Epidemiology and genetic characteristics of murine kobuvirus from fecal
samples of Rattus losea, Rattus tanezumi and Rattus norvegicus in
Southern China
Abstract
Background: Most recently, murine kobuvirus (MuKV), a novel recognized
member of the family Picornaviridae, has been initially identified from
fecal samples of Rattus norvegicus in China. The circulation of MuKV
from other murine rodent species is not fully understood, prompted us to
investigate the prevalence and genetic characterization of MuKV in
Rattus losea, Rattus tanezumi and Rattus norvegicus in Southern China.
Results: Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 243 fecal samples from three
murine rodent species were screened for the presence of murine kobuvirus
(MuKV) from three cities in Southern China, with an overall prevalence
of 23.0% (56/243). Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete VP1 gene
suggested our sequences were genetically closely related to each other
and the Chinese strains. Three complete polyprotein nucleotide sequences
of MuKV and the genome organization were acquired in the present study.
Phylogenetic analyses also showed our sequences belong to the members of
genus Kobuvirus within the genotype of Achivirus A. Conclusion: The
present study indicated that MuKV is very common in murine rodent
populations.