title: Detection and characterisation of novel bocavirus (genus Bocaparvovirus) and gastroenteritis viruses from asymptomatic pigs in Ireland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Livestock animals have been the assumed source of several human epidemics in recent years, for example, influenza H1N1, rotavirus G8/G9, and MERS-CoV. Surveillance of novel viruses in animals is essential to evaluate the risk to human and animal health and to determine any economic impact, for example, failure to thrive. There is a paucity of data regarding detection and characterisation of gastroenteritis viruses, particularly novel viruses, in porcines in Ireland. Recently, a number of small novel porcine DNA viruses have emerged globally, for example, torque teno sus virus, porcine bocavirus, and parvoviruses 2 & 4, and little is known about the biology and potential pathogenicity of these viruses. Bocaparvovirus is a genetically distinct group of viruses which has been recently detected in humans and animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the presence of gastroenteritis viruses (rotavirus A, porcine circovirus, adenovirus, and porcine bocavirus) was investigated in a selection of archived faecal samples from asymptomatic piglets from a commercial farm in Ireland. A total of 104 specimens were pooled and screened using conventional molecular techniques (PCR and RT-PCR), a subset of specimens (n=44) were then examined individually. Viral diversity was then investigated using statistical and phylogenetic techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial screening showed a high prevalence of PBoV in this farm, with the formation of three distinct groups in phylogenetic analysis. Other viruses were also investigated in this study with the first report of PCV, PAdV and lineage I G5 RVA in Ireland. Some specimens contained >1 virus, with statistical analysis indicating a strong correlation for mixed infections of PBoV and PAdV on this farm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Investigating the diversity of circulating enteric viruses on Irish porcine farms is important to improve the prophylactic tools available and to facilitate the early detection of changes in circulating viruses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Patrick James
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Physio & Pop Sc, Science Centre - South, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Séamus
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fanning
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKillen
authors.affiliation: School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland; helen.oshea@cit.ie.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: O'Shea
keywords: Bocaparvovirus; bocavirus; gastroenteritis; porcine