# Molecular Characterization of Gyrovirus galga 1 in Domestic Dogs in the North of Vietnam Indicates the Presence of Recombination Events

## TL;DR

This study identifies Gyrovirus galga 1 in dogs in northern Vietnam and finds evidence of genetic recombination among the virus strains.

## Contribution

The study reports the first detection of GyVg1 in Vietnam and provides evidence of recombination events in the virus.

## Key findings

- GyVg1 was detected in 10.71% of 168 fecal samples from dogs in northern Vietnam.
- Six Vietnamese GyVg1 strains were grouped into two distinct lineages and showed high genetic similarity to Chinese strains.
- A recombinant GyVg1 strain (GyVg1/Dog/VNUA-06) was identified, indicating genetic recombination events.

## Abstract

A total of 168 fecal samples were obtained from both diarrheic dogs exhibiting clinical symptoms and clinically healthy individuals across four provinces/cities in Northern Vietnam. Based on a polymerase chain reaction method, the Gyrovirus gala 1 (GyVg1) genome was found in 18 (10.71%) of 168 samples. Six representative GyVg1 genomes identified in Vietnam were each 2375 nucleotides long. They shared nucleotide identities of 94.98–98.62%. Whole genome phylogenetic analysis showed that the six obtained GyVg1 strains were grouped into two distinct lineages: GyVg1 I (2/6 strains) and GyVg1 II (4/6 strains). Vietnamese GyVg1 strains were genetically related to Chinese strains. Multiple residue replacements were identified in VP (VP1–VP3) proteins of the Vietnamese GyVg1 strains. A recombination event led to the emergence of the GyVg1/Dog/VNUA-06 recombinant strain. Overall, these observations indicate the presence of GyVg1 viruses in domestic dogs in the North of Vietnam.