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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Putative progressive and abortive feline leukemia virus infection outcomes in captive jaguarundis (Puma yagouaroundi)

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Author(s):
Filoni, Claudia [1] ; Katrin Helfer-Hungerbuehler, A. [2, 3] ; Catao-Dias, Jose Luiz [4] ; Marques, Mara Cristina [5] ; Torres, Luciana Neves [6] ; Reinacher, Manfred [7] ; Hofmann-Lehmann, Regina [2, 3]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, Inst Biosci, Campus Botucatu, BR-18618689 Botucatu, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Zurich, Clin Lab, Vetsuisse Fac, Winterthurerstr 260, CH-8057 Zurich - Switzerland
[3] Univ Zurich, Ctr Clin Studies, Winterthurerstr 260, CH-8057 Zurich - Switzerland
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pathol, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Av Prof Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, BR-05508270 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[5] FPZSP, Av Miguel Stefano 4241, BR-04301905 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Vet Hosp HOVET, Av Prof Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, BR-05508270 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[7] Univ Giessen, Inst Vet Pathol, Frankfurter Str 96, D-35392 Giessen - Germany
Total Affiliations: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: VIROLOGY JOURNAL; v. 14, NOV 17 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Background: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an exogenous gammaretrovirus of domestic cats (Felis catus) and some wild felids. The outcomes of FeLV infection in domestic cats vary according to host susceptibility, virus strain, and infectious challenge dose. Jaguarundis (Puma yagouaroundi) are small wild felids from South and Central America. We previously reported on FeLV infections in jaguarundis. We hypothesized here that the outcomes of FeLV infection in P. yagouaroundi mimic those observed in domestic cats. The aim of this study was to investigate the population of jaguarundis at Fundacao Parque Zoologico de Sao Paulo for natural FeLV infection and resulting outcomes. Methods: We investigated the jaguarundis using serological and molecular methods and monitored them for FeLV-related diseases for 5 years. We retrieved relevant biological and clinical information for the entire population of 23 jaguarundis held at zoo. Post-mortem findings from necropsies were recorded and histopathological and immunohistopathological analyses were performed. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed for FeLV-positive samples. For sample prevalence, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Fisher's exact test was used to compare frequencies between infected and uninfected animals. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: In total, we detected evidence of FeLV exposure in four out of 23 animals (17%; 95% CI 5-39%). No endogenous FeLV (enFeLV) sequences were detected. An intestinal B-cell lymphoma in one jaguarundi was not associated with FeLV. Two jaguarundis presented FeLV test results consistent with an abortive FeLV infection with seroconversion, and two other jaguarundis had results consistent with a progressive infection and potentially FeLV-associated clinical disorders and post-mortem changes. Phylogenetic analysis of env revealed the presence of FeLV-A, a common origin of the virus in both animals (100% identity) and the closest similarity to FeLV-FAIDS and FeLV-3281 (98.4% identity), originally isolated from cats in the USA. Conclusions: We found evidence of progressive and abortive FeLV infection outcomes in jaguarundis, and domestic cats were probably the source of infection in these jaguarundis. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/12253-0 - Characterization of exosomes in plasma and saliva of domestic cats (Felis catus) and evaluation of their innate immune defense role against infection with Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
Grantee:Claudia Filoni
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral