First molecular characterization of Dobrava-Belgrade virus found in Apodemus flavicollis in Poland

Introduction. Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) is one of the emerging pathogens which have been reported during the last decades in Europe and have attracted the attention of researchers. The course of infection among humans may have a varied course – from the completely asymptomatic to the more severe forms, such as haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). DOBV is hosted and carried by rodents like Apodemus flavicollis or A. agrarius, which occur commonly in Europe. Objective. To-date, orthohantaviruses have been reported in Poland, both in humans and animals, but detailed countryscale studies have not yet been carried out. The aim of the study was molecular characterization of a strain which was found in A. flavicollis in south-eastern Poland. Materials and method. The phylogenetic analysis of the first Dobrava-Belgrade virus found in A. flavicollis in the subcarpathian region of south-eastern Poland, presented in this study, was performed after virus proliferation in cell culture and sequencing of specific PCR products. Results. Based on genetic sequences of fragments of three segments (S, M and L), the isolated virus was assigned to the Dobrava genotype, taking into consideration the most current classification of the DOBV species. Conclusions. The Dobrava-Belgrade virus strain isolated from A. flavicollis in the subcarpathian region of south-eastern Poland, has been molecularly characterized and assigned to Dobrava genotype, thereby the occurrence of that genotype in Poland has been confirmed by molecular techniques.