Identification of a Novel Hepacivirus in White - tipped Shrew (Crocidura dracula) from Yunnan, China

Abstract

Abstract Hepacivirusgenus contains single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses belonging to the family Flaviviridae, which contains 14 species. The 14 hepaciviruses were found in different mammals, such as primates, dogs, bats and rodents. To date, hepacivirus has not been reported in Crocidura animals. To study the prevalence and genetic evolution of hepacivirus in small mammals in Yunnan Province. Molecular detection of hepacivirus in small mammals from Yunnan Province during 2016- 2017 was performed by RT-PCR. Test results showed that the infection rate of hepacivirus in small mammals was 0.12% (2/1602), and the host animal was Crocidura dracula. Phylogenetic analysis and genetic analysis showed hepaciviruses obtained in this study don’t belong to any species of hepaciviruses, and form an independent clade. In general, a novel hepacivirus was identified for the first time in C. dracula specimens from Yunnan, China. And this study expanded the host range and viral diversity of hepaciviruses.