RESUMO
BACKGROUND: On the basis of the published literature, it is still difficult to draw conclusions as to whether picobirnavirus (PBV) circulation is influenced by host species restriction. OBJECTIVE: To provide data regarding the genetic relatedness between porcine and human PBV strains present in Argentina as a means of defining the host range and epidemiology of these viruses. METHODS: Fecal specimens (n = 74) collected from kidney transplant patients (n = 55) and piglets (n = 19) were analyzed by RT-PCR using primers designed to amplify the porcine PBV genomic segment 2. Amplified sequences were further examined phylogenetically. RESULTS: By RT-PCR amplification 14 of 74 samples rendered amplicons of the expected 282 base pair size (8 detected from humans and 6 from pigs). Eleven amplicons (5 from humans and 6 from pigs) were selected for sequencing and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The eleven amplicons revealed similarities between human and porcine viral sequences that ranged between 94.7 and 100% in identity. Phylogenetic analysis identified these 11 strains as PBV genogroup I-related strains and showed that they grouped as a single separate clade distinct from other PBV strains detected in humans and porcine from other countries. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that closely related PBV strains infect both pigs and humans in Argentina and that the epidemiology of PBVs is not species restricted.