Metagenomic Detection and Genetic Characterization of Human Sapoviruses among Children with Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Nigeria
Uwem Etop George,
Temitope O. C. Faleye,
Lander De Coninck,
Sheriff Tunde Agbaje,
Ijeoma Maryjoy Ifeorah,
Bernard Anyebe Onoja,
Elijah Igbekele Oni,
Adebowale Oluseyi Olayinka,
Toluwani Goodnews Ajileye,
Arthur Obinna Oragwa,
Toluwanimi Emmanuel Akinleye,
Bolutife Olubukola Popoola,
Oluwadamilola Gideon Osasona,
Olaitan Titilola Olayinka,
Oluwadamilola Adefunke George,
Ahmed Iluoreh Muhammad,
Isaac Komolafe,
Adekunle Johnson Adeniji,
Jelle Matthijnssens,
Moses Olubusuyi Adewumi
Affiliations
Uwem Etop George
African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede 232101, Nigeria
Temitope O. C. Faleye
Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Lander De Coninck
Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Sheriff Tunde Agbaje
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Ijeoma Maryjoy Ifeorah
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400241, Nigeria
Bernard Anyebe Onoja
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Elijah Igbekele Oni
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Adebowale Oluseyi Olayinka
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Toluwani Goodnews Ajileye
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Arthur Obinna Oragwa
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos 930003, Nigeria
Toluwanimi Emmanuel Akinleye
Phytomedicine Unit, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
Bolutife Olubukola Popoola
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Oluwadamilola Gideon Osasona
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede 232101, Nigeria
Olaitan Titilola Olayinka
National Polio Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Oluwadamilola Adefunke George
National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930101, Nigeria
Ahmed Iluoreh Muhammad
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Isaac Komolafe
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede 232101, Nigeria
Adekunle Johnson Adeniji
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Jelle Matthijnssens
Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Moses Olubusuyi Adewumi
Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria
Using a metagenomic sequencing approach on stool samples from children with Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), we describe the genetic diversity of Sapoviruses (SaVs) in children in Nigeria. We identified six complete genome sequences and two partial genome sequences. Several SaV genogroups and genotypes were detected, including GII (GII.4 and GII.8), GIV (GIV.1), and GI (GI.2 and GI.7). To our knowledge, this is the first description of SaV infections and complete genomes from Nigeria. Pairwise identity and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Nigerian SaVs were related to previously documented gastroenteritis outbreaks with associated strains from China and Japan. Minor variations in the functional motifs of the nonstructural proteins NS3 and NS5 were seen in the Nigerian strains. To adequately understand the effect of such amino acid changes, a better understanding of the biological function of these proteins is vital. The identification of distinct SaVs reinforces the need for robust surveillance in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and non-AGE cohorts to better understand SaVs genotype diversity, evolution, and its role in disease burden in Nigeria. Future studies in different populations are, therefore, recommended.
