Two bovine hepacivirus genome sequences from U.S. cattle

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Comparative Virology
• Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

• Bovine hepacivirus (BoHV) is an emerging virus closely related to human hepatitis C virus (HCV).
• BoHV infection can cause acute and chronic liver disease in cattle.
• Previous BoHV surveillance has been limited, particularly in the United States, potentially underestimating its genetic diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the genetic diversity of Bovine hepacivirus (BoHV) in U.S. cattle.
• To report the first genomic sequences of BoHV isolates from U.S. cattle.
• To analyze the phylogenetic relationships of U.S. BoHV strains with global isolates.

Main Methods:

• Sequencing of two nearly complete BoHV genomes from beef cattle serum samples collected in Missouri.
• Phylogenetic analysis and sequence homology comparisons.

Main Results:

• Two distinct BoHV genomes were sequenced from U.S. cattle.
• One isolate (MARC/2019/60) showed high homology to genotype 1, subtype E strains from China.
• The second isolate (MARC/2019/50) represented a novel subtype within BoHV genotype 2, marking the second complete BoHV2 genome globally.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first genomic characterization of BoHV in U.S. cattle.
• The findings demonstrate the co-circulation of genetically divergent BoHV strains within the U.S. cattle population.
• This work expands the understanding of global BoHV genetic diversity and highlights the need for continued surveillance.