Molecular Detection and Characterization of Feline Parvovirus in Cats in Iran

Introduction: The feline parvovirus virus (FPV), a member of the family Parvoviridae, is a major pathogen in cats and is associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. Infection in cats can cause severe leukopenia and gastroenteritis, and may also lead to neurological signs. Materials & Methods: In the present study, from September ۲۰۲۲ to September ۲۰۲۳, ۳۱ blood and fecal samples were collected from cats with clinical symptoms of feline panleukopenia from four different veterinary clinics/hospitals in Gilan, Mazandaran, and Tehran provinces. Reports of rapid antigen detection test kits were also collected for cases (if performed) from clinics and hospitals. The presence of FPV was assessed by molecular assay using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. PCR was performed using specific primers to amplify a partial VP۲ gene encoding the viral protein, and the positive samples were subsequently submitted for sequencing. According to the phylogenetic tree generated by MEGA ۷ software using the Maximum Likelihood method, samples in this study were clustered with previously submitted FPV isolates, and based on homology analysis. Results: The current samples are similar to previously reported Iranian isolate IRFPV۲۰۱۴.۲, which has been obtained from a domestic cat in Tehran in ۲۰۱۴. Homology results also showed high similarity of the current isolates with isolate CU۴, which was used as a reference, isolate C۱۴, isolated in Nigeria from a domestic cat, and isolate “FPV/Raccoon/ NJ/RPV-۶/۹۰”, isolated from Procyon lotor (Racoon) in the United States. According to the rapid test kit results, ۷۸.۵۷% of indoor cats and ۴۲.۸۶% of outdoor cats were positive for FPV infection. PCR results also revealed that ۶۱.۱۱% of indoor cats and ۳۰.۷۷% of outdoor cats were infected with FPV. Conclusion: More molecular and epidemiologic studies are recommended to clarify the actual prevalence of FPV in Iran and the infection status among indoor cats and the stray cat population.

کلیدواژه ها:

Feline ، Feline parvovirus virus (FPV) ، Iran ، Molecular diagnosis ، phylogeny