Molecular Characterization of Gyrovirus galga 1 in Domestic Dogs in the North of Vietnam Indicates the Presence of Recombination Events

A total of 168 fecal samples were obtained from both diarrheic dogs exhibiting clinical symptoms and clinically healthy individuals across four provinces/cities in Northern Vietnam. Based on a polymerase chain reaction method, the Gyrovirus gala 1 (GyVg1) genome was found in 18 (10.71%) of 168 samples. Six representative GyVg1 genomes identified in Vietnam were each 2375 nucleotides long. They shared nucleotide identities of 94.98-98.62%. Whole genome phylogenetic analysis showed that the six obtained GyVg1 strains were grouped into two distinct lineages: GyVg1 I (2/6 strains) and GyVg1 II (4/6 strains). Vietnamese GyVg1 strains were genetically related to Chinese strains. Multiple residue replacements were identified in VP (VP1-VP3) proteins of the Vietnamese GyVg1 strains. A recombination event led to the emergence of the GyVg1/Dog/VNUA-06 recombinant strain. Overall, these observations indicate the presence of GyVg1 viruses in domestic dogs in the North of Vietnam.