Identification and genome characterization of novel parechovirus sequences from Hipposideros armiger in China

BACKGROUND: Bats were identified as a natural reservoir of emerging and re-emerging infectious pathogens threatening human health and life. METHODS: This study collected 21 fecal samples of Hipposideros armiger in Mengla County of Xishuangbanna Prefecture Yunnan Province to combine one pool for viral metagenomic sequencing. RESULTS: Two nearly complete genomes of parechoviruses, BPeV11 and BPeV20, were sequenced. Genome analysis revealed that BPeV11 and BPeV20 follow a 3-3-4 genome layout: 5′ UTR-VP0-VP3-VP1-2A-2B-2C-3A-3B-3C-3D-3′ UTR. The prevalence of BPev11 and BPev20 by Nested-PCR showed that 1 of 21 fecal samples was positive. Based on amino acid identity comparison and phylogenetic analysis of P1, 2C, and 3D, BPeV11 and BPeV20 were closely related to but distinct from FPeVs. CONCLUSION: It was probably proposed to be a novel species in the genus Parechovirus of the family Picornaviridae. The isolation of BPev11 and BPev20 from H. armiger in China is the first complete genome of parechovirus isolations from bat feces of the genus Hipposideros. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-022-01806-1.