Genomic Characterization of a Novel Alphacoronavirus Isolated from Bats, Korea, 2020.

Coronavirus, an important zoonotic disease, raises concerns of future pandemics. The bat is considered a source of noticeable viruses resulting in human and livestock infections, especially the coronavirus. Therefore, surveillance and genetic analysis of coronaviruses in bats are essential in order to prevent the risk of future diseases. In this study, the genome of HCQD-2020, a novel alphacoronavirus detected in a bat (Eptesicus serotinus), was assembled and described using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The comparison of the whole-genome sequence and the conserved amino acid sequence of replicated proteins revealed that the new strain was distantly related with other known species in the Alphacoronavirus genus. Phylogenetic construction indicated that this strain formed a separated branch with other species, suggesting a new species of Alphacoronavirus. Additionally, in silico prediction also revealed the risk of cross-species infection of this strain, especially in the order Artiodactyla. In summary, this study provided the genetic characteristics of a possible new species belonging to Alphacoronavirus.

Application of nano-graphene oxide as nontoxic disinfectant against alpha and betacoronaviruses.

New viruses are continuously emerging and recently there have been many great concerns on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Nanographene oxide (nanoGO) has received much attention and is widely investigated to be utilised in therapy for infectious diseases by viruses. Thus, antiviral activity of nanoGO was evaluated using the porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), and SARS-CoV-2, which are all Alpha- and Beta-coronavirus. In a virus inhibition assay, the three viruses were inhibited by nanoGO in a dose-dependent manner, including attempts in the presence of high serum solution which partially mimicked biological fluid.

Torque teno virus from Korean domestic swine farms, 2017-2018.

BACKGROUND: Torque teno viruses (TTVs) have been detected worldwide, from a wide range of animals. Up to date, few studies focused on the prevalence of TTVs in general and swine torque teno viruses (TTSuVs) in particular in Korean swine farms. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the appearance of TTSuVs and TTVs in sick pigs during the 2017-2018 period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Molecular-based method using TTSuV1-, TTSuV2- and TTV3-specific primers was used to screen for the viruses from either sera or pooled internal organs of sick pigs. For genetic characterization, genomic sequences of TTVs were sequenced by a primer walking method. Several bioinformatic tools have been utilized to investigate the genomic organization and genetic relationship of TTVs. RESULTS: Two years of prevalence survey reveal that the prevalence of TTSuV2 is about twice that of TTSuV1. Furthermore, we identified TTV of genogroup 3 in swine pooled organ samples. The genome of two strains, M265_Korea_2017 and N119_Korea_2018, are 3,817 bp in size; M265_2017 has three open reading frames (ORFs); and N119_2018 strain has four ORFs. The complete genome nucleotide sequencing of the two strains shows 98.4% homology, and the phylogenetic analysis of Open reading frame (ORF)1 indicates that the strains are located close to TUPB strain subgroup C of genogroup 3. CONCLUSION: Our study provided the information of TTSuVs prevalence in swine farms in Korea and highlighted the presence of TTV genogroup 3 strains in pigs.

Application of chitosan as a natural disinfectant against porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus.

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) is one of the major pathogens causing acute enteritis, which is characterised by vomiting and watery diarrhoea and commonly leads to high rates of mortality and morbidity in suckling piglets. Chitosan has been regarded as a promising natural disinfectant. In this study, the disinfectant effect and mammalian-cell toxicity of chitosan were evaluated against PEDV using Vero cells. A 0.01% solution of chitosan was determined to be an effective disinfectant. In addition, no evidence of toxicity was observed during the cell toxicity test; on the contrary, chitosan promoted cell proliferation. In conclusion, chitosan is a promising candidate for an effective and safe disinfectant against PEDV as well as other coronaviruses.

Characteristics of Aerococcus viridans isolated from porcine fetuses in Korean farms.

Swine abortion caused by viruses as well as bacteria has caused many economic losses in domestic farms over the years; however, bacterial abortion has not yet been studied in Korea. Several bacterial species were isolated from aborted fetuses (n = 103) for which the cause of death was not viral abortion. Among them, we focused on Aerococcus viridans, which had the highest positive rate within three provinces (Gangwon, Jeonnam and Gyeongnam). A total of 16 isolates were identified as A. viridans by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and 13 were characterized by both antibiotic resistance and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Based on antibiotic susceptibility testing result, eight antimicrobials could not effectively eliminate the present isolation (more than 40% of isolates can resist these antibiotics), while all except two strains were susceptible to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Molecular analysis indicated genetic variation among these strains. This study is the first report detecting A. viridans from aborted fetuses in Korean domestic farms.