapelovirus.

Conventionally, Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) has been considered to comprise a single geno- type, PSV-1; however, a potentially novel member of PSV was recently discovered. In the present study, we propose a genotype definition of PSV based on phylogenetic and genetic analyses of the polyprotein, P1, and VP1 genes of available PSV sequences. Two genotypes, with proposed names PSV-1 and PSV-2, were identified. Moreover, the cut-off values (number of differences per site between amino acid sequences) for the definition of genotypes were established to be 0.1115 (polyprotein), 0.176 (P1), and 0.272 (VP1). The findings of this study are expected to enrich knowledge of PSV classification.

A comparative analysis of parechovirus protein structures with other picornaviruses.

Parechoviruses belong to the genus Parechovirus within the family Picornaviridae and are non-enveloped icosahedral viruses with a single-stranded RNA genome. Parechoviruses include human and animal pathogens classified into six species. Those that infect humans belong to the Parechovirus A species and can cause infections ranging from mild gastrointestinal or respiratory illness to severe neonatal sepsis. There are no approved antivirals available to treat parechovirus (nor any other picornavirus) infections. In this parechovirus review, we focus on the cleaved protein products resulting from the polyprotein processing after translation comparing and contrasting their known or predicted structures and functions to those of other picornaviruses. The review also includes our original analysis from sequence and structure prediction. This review highlights significant structural differences between parechoviral and other picornaviral proteins, suggesting that parechovirus drug development should specifically be directed to parechoviral targets.

RNA virome abundance and diversity is associated with host age in a bird species.

Despite the ongoing interest in virus discovery, little is known about the factors that shape communities of viruses within individual hosts. Here, we address how virus communities might be impacted by the age of the hosts they infect, using total RNA sequencing to reveal the RNA viromes of different age groups of Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres). From oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs we identified 14 viruses likely infecting birds, 11 of which were novel, including members of the Reoviridae, Astroviridae, and Picornaviridae. Strikingly, 12 viruses identified were from juvenile birds sampled in the first year of their life, compared to only two viruses in adult birds. Both viral abundance and alpha diversity were marginally higher in juvenile than adult birds. As well as informing studies of virus ecology, that host age might be associated with viral composition is an important consideration for the future surveillance of novel and emerging viruses.