Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic characterization of a novel bat-associated picornavirus-like virus with an unusual genome organization.

Link to Pubmed [PMID] – 31785365

Link to DOI – S1567-1348(19)30356-910.1016/j.meegid.2019.104130

Infect Genet Evol 2020 03; 78(): 104130

The order Picornavirales is one of the most important viral orders in terms of virus diversity and genome organizations, ranging from a mono- or bi-cistronic expression strategies to the recently described poly-cistronic Polycipiviridae viruses. We report here the description and characterization of a novel picorna-like virus identified in rectal swabs of frugivorous bats in Cambodia that presents an unusual genome organization. Kandabadicivirus presents a unique genome architecture and distant phylogenetic relationship to the proposed Badiciviridae family. These findings highlight a high mosaicism of genome organizations among the Picornavirales.