Bastroviruses (Astroviridae): genetic diversity and potential impact on human and animal health.

Introduction: Bastroviruses were discovered in the Netherlands in 2016 in human stool samples and show partial genetic similarities to astroviruses and hepatitis E viruses. Their association with disease onset has not yet been established.

Materials and methods: Metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples of Nyctalus noctula bats collected in the Russian Federation in 2023 was performed. Two almost complete genomes of bastroviruses were assembled. The zoonotic potential of these viruses was assessed using machine learning methods, their recombination was studied, and phylogenetic trees were constructed.

Results: A nearly complete bastrovirus genome was de novo assembled in one of the samples, and it was used to assemble another genome in another sample. The zoonotic potential of the virus from one of these samples was estimated as high. The existence of recombination between structural and non-structural polyproteins was demonstrated.

Conclusion: Two bastrovirus genomes were assembled, phylogenetic and recombination analyses were performed, and the zoonotic potential was evaluated.