Molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses along the coast of mainland Portugal.
Dis Aquat Organ
; 158: 55-64, 2024 Apr 25.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38661137
ABSTRACT
Cetacean poxvirus (CePV) is the causative agent of tattoo skin disease (TSD) in dolphins, porpoises and whales, a condition characterized by pinhole, ring-like lesions or generalized tattoo-like skin lesions. This study genetically characterized cetacean poxviruses from stranded animals along mainland Portugal. Samples from skin lesions compatible with TSD were obtained from 4 odontocete species (Delphinus delphis, Stenella coeruleoalba, Phocoena phocoena, and Tursiops truncatus) and analyzed using a conventional PCR assay targeting the DNA polymerase gene partially. Among the positive samples (n = 29, 65.9%), a larger DNA polymerase gene fragment was obtained, allowing a robust phylogenetic analysis. Nineteen samples (43.2%) were successfully amplified and sequenced using Sanger sequencing. By combining 11 of these sequences with those from public databases, a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed, revealing high heterogeneity within the group. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity, epidemiology, phylogenetics, and evolution of CePV.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Phylogeny
/
Poxviridae
/
Cetacea
/
Poxviridae Infections
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Dis Aquat Organ
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
/
MICROBIOLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Portugal
Country of publication:
Germany