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

• DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000813.v3
• Publication Date: 2024-06-28T11:29:18Z
• Authors: Joseph Hinds; Ternenge Apaa; Rhys H. Parry; Amy J. Withers; Laura MacKenzie; Ceri Staley; Joshua Morrison; Malcolm Bennett; Samantha Bremner-...; Elizabeth A. Chad...; Frank Hailer; Stephen W.R. Harr...; Xavier Lambin; Matthew Loose; Fiona Mathews; Rachael Tarlinton; Adam Blanchard
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; QH301; 03 medical and health sciences; QH301 Biology; 610; Research Article

The Caliciviridae family, comprising positive-sense RNA viruses, is characterised by its non-enveloped, small virions, broad host range, and notable tendency for 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 valovirus. Stoat was identified in three (ST008, ST006, ST004), exhibiting genome wide nucleotide identity approximately 92%. complete coding sequences these were 8471 (ST004) 8322 (ST006) nucleotides length, respectively. Each comprised open reading frames (ORF), closely resembling the Vesivirus mink (China/2/2016), 70-72% similarity ORF1, 61-62% ORF2 71% ORF3. Phylogenetic robustly supported as belonging within genus. second calivicirus (stoat valovirus), detected solely sample ST008, 6527 length present. It shared highest St-Valerien swine virus marmot norovirus HT16, showing 39.5% 38.8% protein ORF1 43.3% 42.9% VP1. valovirus borderline meeting ICTV criteria new genus, demonstrating 60% divergence compared other valovirus’, however it clusters basally Valovirus supporting leaving included this