Identification of a pegivirus (GB virus-like virus) that infects horses.
Kapoor A., Simmonds P., Cullen JM., Scheel TKH., Medina JL., Giannitti F., Nishiuchi E., Brock KV., Burbelo PD., Rice CM., Lipkin WI.
The recent identification of nonprimate hepaciviruses in dogs and then in horses prompted us to look for pegiviruses (GB virus-like viruses) in these species. Although none were detected in canines, we found widespread natural infection of horses by a novel pegivirus. Unique genomic features and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the tentatively named equine pegivirus (EPgV) represents a novel species within the Pegivirus genus. We also determined that EPgV causes persistent viremia whereas its clinical significance is undetermined.