Extended phylogenetic analysis of a new Israeli isolate of Brevicoryne brassicae virus (BrBV-IL) suggests taxonomic revision of the genus Iflavirus

Background: Brevicoryne brassicae virus (BrBV) is a positive-strand genomic RNA virus which is unassigned tentative member of the genus Iflavirus. BrBv was first identified and characterized in the late 90's in the cabbage aphid in the United Kingdom (UK) (J Gen Virol 88: 2590-2595, 2007) and was fully sequenced, using random amplification of encapsidated RNA. No other reports have been published demonstrating detection of this virus outside the UK. Findings: A new isolate of the cabbage aphid virus Brevicoryne brassicae virus was identified from Brevicoryne brassicae aphids growing on wild mustard plants (Sinapis arvensis) in northern Israel. The virus genome was partially assembled from purified siRNA using the Illumina MiSeq Sequencing System with limited success. Combining classical viral RNA purification and RT-PCR amplification followed by traditional Sanger sequencing enabled obtaining the complete genomic sequence. The Israeli strain of BrBV shared 95 % nucleotide sequence identity with the BrBV found in the United Kingdom. Conclusions: The detection of BrBV in Israel indicates a broader geographical distribution of the virus.