Abstract
Astro- and kobuviruses infect both humans and animals. Here, we report on the disease history, detection and genomic characterization of novel astro- and kobuviruses from fatal diarrhoea of two juvenile grey squirrels. The virus particles had enterovirus-like morphology and a diameter of 28-32 nm. Next-generation sequencing confirmed astro- and kobuviruses and sequence analysis revealed typical astrovirus and picornavirus genome organizations. The astrovirus ORF2 sequence clustered with a clade of unassigned astroviruses, with marmot and rodent mamastroviruses as closest relatives. For the kobuvirus, divergences greater than 49.4 % for P1 and 43.5 % in the non-structural proteins indicated a novel species. However, phylogenetic analysis of the 3D polymerase showed that it clustered with that of the newly classified ludopivirus A1, suggesting a previous recombination event in the evolution of the kobuvirus. Our data provide further insights into the diversity of astro- and kobuviruses and broaden the spectrum of viruses infecting grey squirrels.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
