Detection and characterization of human bocaparvovirus in children with and without acute gastroenteritis in African-descendant community of Northern Brazil

TL;DR

This study detects human bocaparvovirus in children from a Brazilian community, finding it in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.

Contribution

The first report of HBoV in a Quilombola community and evidence of its silent circulation.

Findings

HBoV was detected in 11.3% of children, with no significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.

Three genotypes were identified: HBoV1 was most prevalent, followed by HBoV4 and HBoV2.

Brazilian HBoV strains are phylogenetically related to global strains from multiple regions.

Abstract

Human bocaparvovirus (HBoV) is an emerging virus with worldwide distribution, may be associated with cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). To date, four types of HBoV have been characterized: HBoV1, HBoV2, HBoV3 and HBoV4. This study aimed to investigate HBoV in asymptomatic and symptomatic children for AGE from a Quilombola community located in Northern, Brazil, during April 2008 to September 2010. A total of 300 fecal specimens were collected and viral genomic DNA was extracted, amplified using the PCR assay, and subject to sequencing to determine HBoV genotype. HBoV was detected in 11.3% (34/300) of the samples, 12.50% (12/96) from symptomatic and 10.78% (22/204) asymptomatic children. Co-detection with other enteric viruses was reported in 20.6% (7/34) of specimens. Three genotypes of HBoV were detected with the most predominance of HBoV1 (64.7%), followed by HBoV4 (20.6%) and HBoV2 (14.7%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Brazilian HBoV are closely related with strains from South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. This is the first description of HBoV in a Quilombola community in Brazil, and this study highlights the ability of the virus to remain in silent circulation in the community, reinforce the need for active monitoring in order to avoid problems public health futures.

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