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 infections from the city of Macapá (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 (~ 223×) 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.
Keywords: Amazon; High-risk blood donors; MCPyV; Merkel cell polyomavirus; Phylogeography; Viral metagenomics.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.