Complete genome sequence analysis of goatpox virus isolated from China shows high variation

- We report the first complete genome sequence of a Chinese goatpox virus field strain GTPV_FZ.
- Drawing genetic map of goatpox virus.
- GTPV_FZ shows high variation comparison, especially in the terminal regions.
- Three genes resolving in host, virulence and virus replication (GTPV007,072,129.5) show high sequence diversities.
- GTPVs were more closely related to LSDVs than to SPPVs basing on complete genomes.

Goatpox virus (GTPV), a member of the Capripoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, is the causative agent of variolo caprina (goatpox). GTPV can cause significant economic losses of domestic ruminants in endemic regions and can threaten breeding stocks. In this study, we report on the compilation of the complete genomic sequence of an isolated GTPV field strain FZ (GTPV_FZ). The 150,194 bp GTPV genome consists of a central coding region bounded by two identical 2301 bp inverted terminal repeats and contains 151 putative genes. Comparative genomic analysis reveals the apparent genetic relationships among Capripoxviruses are close, but sufficient genomic variants in the field isolate strain FZ have been identified to distinguish it from other GTPV strains and other Capripoxvirus species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the p32 and complete GTPV genome can be used to differentiate SPPVs, GTPVs and LSDVs. These data may contribute to the epidemiological study of the Chinese capripoxvirus and help to develop more specific detection methods to distinguish GTPVs, SPPVs and LSDVs.