Characterization of St-Valerien-like virus genome detected in Japan

Multiple novel caliciviruses identified from stoats (Mustela erminea) in the United Kingdom

The Caliciviridae family, comprising positive-sense RNA viruses, is characterised by its non-enveloped, small virions, broad host range, and notable tendency for host switching. These viruses are primarily associated with gastroenteric disease, though they can lead to haemorrhagic or respiratory infections. Our study employed a metagenomics analysis of faecal samples from stoats (Mustela erminea), identifying two novel calicivirus species, named stoat vesivirus and stoat valovirus. Stoat vesivirus was identified in three samples (ST008, ST006, ST004), exhibiting a genome wide nucleotide identity of approximately 92 %. The complete coding sequences of these samples were 8471 (ST004) and 8322 (ST006) nucleotides in length, respectively. Each comprised three open reading frames (ORF), closely resembling the Vesivirus mink calicivirus (China/2/2016), with 70-72 % similarity in ORF1, 61-62 % in ORF2 and 71 % in ORF3. Phylogenetic analysis robustly supported stoat vesivirus as belonging within the Vesivirus genus. The second calivicirus (stoat valovirus), detected solely in sample ST008, was 6527 nucleotides in length and with complete coding sequences present. It shared highest similarity with St-Valérien swine virus and marmot norovirus HT16, showing 39.5 and 38.8 % protein identity with ORF1 and 43.3 and 42.9 % for VP1. Stoat valovirus is borderline for meeting the ICTV criteria for a new genus, demonstrating 60 % divergence in ORF1 compared to the other valovirus', however it clusters basally within the Valovirus genus, supporting leaving it included in this genus.

Sequencing and molecular modeling identifies candidate members of Caliciviridae family in bats

Emerging viral diseases represent an ongoing challenge for globalized world and bats constitute an immense, partially explored, reservoir of potentially zoonotic viruses. Caliciviruses are important human and animal pathogens and, as observed for human noroviruses, they may impact on human health on a global scale. By screening fecal samples of bats in Hungary, calicivirus RNA was identified in the samples of Myotis daubentonii and Eptesicus serotinus bats. In order to characterize more in detail the bat caliciviruses, large portions of the genome sequence of the viruses were determined. Phylogenetic analyses and molecular modeling identified firmly the two viruses as candidate members within the Caliciviridae family, with one calicivirus strain resembling members of the Sapovirus genus and the other bat calicivirus being more related to porcine caliciviruses of the proposed genus Valovirus. This data serves the effort for detecting reservoir hosts for potential emerging viruses and recognize important evolutionary relationships.

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Two novel bat caliciviruses were genetically characterized.

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Mature viral capsids were molecularly modeled.

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Bat caliciviruses are highly heterogeneous genetically.

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The two novel viruses are genetically related to valoviruses and sapoviruses.

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New sequences were most closely related to Chinese sequences.