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Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Two Novel Swine MRVs in Italy

Lara Cavicchio1, Luca Tassoni1, Gianpiero Zamperin2

  • 1Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, 35020 Padua, Italy.

Viruses
|May 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Novel reassortant swine Mammalian Orthoreoviruses (MRV) were identified in Italy, exhibiting significant genetic diversity. This discovery highlights a previously unrecognized level of variation in swine MRV strains across Europe.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mammalian Orthoreoviruses (MRV), segmented dsRNA viruses in the Reoviridae family, commonly cause asymptomatic infections in mammals.
  • Swine MRV (swMRV) has been reported in Europe, but detailed characterization, especially of reassortant strains, remains limited.
  • Previous isolations of swMRV in Europe were primarily from Austria and Italy, with a significant time gap.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform a complete molecular characterization of two novel reassortant swine MRV strains identified in Italy.
  • To investigate the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of these Italian swMRV isolates.
  • To identify unique genetic features and potential sources of reassortment.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of two reassortant swMRV strains from a single Italian farm over two years.
  • Genetic analysis of viral segments, including S1, S4, and M2, to determine serotype and reassortment events.
  • Comparative genomic analysis to assess genetic relatedness to other MRV strains from various hosts and geographical locations.

Main Results:

  • Two novel reassortant swMRVs were identified and classified as MRV3 (2016) and MRV2 (2018), sharing a common genetic backbone.
  • Significant genetic diversity was observed in the Italian MRV3 and MRV2 strains compared to previously reported swMRVs.
  • Unique amino acid signatures in the S1 protein and novel genetic groups in other genes suggest geographically related evolution and reassortment events.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first comprehensive molecular characterization of novel reassortant swMRVs in Italy and Europe.
  • The findings reveal a greater genetic diversity of swMRVs than previously recognized.
  • The unique genetic profiles suggest ongoing evolution and reassortment, with potential implications for understanding viral epidemiology.
Keywords:
MRV2MRV3novel MRV2 groupreassortmentswine MRVs

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