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Simple Summary: Information on the host range and genetic diversity of members of the Circoviridae family is quickly increasing, but the ecology of these viruses remains largely unknown. In this study, using a panviral PCR targeting the Rep gene, we detected CyV DNA in rectal and saliva swabs collected from 48 NHPs housed in Bioparco—Rome Zoological Garden (Italy) and in the Anima Natura Wild Sanctuary Semproniano (Grosseto, Italy), with an overall prevalence of 18.7% (9/48). When reconstructing the sequence and genome organization of five strains, all CyVs appeared genetically highly related (98.3–98.6% nucleotide identity) to a CyV strain (RI196/ITA) detected in the intestinal content of a Maltese wall lizard (Podarcis filfolensis) in Italy. Circoviruses (CVs) and cycloviruses (CyVs), members of the family Circoviridae, have been identified only occasionally in non-human primates (NHPs). In this study, we investigated the presence and genetic features of these viruses in 48 NHPs housed in the Bioparco—Rome Zoological Garden (Italy) and in the Anima Natura Wild Sanctuary Semproniano (Grosseto, Italy), testing fecal, saliva, and serum samples with a broadly reactive consensus nested PCR able of amplifying a partial region of the replicase (Rep) gene of members of the family Circoviridae. Viral DNA was detected in a total of 10 samples, including a saliva swab and 9 fecal samples collected, respectively from five Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) and four mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), with an overall prevalence of 18.7% (9/48). On genome sequencing, five strains revealed the highest nucleotide identity (98.3–98.6%) to a CyV strain (RI196/ITA) detected in the intestinal content of a Maltese wall lizard (Podarcis filfolensis) in Italy. Although the origin of the Italian NHP strains, genetically distant from previously detected NHP CyVs, is uncertain, our results also highlight that the virome of captive animals is modulated by the different dietary and environmental sources of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of bocaparvoviruses (BoVs) and bufaviruses (BuVs) in the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was investigated by screening duodenal and liver samples collected from 183 carcasses, delivered to wildlife rescue centers located in northwestern Italy. BoV DNA was detected in 15 animals (8.2%), with prevalences of 7.1% (13/183) and 2.7% (5/183) in intestine and liver samples, respectively. Upon the sequence analyses of the NS1 gene, two highly divergent BoVs (65.5–67.8% nt identities) were identified. Fourteen strains showed the highest identity (98.3–99.4% nt) to the hedgehog BoV strains recently detected in China in Amur hedgehogs (Erinaceus amurensis), whilst four strains were genetically related (98.9–99.4% nt identities) to the porcine BoVs identified in pigs and classified in the species Bocaparvovirus ungulate 4, which included related viruses also found in rats, minks, shrews, and mice. BuV DNA was detected in the duodenal samples of two hedgehogs, with a prevalence rate of 1.1%. The nearly full-length genome of two BuV strains, Hedgehog/331DU-2022/ITA and Hedgehog/1278DU/2019/ITA, was reconstructed. Upon phylogenetic analysis based on the NS and VP aa sequences, the Italian hedgehog BuVs tightly clustered with the BuVs recently identified in the Chinese Amur hedgehogs, within a potential novel candidate species of the genus Protoparvovirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a very common illness and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cats less than one year of age. Along with known viruses historically recognized as primary agents of AGE, in the last years deep sequencing technologies have identified a variety of novel viruses. In this study, we explored the feline enteric virome from cats with or without diarrhoea, unveiling a wide diversity of viruses. Viruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in cats, chiefly in younger animals. Enteric specimens collected from 29 cats with acute enteritis and 33 non-diarrhoeic cats were screened in PCRs and reverse transcription (RT) PCR for a large panel of enteric viruses, including also orphan viruses of recent identification. At least one viral species, including feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline enteric coronavirus (FCoV), feline chaphamaparvovirus, calicivirus (vesivirus and novovirus), feline kobuvirus, feline sakobuvirus A and Lyon IARC polyomaviruses, was detected in 66.1% of the samples.. Co-infections were mainly accounted for by FPV and FCoV and were detected in 24.2% of the samples. The virome composition was further assessed in eight diarrhoeic samples, through the construction of sequencing libraries using a sequence-independent single-primer amplification (SISPA) protocol. The libraries were sequenced on Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing platform. A total of 41 contigs (>100 nt) were detected from seven viral families infecting mammals, included Parvoviridae, Caliciviridae, Picornaviridae, Polyomaviridae, Anelloviridae, Papillomaviridae and Paramyxoviridae, revealing a broad variety in the composition of the feline enteric virome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepadnaviruses, similar to human hepatitis B virus (HBV), have recently been discovered in several mammalian species, including domestic carnivores. Circulation of hepadnaviruses in cats (domestic cat hepadnavirus, DCH) has been documented in a number of molecular surveys, demonstrating a worldwide distribution. In contrast, studies on hepadnavirus epidemiology in dogs are still limited. In this study, we screened an age-stratified collection of 600 canine sera for the presence of antibodies against the recombinant DCH core antigen (DCHCAg) and DCH surface antigen (DCHSAg). DCHC antibodies were found with an overall prevalence of 10.0% (60/600). Out of 60 positive serum samples, 30.0% (18/60) also possessed IgG anti-DCHSAg. All samples were also assessed molecularly using a pan-hepadnavirus nested-PCR and a DCH-specific quantitative PCR to investigate the presence of viral DNA, revealing a prevalence rate of 0.7% (4/600). Our results demonstrated unequivocally that hepadnaviruses genetically and antigenically related to DCH circulate actively in the canine population, albeit with a lower prevalence than in cats. The discovery of hepadnaviruses in cats (domestic cat hepadnavirus, DCH) and of a DCH-like virus in dogs has raised several questions regarding the role of these viruses in pets, with particular emphasis on their potential impact on animal health and epidemiology, as well as possible zoonotic implications. In this study, by screening an age-stratified collection of 600 canine serum samples for DCH with an ELISA assay based on the recombinant core antigen (DCHCAg), specific antibodies were found with an overall prevalence of 10.0% (60/600), with a higher prevalence in younger and older dogs. By retesting the canine DCHCAbs-positive sera with an ELISA test based on the recombinant surface protein of DCH (DCHSAg), a total of 18 sera (30%, 18/60) also contained IgG anti-DCHSAg. All the sera were also assessed molecularly using either a consensus hepadnavirus PCR or a specific real-time PCR for DCH. Hepadnavirus DNA was detected in four seronegative dogs, with a prevalence rate of 0.7% (4/600). On sequence analysis of the polymerase region amplified with pan-hepadnavirus primers, the amplicons displayed the highest nucleotide identity (97.3–99.6%) to DCH sequences detected in cats and to the domestic dog hepadnavirus recently identified in a canine serum sample from Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral pathogen affecting domestic cats, which is responsible for diverse clinical presentations, commonly including upper respiratory tract signs, oral ulcerations, and a fever. In addition, FCV infection can be associated with severe pneumonia, lameness, and virulent systemic disease. In this study, we clinically and pathologically describe a rare case of FCV-associated paw and mouth disease in a febrile household cat. The FCV strains detected in the animal and in an overtly healthy cohabiting cat were analyzed to assess the phenotype and antigenic properties. Feline calicivirus (FCV) infection in cats can led to several diverse clinical presentations, ranging from mild upper respiratory signs to virulent systemic disease. Herein, we report a paw and mouth disease case in a 7-year-old household cat due to an FCV infection. An asymptomatic cat living in the same household was also infected with FCV. Clinical and pathological investigations were combined with the molecular and phenotypical characterization of the FCV strains. The RNA of the FCV was detected using qualitative and quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assays, and FCV antigen was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. After the whole genome analysis, the strains detected in the two cats appeared to be genetically diverse from FCVs previously detected in association with paw and mouth disease and with virulent systemic disease. Interestingly, the isolates obtained in this study were resistant to low pH conditions and slightly susceptible to bile salts, but they were susceptible to a trypsin treatment, revealing a phenotype pattern that is different from that which has been observed for respiratory FCVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection represents an emerging public health concern worldwide. In industrialized countries, increasing numbers of autochthonous cases of human HEV infection are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes 3 and 4, mainly through the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meat of infected pigs and wild boars, which are considered the main reservoirs of HEV. However, in the last few years, accumulating evidence seems to indicate that several other animals, including different ruminant species, may harbor HEV. Understanding the impact of HEV infection in ruminants and identifying the risk factors affecting transmission among animals and to humans is critical in order to determine their role in the epidemiological cycle of HEV. In this review, we provide a summary of current knowledge on HEV ecology in ruminants. A growing body of evidence has revealed that these animal species may be potential important hosts of HEV, raising concerns about the possible implications for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, advances in diagnostics and deep sequencing technologies have led to the identification and characterization of novel viruses in cats as protoparviruses and chaphamaparvoviruses, unveiling the diversity of the feline virome in the respiratory tract. Observational, epidemiological and experimental data are necessary to demonstrate firmly if some viruses are able to cause disease, as this information may be confounded by virus- or host-related factors. Also, in recent years, researchers were able to monitor multiple examples of transmission to felids of viruses with high pathogenic potential, such as the influenza virus strains H5N1, H1N1, H7N2, H5N6 and H3N2, and in the late 2019, the human hypervirulent coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. These findings suggest that the study of viral infections always requires a multi-disciplinary approach inspired by the One Health vision. By reviewing the literature, we provide herewith an update on the emerging viruses identified in cats and their potential association with respiratory disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains circulating in animal reservoirs in Bulgaria is currently lacking. Herein, by screening HEV seropositive sera obtained from Bulgarian swine and wild boars, viral RNA was detected at high prevalence rate (28.2%) in industrial pigs. Sequence analysis of the partial polymerase (RdRp) region revealed the highest genetic correlation with HEVs of genotype (Gt) 3 identified in French and Dutch patients. For three such strains, a 700-bp fragment of the open reading frame 2 gene was generated. On phylogenetic analysis, the Bulgarian strains clustered tightly (93.8–98.3% nt) with human and animal HEVs classified within the Gt3 subtype c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Data on hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains circulating in carnivores are still limited. However, serological evidence suggests that their exposure to HEV infection is more common than expected. In addition, close relatives of Orthohepevirus C detected in rats and in human patients with persistent hepatitis have been detected in ferrets, minks, and foxes, providing a rationale for investigating the presence of HEV or HEV-like viruses in wild carnivores. Herewith, we report the identification and the nearly full-genome (7212 nucleotides) characterization of an HEV Gt3 strain detected in a faecal specimen collected from a wolf found dead in Northwestern Italy. This finding poses questions concerning the potential role of wolves as HEV mechanical, passive carriers, favouring the introduction and spread of HEV in the environment. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a major health problem worldwide. In developed countries, zoonotic transmission of HEV genotypes (Gt) 3 and 4 is caused by the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat of infected pigs and wild boars, the main reservoirs of HEV. However, additional animals may harbour HEV or HEV-related strains, including carnivores. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of orthohepeviruses in wild canids by screening a total of 136 archival faecal samples, collected from wolves (42) and red foxes (94) in Northwestern Italy. Orthohepevirus RNA was identified in a faecal specimen, collected from a wolf carcass in the province of La Spezia (Liguria Region, Italy). The nearly full-length (7212 nucleotides) genome of the strain HEV/81236/Wolf/2019/ITA (GenBank accession no. MZ463196) was determined by combining a sequence-independent single-primer amplification (SISPA) approach with the Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing platform. Upon phylogenetic analysis, the HEV detected in wolf was segregated into clade HEV-3.1, displaying the highest nucleotide (nt) identity (89.0–93.3%) to Gt3 strains belonging to subtype c. Interestingly, the wolf faecal sample also contained porcine astrovirus sequences, endorsing the hypothesis of a dietary origin of the HEV strain due to preying habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis in humans and represents an emerging public health concern worldwide. In developed countries, zoonotic transmission of HEV genotypes 3 and 4 is caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat of infected swine or wild boars, the main reservoirs of HEV. However, in the last few years, molecular and serological evidence seem to indicate that several other animal species may act as HEV host, including domestic and wild ruminants. In this study, serum and fecal specimens from sheep, goats, red deer, roe deer, chamois, and Alpine ibex collected in two northwestern Italian regions (Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta) were screened molecularly and serologically. With the exception of chamois, HEV antibodies were found both in the domestic and wild ruminant species investigated with the highest rates in sheep and goats. These findings demonstrate that wild also domestic ruminants may be implicated in the viral cycle transmission. In industrialized countries, increasing autochthonous infections of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes (Gts) 3 and 4, mainly through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked pork meat. Although swine and wild boar are recognized as the main reservoir for Gt3 and Gt4, accumulating evidence indicates that other animal species, including domestic and wild ruminants, may harbor HEV. Herein, we screened molecularly and serologically serum and fecal samples from two domestic and four wild ruminant species collected in Valle d'Aosta and Piemonte regions (northwestern Italy. HEV antibodies were found in sheep (21.6%), goats (11.4%), red deer (2.6%), roe deer (3.1%), and in Alpine ibex (6.3%). Molecular screening was performed using different primer sets targeting highly conserved regions of hepeviruses and HEV RNA, although at low viral loads, was detected in four fecal specimens (3.0%, 4/134) collected from two HEV seropositive sheep herds. Taken together, the data obtained document the circulation of HEV in the geographical area assessed both in wild and domestic ruminants, but with the highest seroprevalence in sheep and goats. Consistently with results from other studies conducted in southern Italy, circulation of HEV among small domestic ruminants seems to occur more frequently than expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent development of unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing has provided a richer view of the wild animal virome making it necessary to expand the knowledge about virus diversity in wildlife, as well as to monitor their potential transmission to domestic animals or humans. In the present study, by screening collections of enteric specimens from wild animals, a novel picornavirus was identified in the intestinal content of a badger ( Meles meles ). By enrichment with a sequence-independent single-primer amplification (SISPA) approach and deep sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform, the genome sequence of a novel picornavirus strain, Badger/3A-2019/ITA, was reconstructed. On comparison based on the polyprotein sequences, the virus was distantly related (58.7% and 59.7% sequence identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively) to the feline picornavirus strain FFUP1, identified in 2012 in Portugal and classified into genus Sakobovirus within the species Sakobuvirus A . Upon phylogenetic, pairwise homology, and distance analyses performed on the P1, 2C hel , 3C pro , and 3D pol proteins and the complete genomic sequence, the badger picornavirus may be considered a member of a new sakobuvirus species, which we propose as Sakobuvirus B.