Molecular evolution pattern of Merkel cell polyomavirus identified by viral metagenomics in plasma of high-risk blood donors from the Brazilian Amazon

Autor(es)

Bezerra, Rafael dos Santos ^[1] ; Bitencourt, Hellen Tayana ^[2] ; Covas, Dimas Tadeu ^[1] ; Kashima, Simone ^[1] ; Slavov, Svetoslav Nanev ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Reg Blood Ctr Ribeirao Preto, BR-14051140 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Hematol & Hemotherapy Amapa, BR-68900074 Macapa, Amapa - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION; v. 85, NOV 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a common human skin pathogen, shows high seroprevalence and is considered the etiologic agent of Merkel cell carcinoma. However, studies which detect MCPyV DNA in blood products may reveal the importance of this virus for the transfusion medicine. In this study we analyzed by viral metagenomics 36 plasma samples obtained from blood donors positive for the common blood transmitted in-fections from the city of Macapa (Brazilian Amazon). The generated raw data were were analyzed through a specific bioinformatics pipeline aimed at discovery of emerging viruses. The genomes of interest were analyzed phylogeographically and phylogenetically. MCPyV complete genome was recovered from one HBV-positive pool with high coverage (similar to 223x) indicating acute viremia or reactivated infection. Interestingly, the phylogeographic position of the identified strain suggests its ancestry compared to MCPyV isolate from Colombian Amazon which hypothesizes that viral dissemination in the Amazon may have originated from Brazil. In conclusion, this study brings information for the genetic relationships of MCPyV isolated from blood donors from the Brazilian Amazon and demonstrates the possible phylogeographic behavior of our strain in relation to the other findings. We also demonstrated a strong evidence of viremic MCPyV phase in blood donations, however, more studies are necessary in order to understand the MCPyV impact on transfusion therapy. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/08528-0 - Aplicação de métodos de bioinformática para identificação de infecções virais com impacto em hemoterapia
• Beneficiário: Rafael dos Santos Bezerra
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 17/23205-8 - Avaliação do impacto de vírus emergentes e re-emergentes em hemoterapia e transplante de células-tronco por meio de técnicas moleculares avançadas
• Beneficiário: Svetoslav Nanev Slavov
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 18/15826-5 - Avaliação do impacto de vírus emergentes e re-emergentes em hemoterapia e transplante de células-tronco por meio de técnicas moleculares avançadas
• Beneficiário: Svetoslav Nanev Slavov
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 19/07861-8 - Desenvolvimento de um pipeline de bioinformática para identificação de doenças infecciosas emergentes em pacientes em regime de transfusão crônica
• Beneficiário: Ian Nunes Valença
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado