First Report on Detection and Molecular Characterization of Astroviruses in Mongooses

Abstract

Applying a pan-astrovirus (AstV) RT-hemi-nested PCR assay, we report here high detection rates (28.3%, 15/53) of AstVs in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts. Based on deduced amino acid (aa) identities and phylogenetic analysis of long RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequences (~315 aa, partial RdRp), the AstVs detected in the mongooses (designated as Mon-AstVs) were classified into two distinct groups (deduced aa identities of 66.45–67.30% between the groups). The putative RdRps of the Mon-AstVs shared low deduced aa identities with those of AstVs from other host species (Astroviridae.

Keywords

• astroviruses
• small Indian mongoose
• RNA-dependent RNA polymerase