Chapparvoviruses occur in at least three vertebrate classes and have a broad biogeographic distribution

Chapparvoviruses are a highly divergent group of parvoviruses (family Parvoviridae) that have recently been identified via metagenomic sampling of animal faeces. Here we report the sequences of six novel chapparvoviruses identified through both metagenomic sampling of bat tissues and in silico screening of published vertebrate genome assemblies. The novel chapparvoviruses share several distinctive genomic features, and group together as a robustly supported monophyletic clade in phylogenetic trees. Our data indicate that chapparvoviruses have a broad host range in vertebrates, and a global distribution

Vírus da cinomose canina: detecção do RNA viral pelo Nested RT-PCR em cães com diagnóstico clínico

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a pathogen which affects dogs and causes severe disease leading to death. Dogs infected with CDV can be diagnosed by RNA detection by Nested PCR technique. The following study proposed to valuate CDV RNA in blood, urine and saliva samples. The Nested-PCR technique was able to detect CDV RNA in different types of biologic samples. The higher number of positive results was obtained in urine samples.O vírus da cinomose canina (CDV) é um patógeno que afeta cães, causando doença grave e que pode levar a morte. Os cães infectados pelo CDV podem ser diagnosticados pela detecção do RNA utilizando-se a técnica de Nested-PCR. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o RNA do CDV no sangue, urina e saliva em cães com diagnóstico clínico de cinomose. A técnica de Nested-PCR foi capaz de detectar o RNA em diferentes tipos de amostras biológicas. Obteve-se um maior número de resultados positivos em amostras de urina

The importance of viral load in the severity of acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized infants

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between viral load and the clinical evolution of bronchiolitis is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to analyze viral loads in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis. METHODS: We tested for the presence of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) or human rhinovirus (HRV) using quantitative molecular tests of nasopharyngeal secretions and recorded severity outcomes. RESULTS: We included 70 infants [49 (70%) HRSV, 9 (13%) HRV and 12 (17%) HRSV+HRV]. There were no differences among the groups according to the outcomes analyzed individually. Clinical scores showed greater severity in the isolated HRSV infection group. A higher isolated HRSV viral load was associated with more prolonged ventilatory support, oxygen therapy, and hospitalization days, even after adjustment for the age and period of nasopharyngeal secretion collection. In the co-infection groups, there was a longer duration of oxygen therapy when the HRSV viral load was predominant. Isolated HRV infection and co-infection with a predominance of HRV were not associated with severity. CONCLUSION: Higher HRSV viral load in isolated infections and the predominance of HRSV in co-infections, independent of viral load, were associated with greater severity. These results contribute to the development of therapeutic and prophylactic approaches and a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of bronchiolitis

Pingu virus : a new picornavirus in penguins from Antarctica

Picornaviridae family comprises single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses distributed into forty-seven genera. Picornaviruses have a broad host range and geographic distribution in all continents. In this study, we applied a high-throughput sequencing approach to examine the presence of picornaviruses in penguins from King George Island, Antarctica. We discovered and characterized a novel picornavirus from cloacal swab samples of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua), which we tentatively named Pingu virus. Also, using RT-PCR we detected this virus in 12.9 per cent of cloacal swabs derived from P. papua, but not in samples from adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) or chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus). Attempts to isolate the virus in a chicken cell line and in embryonated chicken eggs were unsuccessful. Our results expand the viral diversity, host range, and geographical distribution of the Picornaviridae52FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP13/14929-1; 17/13981-0; 12/24150-9; 15/05778-5; 14/20851-8, 16/01414-1; 06/00572-0This work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brazil (Grant no. 13/14929-1, and Scholarships nos. 17/13981-0; 12/24150-9; 15/05778-5; 14/20851-8; 16/01414-1; 06/00572-0). P.R.M. was supported by the Medical Research Council of the UK (Grant no. MC_UU_120/14/9

Novel parvoviruses from wild and domestic animals in Brazil provide new insights into parvovirus distribution and diversity

Parvoviruses (family Parvoviridae) are small, single-stranded DNA viruses. Many parvoviral pathogens of medical, veterinary and ecological importance have been identified. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to investigate the diversity of parvoviruses infecting wild and domestic animals in Brazil. We identified 21 parvovirus sequences (including twelve nearly complete genomes and nine partial genomes) in samples derived from rodents, bats, opossums, birds and cattle in Pernambuco, São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul states. These sequences were investigated using phylogenetic and distance-based approaches and were thereby classified into eight parvovirus species (six of which have not been described previously), representing six distinct genera in the subfamily Parvovirinae. Our findings extend the known biogeographic range of previously characterized parvovirus species and the known host range of three parvovirus genera (Dependovirus, Aveparvovirus and Tetraparvovirus). Moreover, our investigation provides a window into the ecological dynamics of parvovirus infections in vertebrates, revealing that many parvovirus genera contain well-defined sub-lineages that circulate widely throughout the world within particular taxonomic groups of hosts

Typical epidemiology of respiratory virus infections in a Brazilian slum

Host population size, density, immune status, age structure, and contact rates are critical elements of virus epidemiology. Slum populations stand out from other settings and may present differences in the epidemiology of acute viral infections. We collected nasopharyngeal specimens from 282 children aged ≤5 years with acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) during 2005 to 2006 in one of the largest Brazilian slums. We conducted real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for 16 respiratory viruses, nested RT-PCR-based typing of rhinoviruses (HRVs), and collected clinical symptoms. Viruses were common causes of respiratory disease; with ≥1 virus being detected in 65.2% of patients. We detected 15 different viruses during 1 year with a predominance of HRV (33.0%) and human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV, 12.1%) infections, and a high rate of viral coinfections (28.3%). We observed seasonality of hRSV, HRV and human coronavirus infections, more severe symptoms in hRSV and influenza virus (FLU) infections and prolonged circulation of seven HRV clusters likely representing distinct serotypes according to genomic sequence distances. Potentially unusual findings included the absence of human metapneumovirus detections and lack of typical FLU seasonal patterns, which may be linked to the population size and density of the slum. Nonetheless, most epidemiological patterns were similar to other studies globally, suggesting surprising similarities of virus-associated ARI across highly diverse settings and a complex impact of population characteristics on respiratory virus epidemiology

Vírus da cinomose canina: detecção do RNA viral pelo Nested RT-PCR em cães com diagnóstico clínico

O vírus da cinomose canina (CDV) é um patógeno que afeta cães, causando doença grave e que pode levar a morte. Os cães infectados pelo CDV podem ser diagnosticados pela detecção do RNA utilizando-se a técnica de Nested-PCR. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o RNA do CDV no sangue, urina e saliva em cães com diagnóstico clínico de cinomose. A técnica de Nested-PCR foi capaz de detectar o RNA em diferentes tipos de amostras biológicas. Obteve-se um maior número de resultados positivos em amostras de urina

Discovery of novel astrovirus and calicivirus identified in ruddy turnstones in Brazil

Birds are the natural reservoir of viruses with zoonotic potential, as well as contributing to the evolution, emergence, and dissemination of novel viruses. In this study, we applied a high-throughput screening approach to identify the diversity of viruses in 118 samples of birds captured between October 2006 to October 2010 in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. We found nearly complete genomes of novel species of astrovirus and calicivirus in cloacal swabs of ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres) collected in Coroa do Avião islet, Pernambuco State. These viruses are positive-sense single-stranded RNA with a genome of ~7 to 8 kb, and were designated as Ruddy turnstone astrovirus (RtAstV) and Ruddy turnstone calicivirus (RTCV), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RtAstV and RTCV grouped in a monophyletic clade with viruses identified from poultry samples (i.e., chicken, goose, and turkey), including viruses associated with acute nephritis in chickens. Attempts of viral propagation in monkey and chicken cell lines for both viruses were unsuccessful. Also, we found genomes related with viral families that infect invertebrates and plants, suggesting that they might be ingested in the birds' diet. In sum, these findings shed new light on the diversity of viruses in migratory birds with the notable characterization of a novel astrovirus and calicivirus

Krykféie dicistrovirus: a novel dicistrovirus in velvety free-tailed bats from Brazil

The Dicistroviridae family comprises positive single-stranded RNA viruses that are classified into Picornavirales order. These viruses are identified in arthropod hosts, including some having devastating economic consequences. Here, we described and characterized a novel nearly complete dicistrovirus genome identified in liver samples of velvety free-tailed bats (Molossus molossus) collected in June 2010 in Araçatuba city, São Paulo State, Brazil. This novel virus presents a genome of 9262 nucleotides in length and a typical dicistrovirus genome organization. Based on our phylogenetic analysis and ICTV criteria, we propose this virus as a novel species into the Triatovirus genus. Attempts of viral propagation in Vero E6 and C6/36 cell lines were unsuccessful. The novel dicistrovirus was detected only in one out of nine liver bat samples, representing for the first time an internal organ detection from a representative of this virus family