Genetic diversity, molecular evolution and classification of the viruses in the genus Amdoparvovirus circulating in free-ranging mink in Nova Scotia and detection of novel species

Abstract

Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) causes Aleutian disease (AD), which results in economic losses to the mink industry globally. Free-ranging mink are reservoirs of AMDV and can transmit the virus to mink farms. To identify the source of infection, entire coding and partial 3′ terminal regions of 25 AMDV isolates in free-ranging mink in Nova Scotia were sequenced. Four groups of Amdoparvoviruses in free-ranging mink were identified, of which three were novel species. It was shown that the N-terminus of the NS1 protein plays a significant role in speciation of Amdoparvoviruses. Multiple infection of mink with closely related viral isolates was observed and frequent recombination events were detected throughout the viral genomes. Guidelines for Amdoparvovirus classification were provided and a phylogenetic marker was developed, which provides great opportunities for farmers to accurately identify the source of infection on their farms with low cost.