Domestic Cat Hepadnavirus and Pathogenic Retroviruses; A Sero-Molecular Survey of Cats in Santiago, Chile.
Viruses
; 16(1)2023 12 27.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38257747
ABSTRACT
Cat ownership is common in Chile, but data on the regional prevalence of infectious agents are limited. A sero-molecular survey of 120 client- or shelter-owned domestic cats in greater Santiago was performed. Whole blood DNA was tested for the novel hepatitis-B-like virus, domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) by conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), and for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) by qPCR. Point-of-care serology for FeLV p27 antigen and antibodies recognising feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) p15 and p24 was performed. DCH DNA was detected in the serum of 2/120 cats (1.67%). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the DCH detected in Chile occupies a position outside the main clustering of DCH in the near-complete genome tree. Progressive (antigen-positive, provirus-positive) and regressive (antigen-negative, provirus-positive) FeLV infections were identified in 6/120 (5%) and 9/120 (7.5%) of cats. A total of 2/120 (1.7%) cats had dual FeLV/FIV infection, and another 2 cats had FIV infection alone. This study shows that the global footprint of DCH includes South America with a low molecular frequency in Chile, similar to that reported in the USA. Progressive FeLV infection is relatively common in urban Chile, and male cats are at greater risk than females. Testing and control measures for pathogenic retroviruses are indicated. The potential impact of FeLV, FIV and DCH on Chile's wildcat species is worthy of further investigation.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Hepadnaviridae
/
Leucemia Felina
/
Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Felina
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Chile
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Viruses
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Hong Kong