Copiparvovirus Extension Data - giffordlabcvr/Parvovirus-GLUE GitHub Wiki
Background
The genus Copiparvovirus includes viruses that have only been identified in mammals, although their clinical significance remains uncertain, and none have been successfully cultured in vitro. This genus was first discovered through DNA sequencing in cows and pigs, with subsequent identification of Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) in horses. These viruses have genomes ranging from 5.3 to 5.9 kb, containing NS and VP genes. EqPV-H has been linked to Theiler's disease in horses, a form of acute hepatic necrosis first reported in 1918. Although EqPV-H mostly causes mild hepatitis, it has been confirmed as the primary pathogen responsible for this rare but severe liver disease through modern genomic techniques.
Equine parvovirus-hepatitis has a global distribution, with evidence of its presence in horses dating back at least 40 years. The virus is typically associated with subclinical or mild liver disease, but a small proportion of infected horses may develop severe hepatitis, leading to massive hepatocyte necrosis. Transmission of EqPV-H is documented through the administration of equine biological products, and other transmission routes are still being studied. Viral shedding through oral, nasal, and fecal routes has been observed, and a possible seasonal pattern in non-iatrogenic cases suggests an insect vector, although this has not been conclusively demonstrated. The exact mechanisms governing tissue tropism and disease severity remain unknown, but the virus's presence in both healthy and diseased horses raises important questions about its broader health impacts.
In addition to EqPV-H, several other Copiparvovirus species have been detected in different mammalian hosts, including cattle, pigs, deer, and sea lions. Notably, Bovine parvovirus 2 (BPV2) and Porcine parvovirus 4 (PPV4) have been found in various tissues and products from both healthy and sick animals, though their pathogenicity remains unclear. Other members of the genus, such as Horse parvovirus-CSF and Roe deer parvovirus (RdPV), have been identified in animals with neurological or respiratory signs, and transmission routes involving ticks have been hypothesized but not confirmed. The detection of these viruses in multiple species, across a wide geographical range, suggests that Copiparvoviruses may be more widespread than previously thought, although much remains to be learned about their biology and clinical significance.
Reference Sequences
Tabular data summarising copiparvovirus species reference sequences can be found here.
Multiple Sequence Alignments
Multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) spanning complete copiparvovirus genomes can be found here.