Molecular evidence of rat bocavirus among rodents in Peninsular Malaysia

• 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: Article
• Published: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 2022
• Subjects: R Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/41233/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

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.