Dicipivirus (family Picornaviridae) in wild Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus)

Arch Virol. 2018 Jan;163(1):175-181. doi: 10.1007/s00705-017-3565-0. Epub 2017 Sep 22.

Abstract

Using random amplification and high-throughput sequencing technology a novel picornavirus with dicistronic genome organization and genetically related to canine picodicistrovirus (genus Dicipivirus, family Picornaviridae) was identified and characterized in Northern white-breasted hedgehogs. Hedgehog dicipivirus (hedgehog/H14/2015/HUN, MF188967) was detected in 15 (75%) of 20 faecal specimens by RT-PCR with high viral loads (up to 8.2x108 genomic copies/ml faeces). Hedgehog dicipivirus RNA was also identified in blood, ear skin, abdominal muscle and liver tissues. While the general dicistronic genome organization of hedgehog/H14/2015/HUN is similar to canine picodicistrovirus (5'UTR-P1-IGR-P2/P3-3UTR) there are some unique genome characteristics within the untranslated regions, especially in the functional IRES elements. This study reports the putative second member of the genus Dicipivirus, in a novel host species.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Feces / virology
  • Genome, Viral
  • Hedgehogs / virology*
  • Hungary / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Picornaviridae / genetics*
  • Picornaviridae / isolation & purification
  • Picornaviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Picornaviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Picornaviridae Infections / virology