Genetic heterogeneity of bovine hepacivirus in Italy

• Published in: Transboundary and emerging diseases Vol. 67; no. 6; pp. 2731 - 2740
• Main Authors: Elia, Gabriella, Caringella, Francesca, Lanave, Gianvito, Martella, Vito, Losurdo, Michele, Tittarelli, Manuela, Colitti, Barbara, Decaro, Nicola, Buonavoglia, Canio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Hindawi Limited 01.11.2020
• Subjects: 5' Untranslated Regions; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Cattle Diseases - virology; characterization; Epidemiology; Female; Gene sequencing; Genetic diversity; Genetic Heterogeneity; Genetic variability; hepacivirus; Hepacivirus - classification; Hepacivirus - genetics; Hepatitis; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C - veterinary; Hepatitis C - virology; Heterogeneity; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA, Viral - analysis; Viruses; Italy; epidemiology; cattle; hepacivirus; characterization
• ISSN: 1865-1674; 1865-1682
• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13628

Viruses similar to human hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the Hepacivirus genus have been identified in several animal hosts, including cattle. Since its first discovery in Germany, bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) has been described in several countries globally. However, limited data are available on BovHepV epidemiology and genetic variability. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of BovHepV in Italy. Viral RNA was identified in 37 (0.15%) of 24,820 bovine sera, with titres ranging from 1.09 × 103 to 8.27 × 106 RNA copies/ml. Upon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 5′UTR and NS3 genomic portions, the Italian BovHepV strains segregated into at least four distinct subtypes (A, B, C and F) that are also co‐circulating globally.