Novel parvovirus in cats, China.

Parvovirus is a common element of the feline virus group and usually causes gastroenteritis and leukopenia in cats. In this study, we identified a novel protoparvovirus from the Chinese domestic cats, which is genetically similar to canine bufavirus (98.0%-99.8%), but sharing low amino acid identities in the viral structural proteins 2 (VP2) (36.1-37.2%) to the well-known canine parvovirus type 2 and feline panleukopenia virus. This virus was provisionally designated as feline bufavirus (FBuV). Screening of fecal samples revealed a prevalence of 7.4% (19/257) in domestic cats. Diarrhea was present in 52.6% (10/19) of cats positive for FBuV. However, statistical analysis showed no association between FBuV and clinical signs. VP2 gene of the 19 field FBuV was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that FBuV determined from China had a genetic diversity. This study will strengthen the understanding of the epidemiology and genetic diversity of bufavirus and provide a foundation for further studies.

First identification and genomic characterization of equine hepacivirus sub-type 3 strain in China.

Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) is a newly discovered equine virus that is classified under the Hepacivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. There are three sub-types of EqHV worldwide namely; sub-types 1-3. The majority of EqHV sub-type 1 strains were found in China. While different sub-types have been found in Japan and USA, therefore, to investigate whether the other sub-types of EqHV strains were present in China, a total of 60 horse serum samples were collected and screened for EqHV RNA through RT-PCR. The results revealed that 19 serum samples were RNA-positive (19/60) and the EqHV detection rate was 31.67%. One EqHV strain named GD23 was obtained and its near-complete genome sequence was acquired. Analysis of nucleotide p-distance with reference to the entire polyprotein gene revealed that GD23 was classified into sub-type 3. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that GD23 was clustered together with EqHV strains of sub-type 3 in other countries. The present study is the first to identify an EqHV sub-type 3 strain in China.

Genomic sequencing and characterization of a novel group of canine bufaviruses from Henan province, China.

Canine bufavirus (CBuV) is a novel protoparvovirus of dogs that was first reported in 2018 in Italy. The prevalence and genetic diversity of CBuV in China are not clear. In this study, a total of 115 canine fecal samples were collected from northern China in 2019, and two of the samples tested positive for CBuV DNA by PCR. These two field CBuV strains were designated Henan38 and Henan44. The complete genomic sequences of Henan38 and Henan44 were obtained by gap-filling PCR, sequenced, and assembled. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the two strains clustered together in a novel group that was distant from previously reported CBuV strains. This study will strengthen our understanding of the epidemiology and genetic diversity of CBuV in China.

First report of feline morbillivirus in mainland China.

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is an emerging member of the family Paramyxoviridae that is suspected to be involved in chronic kidney disease (CKD). FeMV was first discovered in Hong Kong in 2012 and has subsequently been detected in many countries. However, the prevalence of FeMV in mainland China is still unclear. To clarify the present status and examine the genetic diversity of FeMV in mainland China, in this study, we collected cat urine samples in veterinary hospitals in Guangdong Province in 2017 and 2018. Using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, we found that the urine of six out of 64 cats tested positive for FeMV RNA. Sequencing and genetic analysis of the FeMV L gene showed that FeMV in mainland China is genetically diverse, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the viruses segregated into two clusters. Two isolates, GD5 and GD6, grouped in a branch that was separate from the one containing other previously reported FeMV isolates. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of FeMV in China.

Corrigendum: Emergence of Getah Virus Infection in Horse With Fever in China, 2018.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01416.].

Emergence of Getah Virus Infection in Horse With Fever in China, 2018.

Getah virus (GETV) is a mosquito-borne virus that was first determined in Malaysia in 1955, and can infect humans and multiple other mammals. GETV infection in horses has been reported in Japan and India, and causes great economic losses. In China, GETV has been identified in mosquitoes, pigs, foxes, and cattle with a wide geographical distribution, but has not been detected in horses. In August 2018, a sudden onset of fever was observed in racehorse in an equestrian training center in Guangdong Province in southern China. Blood samples were collected from the sick horse, and PCR/RT-PCR analysis was performed to screen for equine viral pathogens associated with fever. The results indicated that the samples were GETV RNA positive. After RT-PCR, sequencing, and assembly, the genome of the first Chinese horse-derived GETV strain, GZ201808, was obtained. Compared with the genome sequences of other GETV strains, twelve unique nucleotide substitutions were observed in GZ201808. The genome of GZ201808 had the highest genetic identity (99.6%) with AH9192, which was detected in pigs in China in 2017. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that GZ201808 clustered in Group III, and was located in an independent branch distant from other horse-derived GETV strains, indicating a unique evolutionary pattern of GZ201808. This study first determined and described the disease course of horse infected with GETV in China, sequenced and characterized the genome of the field horse-derived GETV strain, and therefore presented an unequivocal report of GETV infection in horses in China.