Feline coronavirus: occurrence, viral load and genetic diversity in cats from catteries from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Grant number: 10/07492-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2010
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Eduardo Brandão
• Grantee: Paulo Eduardo Brandão
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mutations in feline enteric coronavirus (FECoV) give rise to feline peritonitis virus (FIPV). Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a systemic, immunomediated and fatal disease which affects domestic and wilds felids. The differentiation between FIPV and FECoV is a critical diagnostic aspect in infections by feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) and phylogenetic studies are essential as a basis to develop more accurate diagnostic methods and vaccines of higher efficacy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the occurrence of the FCoVs in cats with or without signs of enteritis or FIP, in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, using a real time RT-PCR that detects mRNA from M gene of the coronaviruses in a longitudinal study of the association between FCoV viral load, the emergence of the FIPV biotype and the clinical progress in the ill cats. The presence of molecular markers in genes M, S, 3 and 7 that distinguish between FIPV and FECoV will be evaluated in a total of 100 animals. Whole blood, feces, effusion fluids and mesenteric lymph nodes in necropsy examinations will be collected and submitted to M mRNA quantitative PCR for the determination of the viral load. Animals in which an increase in viral load is detected will have their samples submitted nucleotide sequencing of genes M, S, 3 and 7a and the sequences will be compared with homologous sequences from genetic data banks. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

HORA, A. S.; TONIETTI, P. O.; TANIWAKI, S. A.; ASANO, K. M.; MAIORKA, P.; RICHTZENHAIN, L. J.; BRANDAO, P. E.. Feline Coronavirus 3c Protein: A Candidate for a Virulence Marker?. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, v. 2016, p. 9-pg., 2016-01-01. (10/07492-8, 09/17535-9)

HORA, ALINE S.; ASANO, KAREN M.; GUERRA, JULIANA M.; MESQUITA, RAMON G.; MAIORKA, PAULO; RICHTZENHAIN, LEONARDO J.; BRANDAO, PAULO E.. Intrahost Diversity of Feline Coronavirus: A Consensus between the Circulating Virulent/Avirulent Strains and the Internal Mutation Hypotheses?. SCIENTIFIC WORLD JOURNAL, v. N/A, p. 8-pg., 2013-01-01. (10/07492-8, 09/17535-9)

HORA, A. S.; TONIETTI, P. O.; TANIWAKI, S. A.; ASANO, K. M.; MAIORKA, P.; RICHTZENHAIN, L. J.; BRANDAO, P. E.. Feline Coronavirus 3c Protein: A Candidate for a Virulence Marker?. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, 2016. (10/07492-8, 09/17535-9)

HORA, ALINE S.; ASANO, KAREN M.; GUERRA, JULIANA M.; MESQUITA, RAMON G.; MAIORKA, PAULO; RICHTZENHAIN, LEONARDO J.; BRANDAO, PAULO E.. Intrahost Diversity of Feline Coronavirus: A Consensus between the Circulating Virulent/Avirulent Strains and the Internal Mutation Hypotheses?. SCIENTIFIC WORLD JOURNAL, 2013. (10/07492-8, 09/17535-9)