Genome characterization of a novel megrivirus-related avian picornavirus from a carnivorous wild bird, western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus).

In this study, the complete genome of a novel picornavirus called harrier picornavirus 1 (HaPV-1) strain harrier/MR-01/HUN/2014 (KY488458) was sequenced and analysed from a cloacal sample of a threatened, carnivorous wild bird, western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus). HaPV-1 was detectable from 2 of the 3 samples from harriers. HaPV-1 is phylogenetically related to megriviruses (genus Megrivirus) from domestic chicken, turkey and duck, showing a similar genome organization pattern; it also has an avian picornavirus-like "Unit A" motif in the 3' UTR. Unlike the type-IV internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) of megriviruses, HaPV-1 is predicted to contain a type-II-like IRES, suggesting modular exchange of IRES elements between picornavirus genomes.

Co-infection with coxsackievirus A5 and norovirus GII.4 could have been the trigger of the first episode of severe acute encephalopathy in a six-year-old child with the intermittent form of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD).

In this case study, a co-infection with coxsackievirus A5 (family Picornaviridae) and norovirus GII.4 (family Caliciviridae) was detected by RT-PCR in a faecal sample from a six-year-old girl with symptoms of severe acute encephalopathy subsequently diagnosed as the intermittent form of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). The two co-infecting viruses, which had been detected previously, appeared to have triggered the underlying metabolic disorder. Here, we describe the genotyping of the viruses, as well as the chronological course, laboratory test results, and clinical presentation of this case, which included recurrent vomiting without diarrhoea, metabolic acidosis, unconsciousness, seizure and circulatory collapse, but with a positive final outcome.

A cluster of salivirus A1 (Picornaviridae) infections in newborn babies with acute gastroenteritis in a neonatal hospital unit in Hungary.

Salivirus (family Picornaviridae) may be associated with acute gastroenteritis in humans, but there have been no reports of salivirus outbreaks. Salivirus A1 infection with faecal virus concentrations of 2.1-2.6 × 10(9)/g were identified retrospectively in newborn babies, between the ages of 1.5 and 5 days, with apparent clinical symptoms of diarrhea (100 %), fever (40 %), vomiting (40 %), and loss of appetite (40 %) in a neonatal hospital unit in Hungary in July 2013. The complete genome sequence of the salivirus (including the 5'-terminal end) was determined. Salivirus mono-infection may be associated with gastroenteritis in babies who are a few days old. Salivirus testing should be done in public health laboratories in gastroenteritis outbreaks with unknown etiology.