A Novel Polycipiviridae Virus Identified in Pteropus lylei Stools

Sarah Temmam1, Vibol Hul2, Thomas Bigot1,3

  • 1Institut Pasteur, Biology of Infection Unit, Inserm U1117, Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Paris, France.

Insights

Researchers identified a novel virus related to the Polycipiviridae family in bat feces. This finding expands the known host range for this viral family beyond arthropods.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Arthropod-borne viruses
  • Viral genomics

Background:

  • The viral family Polycipiviridae, within the order Picornavirales, is characterized by unique genome structures and phylogenetic positions.
  • Previously, Polycipiviridae viruses have exclusively been identified in arthropod hosts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first full genome sequence of a virus distantly related to the Polycipiviridae family.
  • To investigate the presence of novel viral lineages in non-arthropod hosts.

Main Methods:

  • Metagenomic sequencing of viral RNA from frugivorous bat stool samples.
  • Bioinformatic analysis for viral genome assembly and phylogenetic reconstruction.

Main Results:

  • Identification and full genome sequencing of a novel polycipivirus-related virus.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicates a distant relationship to known Polycipiviridae members.
  • The virus was detected in bat feces, expanding the known host spectrum beyond arthropods.

Conclusions:

  • This discovery represents the first identification of a polycipivirus-related virus in a mammalian host (bats).
  • The findings challenge the previous understanding of Polycipiviridae host specificity.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the diversity and evolutionary history of this viral family.

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