A novel papillomavirus (PV) was detected in farmed wels catfish (Silurus glanis) in Hungary showing clinical signs resembling those of wels catfish herpesvirus disease. The whole genome of Silurus glanis papillomavirus 1 (SgPV1) was identified using next-generation sequencing. The 5,612-bp complete genome contains four predicted protein coding regions (E1, E2, L1, and L2), which seem to have homologues in every PV genome sequenced to date. Five complete fish PV genome sequences are available in the GenBank database. Their genomes range between 5,748 and 6,086 bp and contain the minimal PV backbone genes E1, E2, L2, and L1, unlike PVs of higher vertebrates, which have larger genomes (6.8-8.6 kbp) and additional (onco)genes. Considering the current species demarcation criteria for the family Papillomaviridae, the establishment of a novel species named "Nunpapillomavirus siluri" is proposed for the SgPV1 in a novel genus, "Nunpapillomavirus", in the subfamily Secondpapillomavirinae.
© 2021. The Author(s).