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This study aimed to explore the phylogenetic and molecular characteristics of feline astrovirus. A total of 33 fecal samples of domestic cats with or without diarrhea were collected from the Anhui province, and two positive samples were detected. The complete genome and ORF2 of the two strains were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. AH-1-2020 and AH-2-2020 displayed 83.4% homology, and their homologies with other reference strains were 75.3%–83.4% and 83.4%–95.0%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that all strains could be classified into three different clusters; therefore, the mean amino acid genetic distances (p-dist) among the three clusters were estimated. The results suggested that the two strains and other FeAstV strains were grouped into three genotypes, with AH-1-2020 belonging to a novel genotype. High similarity was observed (65.9%–66.5% nucleotide identity and 63.8%–64.8% amino acid identity) in ORF2 between porcine astrovirus type 1 and AH-1-2020. Furthermore, inter-specific recombination between porcine astrovirus type 1 and FeAstV was observed. We, therefore, inferred that inter-specific transmission may exist between pigs and cats; however, further studies are required to verify this. This is the first report on the genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of FeAstVs in the Anhui province and would further the current understanding of the genetic diversity and epidemiology of FeAstVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) was first detected in Guangdong province of China in 2017. And yet from May 2021 to Jun 2023, there were no SADS-CoV outbreaks. In this study, we reported the recent outbreak of SADS-CoV in China on Jun 2023. Phylogenetic analysis showed the novel strain was derived from the ongoing transmission and evolution of SADS-CoV in China, rather than a separate cross-species transmission from bats. Also, the novel strain was found to participate in a recombant event as a minor parent and a missing base in the genome was discovered indicating an novel evolutionary pathway. Through virulence assays in piglets, we further determined that novel strain (SADS-CoV/HNNY/2023) was a highly virulent SADS-CoV strain with typical clinical symptoms: acute diarrhea, vomiting, rapid weight loss. Therefore, the re-emergence of SADS-CoV strains should be brought to people's attention. • We report the first re-appearance of SADS-CoV since 2021. • This is the first outbreak of SADS-CoV in inland China. • The novel strain was derived from the ongoing transmission and evolution of SADS-CoV. • The novel strain (SADS-CoV/HNNY/2023) was a highly virulent SADS-CoV strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome (HHS) is an important emerging disease responsible for huge economic losses to the poultry industry in China. HHS primarily affects 20 to 60-day-old broilers and rarely occurs in laying flock. In this study, the highly pathogenic fowl adenovirus (FAdV) strain, AH-F19, was isolated from the liver samples of 120-day-old laying flock with HHS and its phylogenetic information, genetic mutations, and pathogenicity was evaluated. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that AH-F19 belonged to the FAdV serotype 4 (FAdV-4) cluster, however, 100K differs from the other FAdV-4 strains and is divided into different branches. Amino acid variations in fiber-2 for pathogenic isolates and non-pathogenic isolates indicated that D219, T300, and T380 may not be responsible for virulence. Animal experiments revealed AH-F19 to be a highly pathogenic isolate that can cause 100% mortality in three-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens, which exhibited typical hydropericardium and hepatitis. Microscopically, the presence of basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes, fractured heart muscle fibers, as well as kidney degeneration and necrosis was observed. Collectively, these findings enriched our understanding of FAdV-4 pathogenicity and provided a reference for further exploration into its pathogenicity. • The FAdV-4 strain isolated from 120-day-old hens. • D219, T300, and T380 of fiber-2 protein may not be responsible for virulence, inconsistent with previous findings. • The 100K of AH-F19 is different from the other FAdV-4 strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This is the first systematic phylogenetic analysis of GAstV in Anhui, China. • GAstV was isolated in 35/48 samples from goslings with gout in Anhui Province. • Whole genomes of five GAstV strains were obtained. • Anhui strains had high sequence similarity with the Shandong strain SDPY. • The JSHA strain and AHAU2 strain both resulted from recombination events. Goose astrovirus (GAstV) causes a novel disease characterized by urate deposition in the viscera and joints in goslings in many provinces of China, leading to huge economic losses in the goose industry. To better understand the genetic diversity of GAstV in the Anhui Province, Central-Eastern China, 48 kidney samples from goslings with gout were subjected to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for detecting GAstV, and phylogenetic analysis of whole genomes and ORFs was performed. Thirty-five samples were GAstV-positive, indicating that the virus is a frequent cause of gout. The whole genomes of 5 GAstV strains were successfully sequenced and named AHAU1–5. The sequenced genomes and those of reference GAstV strains in GenBank displayed 97.4–99.8% similarity. The isolates had high nucleotide sequence similarity with the GAstV reference strain SDPY. A phylogenetic analysis showed that AHAU1 and AHAU4 were closely related to the reference strain SDPY; AHAU2, AHAU3, and AHAU5 formed separate branches. Furthermore, recombination analysis revealed putative recombination sites in the Jiangsu strains that originated from strains in the Anhui and Shandong Provinces, accompanied by the recombination of different strains in the Anhui Province. This study is the first to carry out systematic phylogenetic analysis of GAstV isolated in the Anhui Province, Central-Eastern China. By improving our understanding of the diversity of GAstV in the Anhui Province, these results provide a basis for the prevention and control of its spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]