Elsevier

Virus Research

Volume 230, 15 February 2017, Pages 13-18
Virus Research

Detection of picobirnaviruses in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus): Molecular characterization of complete genomic segment-2

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2016.12.021Get rights and content

Highlights

  • First report on detection of picobirnaviruses (PBVs) in vervet monkeys.

  • Complete gene segment-2 of vervet PBV was genetically distinct from other PBVs.

  • First report on detection of PBVs from the Caribbean region.

Abstract

During 2014–2015, 270 fecal samples were collected from non-diarrheic, captive and wild African green monkeys (AGMs) on the island of St. Kitts, Caribbean region. By RNA-PAGE, picobirnaviruses (PBVs) were detected in sixteen captive AGMs. By RT-PCR and sequencing of partial gene segment-2, PBVs in 15 of these 16 samples were assigned to genogroup-I. The full-length nucleotide (nt) sequence of gene segment-2 of one of the genogroup-I PBV strains, strain PBV/African green monkey/KNA/016593/2015, was obtained using a non-specific primer-based amplification method with modifications. Gene segment-2 of strain 016593 was 1707 bp long, and encoded a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of 538 aa. Furthermore, the nearly complete gene segment-2 sequences of three other AGM PBV strains were determined using primers designed from gene segment-2 sequence of 016593. The gene segment-2 of the 4 AGM PBV strains were almost identical to each other, and exhibited a high degree of genetic diversity (maximum nt and deduced aa sequence identities of 66.4% and 65.3%, respectively) with those of PBVs from other host species. The 5′- and 3′- (except for one mismatch) end nt sequences and the three domains of RdRps were retained in the AGM PBV strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report on detection, and molecular characterization of complete gene segment-2 of PBVs in vervet monkeys. PBVs were detected for the first time from the Caribbean region.

Section snippets

Acknowledgements

We are thankful to Ms. Julie Farrell (Behavioral Science Foundation, St. Kitts); Ms. Lobna Dagher, Ms. Dallas Shim, Ms. Jacqueline Alvarado, Ms. Rhett Bridger, Ms. Bridget Fredricksen, Ms. Jennifer Siebert and Ms. Andrea Shliselberg (Students at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), St. Kitts); Behavioral Science Foundation, St. Kitts; St. Kitts Biomedical Research Foundation, St. Kitts; and the AGM trappers on St. Kitts for helping us with the collection of fecal samples. This

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Cited by (0)

1

These authors contributed equally to the work.

2

Present affiliation: The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

3

Former.

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