Molecular detection of viral agents in free-ranging and captive neotropical felids in Brazil

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2017 Sep;29(5):660-668. doi: 10.1177/1040638717720245. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Abstract

We describe molecular testing for felid alphaherpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), alphacoronavirus 1 (feline coronavirus [FCoV]), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) in whole blood samples of 109 free-ranging and 68 captive neotropical felids from Brazil. Samples from 2 jaguars ( Panthera onca) and 1 oncilla ( Leopardus tigrinus) were positive for FHV-1; 2 jaguars, 1 puma ( Puma concolor), and 1 jaguarundi ( Herpairulus yagouaroundi) tested positive for CPPV-1; and 1 puma was positive for FIV. Based on comparison of 103 nucleotides of the UL24-UL25 gene, the FHV-1 sequences were 99-100% similar to the FHV-1 strain of domestic cats. Nucleotide sequences of CPPV-1 were closely related to sequences detected in other wild carnivores, comparing 294 nucleotides of the VP1 gene. The FIV nucleotide sequence detected in the free-ranging puma, based on comparison of 444 nucleotides of the pol gene, grouped with other lentiviruses described in pumas, and had 82.4% identity with a free-ranging puma from Yellowstone Park and 79.5% with a captive puma from Brazil. Our data document the circulation of FHV-1, CPPV-1, and FIV in neotropical felids in Brazil.

Keywords: Carnivore protoparvovirus 1; Herpairulus yagouaroundi; Leopardus tigrinus; Panthera onca; Puma concolor.; felid alphaherpesvirus 1; feline immunodeficiency virus.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Brazil
  • Calicivirus, Feline / genetics
  • Calicivirus, Feline / isolation & purification
  • Coronavirus, Feline / genetics
  • Coronavirus, Feline / isolation & purification
  • Distemper Virus, Canine / genetics
  • Distemper Virus, Canine / isolation & purification
  • Felidae / blood
  • Felidae / virology*
  • Herpesviridae / genetics
  • Herpesviridae / isolation & purification
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / genetics
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / isolation & purification
  • Leukemia Virus, Feline / genetics
  • Leukemia Virus, Feline / isolation & purification
  • Parvovirinae / genetics
  • Parvovirinae / isolation & purification
  • Serologic Tests / veterinary
  • Varicellovirus / genetics
  • Varicellovirus / isolation & purification
  • Virus Diseases / diagnosis
  • Virus Diseases / veterinary*
  • Virus Diseases / virology