| Title: | Molecular survey of selected viral pathogens in wild leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Taiwan with an emphasis on the spatial and temporal dynamics of carnivore protoparvovirus 1 |
| Author(s): | Chen CC; Chang AM; Chen WJ; Chang PJ; Lai YC; Lee HH; |
| Address: | "Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan. ychih0502@gmail.com. Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan. ychih0502@gmail.com. Graduate Institute of Animal Vaccine Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan. Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan. Formosan Wild Sound Conservation Science Center, Miaoli, Taiwan. Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, Huafan University, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan" |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00705-020-04904-z |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1432-8798 (Electronic) 0304-8608 (Print) 0304-8608 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) was listed as an endangered species under the Wildlife Conservation Act in Taiwan in 2009. However, no study has evaluated the possible direct or indirect effects of pathogens on the Taiwanese leopard cat population. Here, we targeted viral pathogens, including carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (genus Protoparvovirus), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), coronaviruses (CoVs), and canine distemper virus (CDV), through molecular screening. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the target pathogens were evaluated. Through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we clarified the phylogenetic relationship of viral pathogens isolated from leopard cats and domestic carnivores. Samples from 23 live-trapped leopard cats and 29 that were found dead were collected from 2015 to 2019 in Miaoli County in northwestern Taiwan. Protoparvoviruses and CoVs were detected in leopard cats, and their prevalence (95% confidence interval) was 63.5% (50.4%-76.6%) and 8.8% (0%-18.4%), respectively. Most of the protoparvovirus sequences amplified from Taiwanese leopard cats and domestic carnivores were identical. All of the CoV sequences amplified from leopard cats were identified as feline CoV. No spatial or temporal aggregation of protoparvovirus infection in leopard cats was found in the sampling area, indicating a wide distribution of protoparvoviruses in the leopard cat habitat. We consider sympatric domestic carnivores to be the probable primary reservoir for the identified pathogens. We strongly recommend management of protoparvoviruses and feline CoV in the leopard cat habitat, particularly vaccination programs and population control measures for free-roaming dogs and cats" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Cat Diseases/*epidemiology/virology Cats Coronavirus Infections/*epidemiology/*veterinary Coronavirus, Feline/genetics/isolation & purification Distemper Virus, Canine/genetics/isolation & purification Dog Diseases/epidemiology/virology Dogs Femal;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineChen, Chen-Chih Chang, Ai-Mei Chen, Wan-Jhen Chang, Po-Jen Lai, Yu-Ching Lee, Hsu-Hsun eng 108-2313-B-020-001/Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ Austria 2021/01/04 Arch Virol. 2021 Feb; 166(2):427-438. doi: 10.1007/s00705-020-04904-z. Epub 2021 Jan 3" |
