Archives of virology2017; 163(1); 249-252; doi: 10.1007/s00705-017-3602-z

Molecular characterization of a genetically divergent equine pegivirus strain identified in China.

Abstract: Equine pegivirus (EPgV) is a newly discovered equine virus, which is taxonomically classified in the Pegivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. Until now, only the complete genome sequence of the first reported EPgV strain, from the USA (strain name: C0035) is available on online databases. Considering this, horse serum samples were collected from horses in China and screened for EPgV RNA by RT-PCR. One EPgV strain, LW/2016, was obtained and its near-complete genome sequence was acquired by standard PCR. Further analysis of its nucleotide sequence indicates LW/2016 is genetically divergent from C0035, with a nucleotide identity of 89.02%. These two viruses clustered into two independent branches following phylogenetic analysis of on the NS3 and NS5B genes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic divergence in the EPgV genome.
Publication Date: 2017-11-02 PubMed ID: 29094242DOI: 10.1007/s00705-017-3602-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research describes the identification and characterization of a genetically different strain of Equine pegivirus (EPgV) in China, highlighting the genetic divergence within the EPgV population.

Research Objective and Method

  • This study focused on the Equine pegivirus, an existing horse virus. Until the study, only one complete EPgV genome sequence (identified as the C0035 strain from the USA), was available on online databases. The researchers intended to explore the possibility of genetically different EPgV strains by studying Chinese horses.
  • The study was carried out by collecting horse serum samples in China, which were then tested for the presence of EPgV RNA by employing a technique known as RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase – Polymerase Chain Reaction), a popular molecular biology technique used to detect specific genetic sequences.

Results and Findings

  • After testing the horse serum samples, an EPgV strain identified as LW/2016 was found. The near-complete genome sequence of this strain was obtained using standard PCR techniques.
  • Genetic analysis of the LW/2016 strain revealed that it was genetically different from the C0035 strain, presenting only an 89.02% identical genetic sequence.
  • Further phylogenetic analysis based on two specific genes (NS3 and NS5B), which are routinely used in the classification and evolutionary study of viruses, showed distinct and independent branches for the two strains. This suggests a significant divergence in their evolution.

Conclusion and Significance

  • This study represents the first reported investigation into genetic variance within the equine pegivirus. The identification of the LW/2016 strain in China with significant genetic divergence to the C0035 strain from USA adds to the existing knowledge about the identity and diversity of EPgV.
  • The findings could be vital for understanding the transmission, evolutionary biology and potential disease-causing ability of EPgV. Increased understanding of EPgV genome diversity could aid in diagnosis and therapeutic interventions in horses globally.

Cite This Article

APA
Lu G, Fu C, Huang J, Xu H, Wu P, Ping X, Li S. (2017). Molecular characterization of a genetically divergent equine pegivirus strain identified in China. Arch Virol, 163(1), 249-252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-017-3602-z

Publication

ISSN: 1432-8798
NlmUniqueID: 7506870
Country: Austria
Language: English
Volume: 163
Issue: 1
Pages: 249-252

Researcher Affiliations

Lu, Gang
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Fu, Cheng
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Huang, Ji
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Xu, Haibin
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Wu, Peixin
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Ping, Xiaokun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Li, Shoujun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. shoujunli@scau.edu.cn.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. shoujunli@scau.edu.cn.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. shoujunli@scau.edu.cn.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • China / epidemiology
  • Flaviviridae / genetics
  • Flaviviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Flaviviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Flaviviridae Infections / virology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Phylogeny

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Tomlinson JE, Wolfisberg R, Fahnu00f8e U, Sharma H, Renshaw RW, Nielsen L, Nishiuchi E, Holm C, Dubovi E, Rosenberg BR, Tennant BC, Bukh J, Kapoor A, Divers TJ, Rice CM, Van de Walle GR, Scheel TKH. Equine pegiviruses cause persistent infection of bone marrow and are not associated with hepatitis.. PLoS Pathog 2020 Jul;16(7):e1008677.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008677pubmed: 32649726google scholar: lookup
  2. Lu G, Sun L, Ou J, Xu H, Wu L, Li S. Identification and genetic characterization of a novel parvovirus associated with serum hepatitis in horses in China.. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018 Oct 23;7(1):170.
    doi: 10.1038/s41426-018-0174-2pubmed: 30348940google scholar: lookup
  3. Lu G, Huang J, Yang Q, Xu H, Wu P, Fu C, Li S. Identification and genetic characterization of hepacivirus and pegivirus in commercial equine serum products in China.. PLoS One 2017;12(12):e0189208.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189208pubmed: 29216266google scholar: lookup