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Kobuviruses carried by Rattus norvegicus in Guangdong, China
Fang-Fei You1, Min-Yi Zhang1, Huan He1
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Road Guangzhou, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Background:
Murine kobuviruses (MuKV) are newly recognized picornaviruses first detected in murine rodents in the USA in 2011. Little information on MuKV epidemiology in murine rodents is available. Therefore, we conducted a survey of the prevalence and genomic characteristics of rat kobuvirus in Guangdong, China.
Results:
Fecal samples from 223 rats (Rattus norvegicus) were collected from Guangdong and kobuviruses were detected in 12.6% (28) of samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 3D and complete VP1 sequence regions showed that rat kobuvirus obtained in this study were genetically closely related to those of rat/mouse kobuvirus reported in other geographical areas. Two near full-length rat kobuvirus genomes (MM33, GZ85) were acquired and phylogenetic analysis of these revealed that they shared very high nucleotide/amino acids identity with one another (95.4%/99.4%) and a sewage-derived sequence (86.9%/93.5% and 87.5%/93.7%, respectively). Comparison with original Aichivirus A strains, such human kobuvirus, revealed amino acid identity values of approximately 80%.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that rat kobuvirus have distinctive genetic characteristics from other Aichivirus A viruses. Additionally, rat kobuvirus may spread via sewage.
Insights
Rat kobuvirus (MuKV) is prevalent in Guangdong, China, with unique genetic traits distinct from other Aichivirus A strains. This study suggests MuKV may spread through sewage systems.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Murine kobuviruses (MuKV) are newly identified picornaviruses found in rodents.
- Limited epidemiological data exists for MuKV in rodent populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and genetic makeup of rat kobuvirus in Guangdong, China.
- To understand the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of rat kobuvirus.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples from 223 rats (Rattus norvegicus) were collected and analyzed for kobuvirus presence.
- Phylogenetic analysis was performed using partial 3D and complete VP1 gene sequences.
- Near full-length genomes of two rat kobuvirus strains were sequenced.
Main Results:
- Kobuvirus was detected in 12.6% of the sampled rats.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated close genetic relationships with other known rat and mouse kobuviruses globally.
- Sequenced genomes showed high identity to each other and to a sewage-derived sequence, but distinctness from human kobuvirus (Aichivirus A).
Conclusions:
- Rat kobuvirus exhibits distinct genetic characteristics compared to other Aichivirus A viruses.
- The findings suggest that rat kobuvirus may be transmitted via sewage.
