Detection and characterization of homologues of human hepatitis viruses and pegiviruses in rodents and bats in Vietnam
Van Nguyen D, Van Nguyen C, Bonsall D, Ngo TT, Carrique-Mas J, Pham AH, Bryant JE, Thwaites G, Baker S, Woolhouse M, Simmonds P, Kiet BT, Berto A, Boni MF, Bryant JE, Phu BD, Campbell JI, Hung DM, Huong DT, Oanh DT, Day JN, Tan DV, van Doorn HR, Han DA, Farrar JJ, Trang HTT, Nghia HDT, Long HB, Duong HV, Thu HTK, Cuong LC, Hung LM, Phuong LT, Phuc LT, Phuong LT, Luat LX, Ha LTT, Chuong LV, Loan MTP, Nadjm B, Bao NT, Hoa NT, Tue NT, Tu NC, Thuan ND, Dong N, Chuyen NK, An NN, Vinh NN, Hung NQ, Dung NT, Minh NT, Binh NT, Tham NTH, Tien NTH, Chuc NTK, Ngoc NTL, Ha NTL, Lien NTN, Diep NTN, Nhung NT, Chau NTS, Chi NTY, Trinh NT, Van NT, Cuong NV, Hung NV, Kinh NV, Hoang NVM, My NV, Thang NV, Thanh NV, Chau NVV, Xang NV, My PH, Anh PH, Khoa PTM, Tam PTT, Lao PV, Minh PV, Bay PVB, Rabaa MA, Rahman M, Thompson C, Ngan TTD, Nhu TDH, Chau THM, Toan TK, Phuc TM, Hong TTK, Dung TTN, Thanh TTT, Minh TTT, Nguyen TT, Hien TT, Tri TQ, Hien VB, Tai VN, Cuong VQ, Phat VV, Huong VTL, Hang VTT, Wertheim H, Bogaardt C, Brierley L, Chase-Topping M, Ivens A, Lu L, Nguyen D, Rambaut A, Cotten M, Munnink BBO, Kellam P, Phan MVT, van der Hoek L, Deijs M, Jebbink MF, Farsani SMJ, Saylors K & Wolfe N(2018) Viruses 10, 102.
Rodents and bats are now widely recognised as important sources of zoonotic virus infections in other mammals, including humans. Numerous surveys have expanded our knowledge of diverse viruses in a range of rodent and bat species, including their origins, evolution, and range of hosts. In this study of pegivirus and human hepatitis-related viruses, liver and serum samples from Vietnamese rodents and bats were examined by PCR and sequencing. Nucleic acids homologous to human hepatitis B, C, E viruses were detected in liver samples of 2 (1.3%) of 157 bats, 38 (8.1%), and 14 (3%) of 470 rodents, respectively. Hepacivirus-like viruses were frequently detected (42.7%) in the bamboo rat, Rhizomys pruinosus, while pegivirus RNA was only evident in 2 (0.3%) of 638 rodent serum samples. Complete or near-complete genome sequences of HBV, HEV and pegivirus homologues closely resembled those previously reported from rodents and bats. However, complete coding region sequences of the rodent hepacivirus-like viruses substantially diverged from all of the currently classified variants and potentially represent a new species in the Hepacivirus genus. Of the viruses identified, their routes of transmission and potential to establish zoonoses remain to be determined. ? 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
