Molecular evidence of rat bocavirus among rodents in Peninsular Malaysia

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 84; no. 7; pp. 938 - 941
• Main Authors: MOHD-AZAMI, Siti Nurul Izzah, LOONG, Shih Keng, KHOO, Jing Jing, SAHIMIN, Norhidayu, LIM, Fang Shiang, HUSIN, Nurul Aini, MAHFODZ, Nur Hidayana, MOHD-TAIB, Farah Shafawati, ISHAK, Siti Nabilah, MAKEPEACE, Benjamin L., ABUBAKAR, Sazaly
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.07.2022; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Animals; Bocavirus - genetics; Cytochrome-c oxidase; infectious disease; Malaysia; Malaysia - epidemiology; Phylogeny; rat bocavirus; Rats; Rattus sp; Rattus tanezumi; rodent; Rodentia; Strains (organisms); Virology; Malaysia; Rattus sp; Malaysia; rat bocavirus; infectious disease; rodent
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0037

Rat bocavirus (RBoV) and rodent bocavirus (RoBoV) have previously been detected in Rattus norvegicus; however, these viruses have not been reported in rodent populations in Malaysia. We investigated the presence of RBoV and RoBoV in archived rodent specimens. DNA barcoding of the rodent cytochrome c oxidase gene identified five different species: Rattus tanezumi R3 mitotype, Rattus tiomanicus, Rattus exulans, Rattus argentiventer, and Rattus tanezumi sensu stricto. Three spleens were positive for RBoV (1.84%; 3/163), but no RoBoV was detected. Phylogenetic analyzes of the partial non-structural protein 1 gene grouped Malaysian RBoV strains with RBoV strains from China. Further studies among rats from different geographical locations are warranted for this relatively new virus.