Serological investigation and transcriptome analysis in domestic cats (Felis catus) naturally infected with feline Coronavirus (FCoV)

• Grant number: 14/02994-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2014
• End date: January 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: João Pessoa Araújo Junior
• Grantee: Ariani Cristina da Silva Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The feline coronavirus (FCoV), as it infects domestic cats (Felis catus), displays a bimodal pathogenicity, producing since subclinical enteric infections until feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is deadly to cats that develop it. The PIF is a chronic fatal disease, considered one of the most important infectious diseases of cats. The diagnosis is challenging to be establish with the animal in life. Serological techniques do not provide a conclusive diagnosis but are useful tools in monitoring antibody levels of cats that live in environments with more than one cat, the separation of seropositive animals is possible for the observation of these animals to the appearance of clinical signs being suggestive to disease. The pathogenesis of FIP to the present day is the target of research because many issues related to it have not yet been answered. Transcriptome analysis techniques have been used to facilitate the understanding of the expression profiles of cellular responses during infection by many pathogens, may be useful to explain the pathogenesis of many viruses. This study aims to validate and implement an indirect enzyme immunoassay for performing a serological survey in domestic cats through ELISA that has been standardized in the laboratory. Besides, it also aims to conduct a study of the transcriptome in selected animals that will be divided into groups to better understand the expression of certain genes in animals naturally infected with FCoV, and may elucidate some issues of pathogenesis. 150 animals will be selected to undergo the serodiagnosis, with the inclusion criteria for this sample cohabitation with other cats (cats over three per room). For the study of transcriptome, nine animals, equally distributed in three groups can be selected: a) seropositive animals and with clinical signs; b) seropositive without clinical signs; and c) seronegative animals and without clinical signs (control animals). (AU)

Scientific publications

(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)

ALMEIDA, ARIANI C. S.; GALDINO, V, MAICON; ARAUJO JR, JOAO P.. Estudo soroepidemiológico da infecção pelo coronavírus felino (FCOV) em gatos domiciliados de Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 39, n. 2, p. 129-133, FEB 2019. (14/02994-6)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ALMEIDA, Ariani Cristina da Silva. Development of the indirect ELISA with recombinant protein and seroepidemiological study for feline coronavirus (FCoV). 2017. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Botucatu Botucatu.