Feline Coronavirus in Northern Vietnam: Genetic Detection and Characterization Reveal Predominance of Type I Viruses
by
, ,
Hieu Van Dong
1,2
,
Witsanu Rapichai
3
,
Amonpun Rattanasrisomporn
4 and
Jatuporn Rattanasrisomporn
1,3,*
1
Center for Advanced Studies for Agriculture and Food, Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
2
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy Town, Gia Lam District, Hanoi 131000, Vietnam
3
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
4
Interdisciplinary of Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Viruses 2025, 17(2), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17020188
Submission received: 4 January 2025
/
Revised: 26 January 2025
/
Accepted: 26 January 2025
/
Published: 28 January 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Diseases of Domestic Animals)
Simple Summary
The objectives of this study were to investigate feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection in domestic cats raised in northern Vietnam and to conduct genetic characterization of the FCoV strains circulating across Vietnam. A total of 166 samples were collected from sick and healthy cats in four cities and provinces in northern Vietnam. The FCoV genome was examined using PCR. Sequencing of the partial spike gene was performed. In total, 19 (11.45%) out of 166 samples were positive for the FCoV genome. The genetic analysis of the partial spike gene region indicated that the nucleotide identity of the nine FCoV strains obtained in this study ranged from 85.5% to 99.16% and belonged to type I. No mutations of nucleotides were found at sites 23,531 and 23,537 in the S gene sequences. The furin cleavage site of the nine Vietnamese FCoV strains had the R/G-R-S/A-R-R-S motif.
Abstract
This study was conducted to identify the molecular and biological characteristics of the collected feline coronavirus (FCoV) strains in northern Vietnam. A total of 166 fecal samples were collected from domestic cats in Hanoi, Bacgiang, Hungyen, and Hanam in northern Vietnam. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the FCoV genome in the field samples. Results indicated that 19 (11.45%) out of 166 fecal samples were positive for the FCoV genome using PCR. Insignificant differences in positive rates were detected according to breed, age, sex, and health status of the cats. By using nested PCR, all 19 FCoV strains obtained belonged to type I. Analysis of the partial S gene sequences indicated that the nine Vietnamese FCoV strains in this study shared high nucleotide identity, ranging from 88.5% to 99.16%. Phylogenetic analysis supported that the Vietnamese FCoV strains obtained were type I viruses, which are divided into several clades. The nine Vietnamese FCoV strains were genetically close to viruses from the Netherlands, France, and China and differed from the vaccine strain. No mutation was detected among the nine Vietnamese FCoV strains at sites 23,531 and 23,537 in the S gene sequences. The S1/S2 cleavage site on the S protein of FCoV of the nine viral strains indicated an R/G-R-S/A-R-R-S motif, which was typical for feline enteric coronavirus strains. The sequences found were consistent with FECV/low-path viruses, and that it was healthy cats (not FIP cats) that were sampled.
Keywords:
cat; feline coronavirus; genetic detection; PCR; Vietnam
