Molecular identification of enteroviruses from cattle and goat feces and environment in Thailand.

The identification and characterization of the viruses of the genus Enterovirus in healthy and infected livestock, including cattle and goats, have been increasing. Enterovirus E (EV-E) and F (EV-F) are commonly found in cattle, whereas Enterovirus G (EV-G) is found in goats. In this study, molecular and phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine the prevalence of EVs in cattle and goat feces from the Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The presence of EVs in water samples and feces of other animals collected from the areas surrounding cattle and goat farms was also investigated. Using 5'-UTR real-time RT-PCR, EVs were detected in 39.5% cattle samples, 47% goat samples, 35.3% water samples, and one pool of chicken feces. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of EV-E and EV-F in cattle, EV-E and EV-G in goats, and EV-F in water samples and chicken feces. The analysis of enteroviral VP1 sequences from cattle revealed that the EV-E genotypes circulating in the study region were EV-E1, with a possible new genotype that is closely related to that of EV-E2. The analysis of enteroviral VP1 sequences from goat suggested the circulation of EV-G5 and a possible new genotype that is closely related to EV-G20. Sequence analyses also suggested that, although the VP1 sequences from goats were closely related to those of EV-G, which were considered as porcine enterovirus, their 5'-UTR form a separated cluster with the sequences of sheep and goat origins, suggesting a new classification of the ovine/caprine-specific enterovirus group. IMPORTANCE Possible new EV-E and EV-G genotypes were identified from EVs detected in this study. The EV-E viruses were also successfully isolated from MDBK cells. The goat EV sequence analysis suggested the presence of ovine/caprine-specific EV group that is different from EV-G of the porcine origin. The significance of our research is in identifying and characterizing possible novel EVs, thereby indicating that enteroviruses in animals are continually evolving. The fact that enteroviruses can persist and contaminate in the environment for long durations and be transmitted between animals raises serious concerns regarding this group of viruses as an emerging livestock pathogen.