First Molecular Detection of Saffold Virus in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis in Iran

Background: Saffold virus as a new member of cardiovirus genus in picornaviridae family has been suggested to be related to diarrheic cases and human airway diseases. However, relationship between Saffold virus and human diseases is unclear. In order to establish an investigation for the occurrence of Saffold virus among pediatric patients involved to acute gastroenteritis, we implemented a RT-PCR assay for detection and quantification of Saffold virus in stool specimens. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 160 stool samples from September 2018 to May 2019 were collected from presenting pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis in a Karaj hospital, Iran. After viral RNA extraction, the RT-PCR was performed to amplify the 5’UTR region of Saffold virus genome. Results: Out of the 160 samples tested, the Saffold virus genomic RNA was detected in 26/160 (16.2%) of stool samples. The high Saffold virus detection rate was related to February (6/26 or 23%). The co-infection of Saffold virus with Aichivirus and Salivirus as other new emerging viruses was also assessed, among which high double or triple mixed-infections were determined. Conclusion: This is the first documentation of Saffold virus detection in stool samples that demonstrates Saffold virus has been circulating among Iranian pediatric patients. Our results indicated that Saffold virus in association with Aichivirus and Salivirus may be possibly considered as causative agent of acute gastroenteritis.