Candidate New Rotavirus Species in Sheltered Dogs, Hungary

We identified unusual rotavirus strains in fecal specimens from sheltered dogs in Hungary by viral metagenomics. The novel rotavirus species displayed limited genome sequence homology to representatives of the 8 rotavirus species, A–H, and qualifies as a candidate new rotavirus species that we tentatively named Rotavirus I

Genomic Diversity of CRESS DNA Viruses in the Eukaryotic Virome of Swine Feces

Replication-associated protein (Rep)-encoding single-stranded DNA (CRESS DNA) viruses are a diverse group of viruses, and their persistence in the environment has been studied for over a decade. However, the persistence of CRESS DNA viruses in herds of domestic animals has, in some cases, serious economic consequence. In this study, we describe the diversity of CRESS DNA viruses identified during the metagenomics analysis of fecal samples collected from a single swine herd with apparently healthy animals. A total of nine genome sequences were assembled and classified into two different groups (CRESSV1 and CRESSV2) of the Cirlivirales order (Cressdnaviricota phylum). The novel CRESS DNA viral sequences shared 85.8–96.8% and 38.1–94.3% amino acid sequence identities for the Rep and putative capsid protein sequences compared to their respective counterparts with extant GenBank record. Data presented here show evidence for simultaneous infection of swine herds with multiple novel CRESS DNA viruses, including po-circo-like viruses and fur seal feces-associated circular DNA viruses. Given that viral genomes with similar sequence and structure have been detected in swine fecal viromes from independent studies, investigation of the association between presence of CRESS DNA viruses and swine health conditions seems to be justified

Novel Parvovirus Related to Primate Bufaviruses in Dogs

A novel protoparvovirus species, related genetically to human bufaviruses, was identified in dogs with respiratory signs. The canine bufavirus was distantly related to the well-known canine protoparvovirus, canine parvovirus type 2, sharing low amino acid identities in the nonstructural protein 1 (40.6%) and in the capsid protein 1 (33.4%). By screening collections of fecal, nasal, and oropharyngeal samples obtained from juvenile dogs (<1 year of age), canine bufavirus DNA appeared as a common component of canine virome. The virus was common in the stool samples of dogs with or without enteric disease and in the nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples of dogs with respiratory signs. However, the virus was not detected in nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples from animals without clinical signs

The fecal virome of domesticated animals

Next-generation sequencing is a new research tool in our hands helping us to explore still unknown fields of human and veterinary virology. Metagenomic analysis has enabled the discovery of putative novel pathogens and the identification of the etiologic agents of several diseases, solving long-standing mysteries caused by divergent viruses. This approach has been used in several studies investigating fecal samples of livestock, and companion animal species, providing information on the diversity of animal fecal virome, helping the elucidation of the etiology of diarrheal disease in animals and identifying potential zoonotic and emerging viruses

Genome analysis of canine astroviruses reveals genetic heterogeneity and suggests possible inter-species transmission

tCanine astrovirus RNA was detected in the stools of 17/63 (26.9%) samples, using either a broadly reactiveconsensus RT-PCR for astroviruses or random RT-PCR coupled with massive deep sequencing. The com-plete or nearly complete genome sequence of five canine astroviruses was reconstructed that allowedmapping the genome organization and to investigate the genetic diversity of these viruses. The genomewas about 6.6 kb in length and contained three open reading frames (ORFs) flanked by a 5'UTR, and a 3'UTR plus a poly-A tail. ORF1a and ORF1b overlapped by 43 nucleotides while the ORF2 overlapped by 8nucleotides with the 3'end of ORF1b. Upon genome comparison, four strains (HUN/2012/2, HUN/2012/6,HUN/2012/115, and HUN/2012/135) were more related genetically to each other and to UK canine astro-viruses (88–96% nt identity), whilst strain HUN/2012/126 was more divergent (75–76% nt identity). In theORF1b and ORF2, strains HUN/2012/2, HUN/2012/6, and HUN/2012/135 were related genetically to othercanine astroviruses identified formerly in Europe and China, whereas strain HUN/2012/126 was relatedgenetically to a divergent canine astrovirus strain, ITA/2010/Zoid. For one canine astrovirus, HUN/2012/8,only a 3.2 kb portion of the genome, at the 3' end, could be determined. Interestingly, this strain possessedunique genetic signatures (including a longer ORF1b/ORF2 overlap and a longer 3'UTR) and it was diver-gent in both ORF1b and ORF2 from all other canine astroviruses, with the highest nucleotide sequenceidentity (68% and 63%, respectively) to a mink astrovirus, thus suggesting a possible event of interspeciestransmission. The genetic heterogeneity of canine astroviruses may pose a challenge for the diagnosticsand for future prophylaxis strategies