Introduction: Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are widespread and antibodies are found in 80-90% of cats in catteries. However, only 5-10% of the seropositive cats develop feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a progressive and lethal infection caused by virulent FCoV mutants. FCoVs occur in two serotypes with different serological and biological properties. The main differences are found in the S protein, sharing only 45% of the sequence between the serotypes.The primary infection of young kittens leads to mild enteritis and to an asymptomatic long persistence of the FCoV. Infected cats represent FCoV reservoirs and potentially FIP inducers. In this study the frequency and the distribution of FCoV-serotypes in naturally infected cats and the analysis of the S gene sequences of the isolates, were investigated. Materials and methods: One hundred-twenty samples collected from clinically healthy cats living in two different cattery, were analysed. Thirty-seven positive samples were identified by RT-PCR which amplified a fragment of CCoV- and FCoV-M gene. These samples were submitted to further analysis employing selected primers which are able to differentiate FCoV types I and II through the amplification of the 3' end of the viral S gene. A nested PCR was carried out to increase sensitivity. Results: Thirty samples, out of 37 positive, were characterised as FCoV type I and three as FCoV type II. Interestingly, both FCoV genotypes were simultaneously detected in 4 fecal samples. Partial nucleotide sequences of the S-protein gene of all positive samples and a detailed molecular characterization on the 4 samples showing double infections, were performed. Conclusions: Nucleotide identities of type I FCoV samples (3937- 4271 bp) ranged from 84 to 100%, whereas nucleotide identities of FCoV type II samples (4042-4251 bp) resulted from 91 to 100 %. Phylogenetic analysis will be presented to show the relationships between the field isolates and FCoVs type I and II reference strains.

Sequence analysis of the S gene of feline coronavirus type I and II isolates.

PRATELLI, Annamaria
2004-01-01

Abstract

Introduction: Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are widespread and antibodies are found in 80-90% of cats in catteries. However, only 5-10% of the seropositive cats develop feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a progressive and lethal infection caused by virulent FCoV mutants. FCoVs occur in two serotypes with different serological and biological properties. The main differences are found in the S protein, sharing only 45% of the sequence between the serotypes.The primary infection of young kittens leads to mild enteritis and to an asymptomatic long persistence of the FCoV. Infected cats represent FCoV reservoirs and potentially FIP inducers. In this study the frequency and the distribution of FCoV-serotypes in naturally infected cats and the analysis of the S gene sequences of the isolates, were investigated. Materials and methods: One hundred-twenty samples collected from clinically healthy cats living in two different cattery, were analysed. Thirty-seven positive samples were identified by RT-PCR which amplified a fragment of CCoV- and FCoV-M gene. These samples were submitted to further analysis employing selected primers which are able to differentiate FCoV types I and II through the amplification of the 3' end of the viral S gene. A nested PCR was carried out to increase sensitivity. Results: Thirty samples, out of 37 positive, were characterised as FCoV type I and three as FCoV type II. Interestingly, both FCoV genotypes were simultaneously detected in 4 fecal samples. Partial nucleotide sequences of the S-protein gene of all positive samples and a detailed molecular characterization on the 4 samples showing double infections, were performed. Conclusions: Nucleotide identities of type I FCoV samples (3937- 4271 bp) ranged from 84 to 100%, whereas nucleotide identities of FCoV type II samples (4042-4251 bp) resulted from 91 to 100 %. Phylogenetic analysis will be presented to show the relationships between the field isolates and FCoVs type I and II reference strains.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11586/57581
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