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This study aims to determine the presence of norovirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and bocavirus in air samples from a tertiary care hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Air samples were collected in water using the BioSampler and concentrated using speedVac centrifugation. Based on RT-qPCR, norovirus RNA and SARS-CoV-2 RNA were detected in 13/60 (21.7%) and 3/60 (5.0%) of samples, respectively. One air sample had a weak positivity for both norovirus and SARS-CoV-2 RNAs. Detection rate of norovirus genogroup (G) II (13.3%) was higher than norovirus GI (6.7%). One air sample (1.7%) tested positive for GI and GII. The norovirus GI RNA concentration was 6.0 × 10 2 genome copies/m 3 . The norovirus GII RNA concentrations ranged from 3.4 × 10 1 to 5.0 × 10 3 genome copies/m 3 . Based on RT-nested PCR, norovirus GII was detected in two (3.3%) samples. All samples tested negative for GI RNA and bocavirus DNA. By phylogenetic analysis, GII.17, which is closely related to the outbreak Kawasaki308/JPN/2015 strain, was found in the RT-nested PCR-positive samples. This study highlights the potential of aerosols for norovirus and SARS-CoV-2 transmission and probably cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, respectively.

A new species of parvovirus, tentatively named human bocavirus 4 (HBoV4), was genetically characterized. Among 641 feces samples obtained from children and adults, the most commonly detected bocavirus species were, in descending order, HBoV2, HBoV3, HBoV4, and HBoV1, with an HBoV2 prevalence of 21% and 26% in Nigerian and Tunisian children, respectively. HBoV3 or HBoV4 species were found in 12 of 192 patients with non-polio acute flaccid paralysis in Tunisia and Nigeria and 0 of 96 healthy Tunisian contacts (P= .01). Evidence of extensive recombination at the NP1 and VP1 gene boundary between and within bocavirus species was found. The high degree of genetic diversity seen among the human bocaviruses found in feces specimens, relative to the highly homogeneous HBoV1, suggest that this worldwide-distributed respiratory pathogen may have recently evolved from an enteric bocavirus after acquiring an expanded tropism favoring the respiratory tract. Elucidating the possible role of the newly identified enteric bocaviruses in human diseases, including acute flaccid paralysis and diarrhea, will require further epidemiological studies.

Viral metagenomic analysis was used to identify a previously uncharacterized parvovirus species, “HBoV2,” whose closest phylogenetic relative is the human bocavirus (HBoV). HBoV2 has a genomic organization identical to that of HBoV but has only 78%, 67%, and 80% identity, respectively, with the latter's NS1, NP1, and VP1/VP2 proteins. The study used polymerase chain reaction to detect HBoV2 sequences in 5 of 98 stool samples from Pakistani children and in 3 of 699 stool samples from Edinburgh. Nearly-full-length genome sequencing revealed the presence of 3 HBoV2 genotypes and evidence of recombination between genotypes. Further studies are necessary to identify anatomical sites of HBoV2 replication and potential associations with clinical symptoms or disease.

The inability to propagate porcine bocavirus (PBoV) in vitro has severely impeded research into its fundamental biology and pathogenic potential since its discovery 15 years ago. This study reports the successful isolation and characterization of a novel PBoV strain, PBoV-CNH, from diarrheic piglets in China. Crucially, PBoV-CNH was isolated and propagated in LLC-PK1 cells, a kidney-derived cell line from 3-4-week-old pigs, matching the age of the susceptible host. This represents the first documented isolation of PBoV in a continuous cell line. The isolate exhibited typical bocavirus morphology (20–30 nm particles), shared 94.15% whole-genome nucleotide identity with the NCBI reference strain (NC_016031.1), and displayed hemagglutination activity (HA) characteristic of Parvoviridae . Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PBoV-CNH clusters within a clade containing human bocaviruses (HBoVs), highlighting close genetic relatedness. Experimental infection of piglets confirmed PBoV-CNH as a primary pathogen. Notably, the virus exhibited dual tissue tropism: orally infected piglets developed acute diarrhea with high intestinal viral loads, while intranasally infected piglets showed diarrhea, significant lung pathology, and the highest viral loads in respiratory tissues. This efficient replication and shedding in the respiratory tract, combined with phylogenetic proximity to HBoVs and a previously reported human-PBoV infection case, signals a tangible risk of cross-species transmission. To our knowledge, this work constitutes the first successful in vitro propagation of PBoV and provides definitive experimental evidence, fulfilling Koch’s postulates, of its in vivo pathogenicity and tissue tropism. These findings provide essential tools and foundational insights for future research into PBoV biology, transmission, and control strategies.

An unexplained outbreak of feline diarrhea and vomiting, negative for common enteric viral and bacterial pathogens, was subjected to viral metagenomics and PCR. We characterized from fecal samples the genome of a novel chapparvovirus we named fechavirus that was shed by 8/17 affected cats and identified three different feline bocaviruses shed by 9/17 cats. Also detected were nucleic acids from attenuated vaccine viruses, members of the normal feline virome, viruses found in only one or two cases, and viruses likely derived from ingested food products. Epidemiological investigation of disease signs, time of onset, and transfers of affected cats between three facilities support a possible role for this new chapparvovirus in a highly contagious feline diarrhea and vomiting disease.

Objective Human Bocavirus (HBoV) was first identified in 2005 and has been shown to be a common cause of respiratory infections and gastroenteritis in children. In a recent study, we found that 10.7% of children with acute respiratory infections (ARI) were infected by HBoV. Genetic characterization of this virus remains unknown in Central Africa, particularly in Cameroon Leeding us to evaluate the molecular characteristics of HBoV strains in Cameroonian children with ARI. Results Phylogenetic analysis of partial HBoV VP1/2 sequences showed a low level of nucleotide variation and the circulation of HBoV genotype 1 (HBoV-1) only. Three clades were obtained, two clustering with each of the reference strains ST1 and ST2, and a third group consisting of only Cameroon strains. By comparing with the Swedish reference sequences, ST1 and ST2, Cameroon sequences showed nucleotide and amino acid similarities of respectively 97.36–100% and 98.35–100%. These results could help improve strategies for monitoring and control of respiratory infections in Cameroon.

Background. Human bocavirus is a newly discovered parvovirus. It has been detected primarily in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection, but its occurrence, clinical profile, and role as a causative agent of respiratory tract disease are not clear. Methods. We investigated the presence of human bocavirus by quantitative polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens and selected serum samples obtained from 259 children (median age, 1.6 years) who had been hospitalized for acute expiratory wheezing. The samples were analyzed for 16 respiratory viruses by polymerase chain reaction, virus culture, antigen detection, and serological assays. Results. At least 1 potential etiologic agent was detected in 95% of children, and >1 agent was detected in 34% of children. Human bocavirus was detected in 49 children (19%). A large proportion of the cases were mixed infections with other viruses, but human bocavirus was the only virus detected in 12 children (5%). High viral loads of human bocavirus were noted mainly in the absence of other viral agents, suggesting a causative role for acute wheezing. In addition, infections that had uncertain clinical relevance and low viral loads were prevalent. Human bocavirus DNA was frequently detected in serum specimens obtained from patients with acute wheezing, suggesting systemic infection. Conclusions. Human bocavirus is prevalent among children with acute wheezing and can cause systemic infection. Results suggest a model for bocavirus infection in which high viral loads are potentially associated with respiratory symptoms and low viral loads indicate asymptomatic shedding. Therefore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis may be important for additional studies of human bocavirus.

Background. Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV-1) is frequently detected in young children. The role of HBoV-1 in respiratory illness is unclear, owing to frequent detection in asymptomatic children. Methods. Weekly oral fluid samples from a longitudinal cohort of infants were tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for HBoV-1 DNA. Symptoms during HBoV-1 primary shedding events were compared to those during 14-day control periods occurring 1 month prior to and following the primary event. Eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed to assess HBoV-1 variants. Results. Sixty-six of 87 children (76%), followed for at least 18 months from birth, had a primary HBoV-1 infection. HBoV-1 was consistently detected for >1 month (maximum duration, 402 days) following 42 of 66 primary shedding events. Children were more likely to experience new cough symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-5.5) and to visit a healthcare provider (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.02-7.7) during the 14 days surrounding the time of initial detection of HBoV-1. Recurrent HBoV-1 shedding events were found in 33 children (50%). Twelve of 48 children with HBoV-1 variant data had multiple viral allelic patterns over time. Conclusions. HBoV-1 primary shedding events are associated with mild respiratory illness with subsequent prolonged detection of HBoV-1 DNA for up to a year. HBoV-1 reinfection contributes to long-term shedding.

Human bocavirus (HBoV) has been identified as a viral agent with a global presence, especially in young patients with gastrointestinal infections. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological patterns of the HBoVs associated with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in Taiwan. A total of 2994 AGE fecal samples from several diarrhea outbreaks from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. From the samples, 73 positive samples were detected in three different bocaviruses: 30 (41.1%) were from HBoV1; 37 (50.7%) were from HBoV2; and 6 (8.2%) were from HBoV3, revealing the respective prevalences in AGE of 1%, 1.2%, and 0.2%. HBoV1 and HBoV2 were the two major epidemic agents of HBoVs in Taiwan during this study period and have seasonal distinct patterns with an epidemic peak from October to the following March. Phylogeny reconstruction and evaluation were implemented in Mega X; the results revealed that most HBoV1 strains in Taiwan appeared to be closely related to those strains from other Asian countries. The HBoV2 exhibited substantial genetic diversity and the HBoV3 genes showed discordance of groups.

Human bocaparvovirus (HBoV) is an emerging virus with worldwide distribution, may be associated with cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). To date, four types of HBoV have been characterized: HBoV1, HBoV2, HBoV3 and HBoV4. This study aimed to investigate HBoV in asymptomatic and symptomatic children for AGE from a Quilombola community located in Northern, Brazil, during April 2008 to September 2010. A total of 300 fecal specimens were collected and viral genomic DNA was extracted, amplified using the PCR assay, and subject to sequencing to determine HBoV genotype. HBoV was detected in 11.3% (34/300) of the samples, 12.50% (12/96) from symptomatic and 10.78% (22/204) asymptomatic children. Co-detection with other enteric viruses was reported in 20.6% (7/34) of specimens. Three genotypes of HBoV were detected with the most predominance of HBoV1 (64.7%), followed by HBoV4 (20.6%) and HBoV2 (14.7%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Brazilian HBoV are closely related with strains from South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. This is the first description of HBoV in a Quilombola community in Brazil, and this study highlights the ability of the virus to remain in silent circulation in the community, reinforce the need for active monitoring in order to avoid problems public health futures.