New Parvovirus and Other Swab-Associated Viruses Identified in the Eurasian Goshawk (Astur gentilis)

Cloacal swabs were collected from 12 Eurasian goshawk chicks during routine veterinary inspections to evaluate the gut-associated virome of goshawks used for falconry. The material was used for metagenomic screening with high-throughput sequencing. Sequences belonging to several viral families (Poxviridae, Circoviridae, Anelloviridae, Retroviridae, Parvoviridae and Astroviridae) were detected and their occurrence differed across samples G1-G12. Most of the identified sequences were highly similar to those of viruses that infect poultry, suggesting a probable alimentary transmission route. Two complete genomes of closely related chicken astroviruses, most likely strains belonging to subgroup Biii, were identified. Their ORF2 proteins shared 98.78% amino acid identity. Another complete genome was identified as that of pigeon circovirus with 98.96% nucleotide identity to a strain previously reported from China. A parvovirus genome sequence, distinct from those of known members of the genus Aveparvovirus genus was also identified. This parvovirus genome sequence represents approximately 86% of the average aveparvovirus genome length (5422 bp) and contains three open reading frames. The sequence lacks the 3' region of the capsid gene is missing and the 3' UTR. The NS1 protein sequence of this virus shares 52.42% amino acid identity with that of its closest relative, the nonstructural protein of silver pheasant parvovirus. These findings suggest that parvovirus infection may occur in birds of prey and that the detected virus may represent a novel member of the genus Aveparvovirus. The infected bird showed no clinical symptoms during sampling; thus, the role of this parvovirus in raptor pathology as well as the possibility that it was of dietary origin remains unknown and requires further investigation.