Identification and genomic characterization of feline calicivirus from a leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Taiwan

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 86; no. 6; pp. 660 - 664
• Main Authors: CHEN, Li-Hsuan, CHEN, Yen-Wen, LEE, Fan, HSU, Wei-Li, OU, Shan-Chia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2024; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Animals; Caliciviridae Infections - veterinary; Caliciviridae Infections - virology; Calicivirus, Feline - genetics; Calicivirus, Feline - isolation & purification; Endangered species; Felidae - virology; feline calicivirus; Genome, Viral; Genomic analysis; leopard cat; Pathogenicity; phylogenetic analysis; Phylogeny; Prionailurus bengalensis; Recombination; Taiwan; VP1 protein; Wildlife Science; Taiwan; phylogenetic analysis; feline calicivirus; recombination; leopard cat
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0522

The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is an endangered wildlife that is protected under Taiwan’s regulations. The body of a road-killed leopard cat was found to contain sequences of feline calicivirus (FCV), designated W109-1443. Analysis of the complete genomic sequence revealed that it shared approximately 81% similarity with a Chinese strain of FCV found in a domestic cat. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 gene indicated that the W109-1443 isolate belonged to genogroup II. Recombination analysis revealed that the W109-1443 isolate may have resulted from recombination between two FCV strains. Given the potential impact of FCV on the health and survival of wild felids, further investigation is necessary to assess its pathogenicity in the leopard cat population.