Molecular characterization and host reaction to tomato mottle mosaic virus isolated from sweet pepper seeds in Japan
AbstractMany countries have identified tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) as a serious threat to tomato production. Here, we constructed and characterized infectious clones of ToMMV isolated from Japanese sweet pepper seeds. The genome of the Japanese isolate is 6399 nucleotides in length and exhibits the  highest identity with previously characterized isolates. For example, it is 99.7% identical to that of the Mauritius isolate, which occurs worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete genome sequences revealed that the Japanese isolates clustered in the same clade as those from other countr ies. When homozygous t...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 30, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Development of an effective single-chain variable fragment recognizing a novel epitope in the hepatitis C virus E2 protein that restricts virus entry into hepatocytes
AbstractPreviously, we reported a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, A8A11, raised against a novel conserved epitope within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein, that could significantly reduce HCV replication. Here, we report the nucleotide sequence of A8A11 and demonstrate the efficacy of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) protein that mimics the antibody, inhibits the binding of an HCV virus-like particle to hepatocytes, and reduces viral RNA replication in a cell culture system. More importantly, scFv A8A11 was found to effectively restrict the increase of viral RNA levels in the serum of HCV-infected chimeric mi...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 29, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Phylogeography and gene pool analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses reported in India from 2006 to 2021
AbstractIndia has reported highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus outbreaks since 2006, with the first human case reported in 2021. These included viruses belonging to the clades 2.2, 2.2.2, 2.2.2.1, 2.3.2.1a, and 2.3.2.1c. There are currently no data on the gene pool of HPAI H5N1 viruses in India. Molecular clock and phylogeography analysis of the HA and NA genes; and phylogenetic analysis of the internal genes of H5N1 viruses from India were carried out. Sequences reported from 2006 to 2015; and sequences from 2021 that were available in online databases were used in the analysis. Five separate introductions...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 25, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Molecular characterization of the complete genome of a novel ormycovirus infecting the ectomycorrhizal fungus Hortiboletus rubellus
AbstractAdvancements in high-throughput sequencing and the development of new bioinformatics tools for large-scale data analysis play a crucial role in uncovering virus diversity and enhancing our understanding of virus evolution. The discovery of the ormycovirus clades, a group of RNA viruses that are phylogenetically distinct from all knownRiboviria members and are found in fungi, highlights the value of these tools for the discovery of novel viruses. The aim of this study was to examine viral populations in fungal hosts to gain insights into the diversity, evolution, and classification of these viruses. Here, we report ...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 25, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Prevalence of the protective OAS1 rs10774671-G allele against severe COVID-19 in Moroccans: implications for a North African Neanderthal connection
We examined this locus in the Moroccan population for the occurrence of the critical variant rs10774671 and its respective haplotype blocks. The frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cluster ofOAS immunity genes in 157 unrelated individuals of Moroccan origin was determined using an in-house exome database.OAS1 exon 6 of 71 SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals with asymptomatic/mild disease and 74 with moderate/severe disease was sequenced by the Sanger method. The genotypic, allelic, and haplotype frequencies of three SNPs were compared between these two groups. Finally, males in our COVID-19 series were g...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 25, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Comparison between different conditions for the incorporation of foreign proteins into Autographa californica multiple polyhedrovirus polyhedra for biotechnological purposes
In this study, we conducted a comparative assessment of various conditions to achieve the embedding of recombinant proteins within polyhedra. Two baculoviruses were constructed: AcPHGFP  (polh+), with GFP as a fusion to wild type (wt) polyhedrin and AcΔPHGFP (polh+), with GFP fused to a fragment corresponding to amino acids 19 to 110 of polyhedrin. These baculoviruses were evaluated by infecting Sf9 cells and stably transformed Sf9, Sf9POLH, and Sf9POLHE44G  cells. The stably transformed cells contributed another copy of wt or a mutant polyhedrin, respectively. Polyhedra of each type were isolated and characterized by ...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 24, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Development of a novel sensitive single-tube nested PCR assay for the detection of African swine fever virus
AbstractAfrican swine fever (ASF) is a highly fatal and contagious viral disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). It has caused significant economic losses to the swine industry and poses a serious threat to food security worldwide. Diagnostic tests with high sensitivity are essential for the effective management of ASF. Here, we describe a single-tube nested PCR (STN-PCR) assay for the detection of ASFV in which two consecutive amplification steps are carried out within a single tube. Two pairs of primers (outer and inner) were designed to target thep72 gene of ASFV. The primer concentrations, annealing tempera...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 22, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Genomic characterization of human respiratory syncytial virus circulating in Islamabad, Pakistan, during an outbreak in 2022-2023
In this study, conducted at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, during an outbreak of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) from December 2022 to January 2023, the first whole-genome sequences of hRSV isolates from Islamabad, Pakistan, were determined. Out of 10 positive samples, five were sequenced, revealing the presence of two genotypes: RSV-A (GA2.3.5, ON1 strain) and RSV-B (GB5.0.5.a, BA-10 strain). A rare non-synonymous substitution (E232G) in G the protein and N276S in the F protein were found in RSV-A. In RSV-B, the unique mutations K191R, Q209R, and I206M were found in the F protein. These mutations co...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 22, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Characterization of a novel gammapartitivirus infecting the phytopathogenic fungus Pyricularia oryzae
In this study, we identified a novel double-strand RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus inPyricularia oryzae, designated"Magnaporthe oryzae partitivirus 4" (MoPV4). The genome of MoPV4 consists of a dsRNA-1 segment encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and a dsRNA-2 segment encoding a capsid protein (CP). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that MoPV4 belongs to the genusGammapartitivirus within familyPartitiviridae. The particles of MoPV4 are isometric with a diameter of about 32.4 nm. Three-dimensional structure predictions indicated that the RdRP of MoPV4 forms a classical right-handed conformation, while the CP has a ...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 18, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Characterization of mutations in hepatitis B virus DNA isolated from Japanese HBsAg-positive blood donors in 2021 and 2022
In this study, we isolated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA from 58 of 169 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive blood samples from Japanese blood donors and determined the nucleotide sequence encoding the small envelope protein. DNA from six (10%) of the samples had VEMs, but no missense mutations, such as G145R, were detected. Complete HBV genome sequences were obtained from 29 of the 58 samples; the viral genotype was A1 in one (3%), A2 in three (10%), B1 in nine (31%), B2 in five (17%), B4 in one (3%), and C2 in 10 (34%) samples. Tenofovir-resistance mutations were detected in two (7%) samples. In addition, several c...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 18, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Biological characterization and complete genome analysis of the newly isolated Serratia liquefaciens phage vB_SlqS_ZDD2
AbstractA novel lytic phage named vB_SlqS_ZDD2 was isolated from hospital sewage using the double-layer agar method withSerratia liquefaciens ATCC 27592 as the host. BLASTn analysis showed that the genome sequence of phage vB_SlqS_ZDD2 did not resemble any other phages in the NCBI database. Phenotype and phylogeny analysis indicated that this phage might be a new member of the classCaudoviricetes. Phage vB_SlqS_ZDD2 has a dsDNA genome of 49,178 bp with 55% GC content and has 73 open reading frames. This phage exhibited strong lytic activity and a wide range of pH (3 –12) and temperature tolerance (below 70℃). (Source: ...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 18, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Phylodynamic analysis of foot-and-mouth disease virus evolution in Mar Chiquita, Argentina
AbstractFoot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, resulting in considerable economic losses. Its causal agent is foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a picornavirus. Due to its error-prone replication and rapid evolution, the transmission and evolutionary dynamics of FMDV can be studied using genomic epidemiological approaches. To analyze FMDV evolution and identify possible transmission routes in an Argentinean region, field samples that tested positive for FMDV by PCR were obtained from 21 farms located in the Mar Chiquita district. Whole FMDV genome sequences were obtained by...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 17, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

A highly divergent enteric calicivirus in a bovine calf in India
AbstractA highly divergent bovine calicivirus was identified in an Indian calf with enteritis. The whole genome of this virus was sequenced, revealing distinct amino acid motifs in the polyprotein encoded by open reading frame 1 (ORF1) that are unique to caliciviruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that it was related to members of the genusNebovirus of the familyCaliciviridae. Although it showed only 33.7 –34.2% sequence identity in the VP1 protein to the nebovirus prototype strains, it showed 90.6% identity in VP1 to Kirklareli virus, a nebovirus detected in calves with enteritis in Turkey in 2012. An in-house-designed ...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 17, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Detection and complete genome characterization of a genogroup X (GX) sapovirus (family Caliciviridae) from a golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Hungary
In this study, a novel genotype of genogroup X (GX) sapovirus (familyCaliciviridae) was detected in the small intestinal contents of a golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Hungary and characterised by viral metagenomics and next-generation sequencing techniques. The complete genome of the detected strain, GX/D ömsöd/DOCA-11/2020/HUN (PP105600), is 7,128 nt in length. The ORF1- and ORF2-encoded viral proteins (NSP, VP1, and VP2) have 98%, 95%, and 88% amino acid sequence identity to the corresponding proteins of genogroup GX sapoviruses from domestic pigs, but the nucleic acid sequence identity values fo r their genes are sign...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 17, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Molecular characterization of the whole genome of H9N2 avian influenza virus isolated from Egyptian poultry farms
In this study, we sequenced the entire genome of AIV H9N2 isolated from chickens in Egypt in 2021, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Phylogenetic analysis of the resulting sequences showed that the studied strain was generally monophyletic and grouped within the G1 sublineage of the Eurasian lineage. Four segments (polymerase basic 2 [PB2], polymerase basic 1 [PB1], polymerase acidic [PA], and non-structural [NS]) were related to Egyptian genotype II, while the nucleoprotein (NP), neuraminidase (NA), matrix (M), and haemagglutinin (HA) segments were related to Egyptian genotype I. Molecular analysis reveal...
Source: Archives of Virology - April 16, 2024 Category: Virology Source Type: research