A highly divergent hepacivirus-like flavivirus in domestic ducks. (8th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, Lili; Jin, Meiling; Feng, Chonglun; Wang, Xiaoyan; Zhang, Dabing
• Is Part Of: Journal of general virology. Volume 100:Number 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1234
• Page End: 1240
• Publication Date: 2019-07-08
• Subjects: duck -- flavivirus -- hepacivirus -- duck hepacivirus-like virus; Virology -- Periodicals; Viruses; Microbiology; Virology; Virologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Virology; Virologie; Virologie; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; 579.2
• DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001298
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1317

Abstract

Abstract : Using random amplification and reverse transcription-PCR, a novel RNA virus was detected in sera of domestic ducks. The full genome of the virus was determined for three strains, identifying the first hepacivirus-like flavivirus in birds. The virus, that we tentatively named duck hepacivirus-like virus (DuHV), possesses several unique molecular features, such as possession of the largest hepacivirus-like polyprotein gene and a Pegivirus A -like internal ribosome entry site. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic and sliding-window analyses indicated that DuHV is most closely related to, but highly divergent from, the known hepaciviruses. DuHV was detected in 69.7 % of 185 serum samples from four duck species and in 31 of 33 flocks from five provinces of China, reflecting a high prevalence in duck populations and a wide geographical distribution. The detection of DuHV in the same flock in November 2018 and April 2019 suggested that persistent infection can be established in the infected ducks.