Metagenomic analysis of the shrew enteric virome reveals novel viruses related to human stool-associated viruses

Michihito Sasaki, Yasuko Orba, Keisuke Ueno, Akihiro Ishii, Ladslav Moonga, Bernard M. Hangombe, Aaron S. Mweene, Kimihito Ito, Hirofumi Sawa*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Shrews are small insectivorous mammals that are distributed worldwide. Similar to rodents, shrews live on the ground and are commonly found near human residences. In this study, we investigated the enteric virome of wild shrews in the genus Crocidura using a sequence-independent viral metagenomics approach. A large portion of the shrew enteric virome was composed of insect viruses, whilst novel viruses including cyclovirus, picornavirus and picorna-like virus were also identified. Several cycloviruses, including variants of human cycloviruses detected in cerebrospinal fluid and stools, were detected in wild shrews at a high prevalence rate. The identified picornavirus was distantly related to human parechovirus, inferring the presence of a new genus in this family. The identified picorna-like viruses were characterized as different species of calhevirus 1, which was discovered previously in human stools. Complete or nearly complete genome sequences of these novel viruses were determined in this study and then were subjected to further genetic characterization. Our study provides an initial view of the diversity and distinctiveness of the shrew enteric virome and highlights unique novel viruses related to human stool-associated viruses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)440-452
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of General Virology
Volume96
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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