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Xu JL, Chen JT, Hu B, Guo WW, Guo JJ, Xiong CR, Qin LX, Yu XN, Chen XM, Cai K, Li YR, Liu MQ, Chen LJ, Hou W. Discovery and genetic characterization of novel paramyxoviruses from small mammals in Hubei Province, Central China. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001229. [PMID: 38700925 PMCID: PMC11145887 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Paramyxoviruses are a group of single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses, some of which are responsible for acute human disease, including parainfluenza virus, measles virus, Nipah virus and Hendra virus. In recent years, a large number of novel paramyxoviruses, particularly members of the genus Jeilongvirus, have been discovered in wild mammals, suggesting that the diversity of paramyxoviruses may be underestimated. Here we used hemi-nested reverse transcription PCR to obtain 190 paramyxovirus sequences from 969 small mammals in Hubei Province, Central China. These newly identified paramyxoviruses were classified into four clades: genera Jeilongvirus, Morbillivirus, Henipavirus and Narmovirus, with most of them belonging to the genus Jeilongvirus. Using Illumina sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we successfully recovered six near-full-length genomes with different genomic organizations, revealing the more complex genome content of paramyxoviruses. Co-divergence analysis of jeilongviruses and their known hosts indicates that host-switching occurred more frequently in the evolutionary histories of the genus Jeilongvirus. Together, our findings demonstrate the high prevalence of paramyxoviruses in small mammals, especially jeilongviruses, and highlight the diversity of paramyxoviruses and their genome content, as well as the evolution of jeilongviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-le Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Jin-tao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Bing Hu
- Institute of Health Inspection and Testing, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 6 Zhuodaoquan Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430079, PR China
| | - Wei-wei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Jing-jing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Chao-rui Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Ling-xin Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Xin-nai Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Xiao-min Chen
- Division of Virology, Wuhan Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 288 Machang Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430015, PR China
| | - Kun Cai
- Institute of Health Inspection and Testing, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 6 Zhuodaoquan Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430079, PR China
| | - Yi-rong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Man-qing Liu
- Division of Virology, Wuhan Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 288 Machang Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430015, PR China
| | - Liang-jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
| | - Wei Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology/Department of Laboratory Medicine/Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences/Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, PR China
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Zhou L, Kang H, Xu S, Chen J, Wang X, Long H, Li G, Xu P, He B. Tailam paramyxovirus C protein inhibits viral replication. J Virol 2024; 98:e0165423. [PMID: 38169290 PMCID: PMC10804977 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01654-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Jeilongviruses are emerging single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses in the Paramyxoviridae family. Tailam paramyxovirus (TlmPV) is a Jeilongvirus that was identified in 2011. Very little is known about the mechanisms that regulate viral replication in these newly emerging viruses. Among the non-structural viral proteins of TlmPV, the C protein is predicted to be translated from an open reading frame within the phosphoprotein gene through alternative translation initiation. Though the regulatory roles of C proteins in virus replication of other paramyxoviruses have been reported before, the function of the TlmPV C protein and the relevant molecular mechanisms have not been reported. Here, we show that the C protein is expressed in TlmPV-infected cells and negatively modulates viral RNA replication. The TlmPV C protein interacts with the P protein, negatively impacting the interaction between N and P, resulting in inhibition of viral RNA replication. Deletion mutagenesis studies indicate that the 50 amino-terminal amino acid residues of the C protein are dispensable for its inhibition of virus RNA replication and interaction with the P protein.IMPORTANCETailam paramyxovirus (TlmPV) is a newly identified paramyxovirus belonging to the Jeilongvirus genus, of which little is known. In this work, we confirmed the expression of the C protein in TlmPV-infected cells, assessed its function, and defined a potential mechanism of action. This is the first time that the existence of a Jeilongvirus C protein has been confirmed and its role in viral replication has been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Haixian Kang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuya Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinbi Chen
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianyang Wang
- School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haishang Long
- School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Geng Li
- School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei Xu
- Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Biao He
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
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Pennisi MG, Belák S, Tasker S, Addie DD, Boucraut-Baralon C, Egberink H, Frymus T, Hartmann K, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lloret A, Marsilio F, Thiry E, Truyen U, Möstl K, Hosie MJ. Feline Morbillivirus: Clinical Relevance of a Widespread Endemic Viral Infection of Cats. Viruses 2023; 15:2087. [PMID: 37896864 PMCID: PMC10611265 DOI: 10.3390/v15102087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was first isolated in 2012 from stray cats in Hong Kong. It has been found in association with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), the most common cause of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, viral host spectrum and virus tropism go beyond the domestic cat and kidney tissues. The viral genetic diversity of FeMV is extensive, but it is not known if this is clinically relevant. Urine and kidney tissues have been widely tested in attempts to confirm associations between FeMV infection and renal disease, but samples from both healthy and sick cats can test positive and some cross-sectional studies have not found associations between FeMV infection and CKD. There is also evidence for acute kidney injury following infection with FeMV. The results of prevalence studies differ greatly depending on the population tested and methodologies used for detection, but worldwide distribution of FeMV has been shown. Experimental studies have confirmed previous field observations that higher viral loads are present in the urine compared to other tissues, and renal TIN lesions associated with FeMV antigen have been demonstrated, alongside virus lymphotropism and viraemia-associated lymphopenia. Longitudinal field studies have revealed persistent viral shedding in urine, although infection can be cleared spontaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sándor Belák
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK;
- Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Shirley, Solihull B90 4BN, UK
| | - Diane D. Addie
- Independent Researcher, 64000 Pyrénées Aquitaine, France;
| | | | - Herman Egberink
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Tadeusz Frymus
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGWW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Albert Lloret
- Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, B-4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Uwe Truyen
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Karin Möstl
- Institute of Virology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
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Le SJ, Xin GY, Wu WC, Shi M. Genetic Diversity and Evolution of Viruses Infecting Felis catus: A Global Perspective. Viruses 2023; 15:1338. [PMID: 37376637 DOI: 10.3390/v15061338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cats harbor many important viral pathogens, and the knowledge of their diversity has been greatly expanded thanks to increasingly popular molecular sequencing techniques. While the diversity is mostly described in numerous regionally defined studies, there lacks a global overview of the diversity for the majority of cat viruses, and therefore our understanding of the evolution and epidemiology of these viruses was generally inadequate. In this study, we analyzed 12,377 genetic sequences from 25 cat virus species and conducted comprehensive phylodynamic analyses. It revealed, for the first time, the global diversity for all cat viruses known to date, taking into account highly virulent strains and vaccine strains. From there, we further characterized and compared the geographic expansion patterns, temporal dynamics and recombination frequencies of these viruses. While respiratory pathogens such as feline calicivirus showed some degree of geographical panmixes, the other viral species are more geographically defined. Furthermore, recombination rates were much higher in feline parvovirus, feline coronavirus, feline calicivirus and feline foamy virus than the other feline virus species. Collectively, our findings deepen the understanding of the evolutionary and epidemiological features of cat viruses, which in turn provide important insight into the prevention and control of cat pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Jia Le
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Gen-Yang Xin
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Wei-Chen Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Mang Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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Zhang Y, Zhang J, Wang Y, Tian F, Zhang X, Wang G, Li S, Ding H, Hu Z, Liu W, Zhang X. Genetic Diversity and Expanded Host Range of J Paramyxovirus Detected in Wild Small Mammals in China. Viruses 2022; 15:49. [PMID: 36680089 PMCID: PMC9866557 DOI: 10.3390/v15010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
J paramyxovirus (JPV) is a rodent-borne Jeilongvirus isolated from moribund mice (Mus musculus) with hemorrhagic lung lesions trapped in the 1972 in northern Queensland, Australia. The JPV antibodies have been detected in wild mice, wild rats, pigs, and human populations in Australia. Here, by next-generation sequencing (NGS), we detected JPV from M. musculus in Shandong Province of China. Molecular detection of JPV was performed to survey to survey the infection among 66 species of wild small mammals collected from six eco-climate regions in China by applying JPV specific RT-PCR and sequencing. Altogether, 21 out of 3070 (0.68%) wild small mammals of four species were positive for JPV, including 5.26% (1/19) of Microtus fortis, 3.76% (17/452) of M. musculus, 1.67% (1/60) of Apodemus peninsulae, and 0.48% (2/421) of Apodemus agrarius, which captured three eco-climate regions of China (northeastern China, northern China, and Inner Mongolia-Xinjiang). Sequence analysis revealed the currently identified JPV was clustered with other 14 Jeilongvirus members, and shared 80.2% and 89.2% identity with Australia's JPV partial RNA polymerase (L) and glycoprotein (G) genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the separation of three lineages of the current JPV sequences. Our results show three new hosts (A. agrarius, A. peninsulae, and M. fortis) for JPV, most of which were widely distributed in China, and highlight the potential zoonotic transmission of JPV in humans. The detection of JPV in wild small mammals in China broaden the viral diversity, geographical distribution, and reservoir types of JPV. Future studies should prioritize determining the epidemiological characteristics of JPV, so that potential risks can be mitigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Jingtao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yuna Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Feng Tian
- Urumqi Customs Port Outpatient Department, Xinjiang International Travel Health Care Center, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Xiaolong Zhang
- Science and Technology Research Center of China Customs (STRC), Beijing 100026, China
| | - Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Shuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Heng Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zhenyu Hu
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiaoai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
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Donato G, Masucci M, De Luca E, Alibrandi A, De Majo M, Berjaoui S, Martino C, Mangano C, Lorusso A, Pennisi MG. Feline Morbillivirus in Southern Italy: Epidemiology, Clinico-Pathological Features and Phylogenetic Analysis in Cats. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081449. [PMID: 34452315 PMCID: PMC8402783 DOI: 10.3390/v13081449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was isolated for the first time in 2012 with an association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suggested. This study aimed at investigating in cats from southern Italy FeMV prevalence and risk factors for exposure to FeMV, including the relationship with CKD; sequencing amplicons and analyzing phylogeny of PCR positive samples. Blood serum, K3EDTA blood and urine samples from 223 cats were investigated. Ten carcasses were also evaluated. FeMV RNA was detected in 2.4% (5/211) blood and 16.1% (36/223) urine samples. One carcass tested positive by qPCRFeMV from kidney, urinary bladder, and submandibular lymph nodes. Antibodies against FeMV were detected in 14.5% (28/193) cats. We followed up 27 cats (13 FeMV positive cats) and documented in some cases urine shedding after up to 360 days. Older and foundling cats and cats living in rescue catteries, were more frequently infected with FeMV. A significant correlation between FeMV and higher serum creatinine values or low urine specific gravity was found. FeMV positivity was significantly associated with retroviral infection, and the presence of some clinical signs apart from CKD clinicopathological markers. Our study highlights the possibility of a link between FeMV exposure and CKD and a general impairment of feline health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donato
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (M.D.M.); (C.M.); (M.G.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marisa Masucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (M.D.M.); (C.M.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Eliana De Luca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), 64100 Teramo, Italy; (E.D.L.); (S.B.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Angela Alibrandi
- Department of Economy, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Massimo De Majo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (M.D.M.); (C.M.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), 64100 Teramo, Italy; (E.D.L.); (S.B.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Camillo Martino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), 64100 Teramo, Italy; (E.D.L.); (S.B.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Cyndi Mangano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (M.D.M.); (C.M.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Alessio Lorusso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), 64100 Teramo, Italy; (E.D.L.); (S.B.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (M.D.M.); (C.M.); (M.G.P.)
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Seroprevalence of Infection with Feline Morbilliviruses Is Associated with FLUTD and Increased Blood Creatinine Concentrations in Domestic Cats. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040578. [PMID: 33808115 PMCID: PMC8065871 DOI: 10.3390/v13040578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline morbilliviruses (FeMV) are fairly newly discovered paramyxoviruses found in cats. The first description indicated an association with widely distributed chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the host species. In various studies, a global prevalence and a further genotype, designated FeMV-2, and the involvement of other organ systems in infected individuals were shown. Using an immunofluorescence assay, we detected an overall seroprevalence of FeMV in almost half of the cats investigated (n = 380), with a significantly increased proportion in younger animals. In comparison to European Shorthair cats, the rate of seropositivity is higher in pedigree cats. Regardless of the breed, FeMV infection was associated with increased blood creatinine concentrations, suggesting an association with CKD. Further analysis indicated that this association was the strongest in animals having high IFA titers against FeMV-2. In addition, a significant association between FeMV-positive status and the prevalence of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD, or idiopathic cystitis) was detected. This association was dominated by cats having antibodies against FeMV-1 only. To further evaluate the positive correlation between FeMV seroprevalence and CKD as well as FLUTD, consideration of additional clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters is warranted, and controlled infection studies with both FeMV genotypes are necessary. Clinicians should, however, be aware of a possible link between renal and lower urinary tract disease and FeMV infections.
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