Genetic diversity of feline morbilliviruses isolated in Japan

Abstract

Feline morbillivirus (FmoPV) is an emerging virus in domestic cats and considered to be associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis. Although FmoPV was first described in China in 2012, there has been no report of the isolation of this virus in other countries. In this report, we describe the isolation and characterization of FmoPV from domestic cats in Japan. By using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, we found that three of 13 urine samples from cats brought to veterinary hospitals were positive for FmoPV. FmoPV strains SS1 to SS3 were isolated from the RT-PCR-positive urine samples. Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells exposed to FmoPV showed cytopathic effects with syncytia formation, and FmoPV N protein was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assays. In addition, pleomorphic virus particles with apparent glycoprotein envelope spikes were observed by electron microscopy. By sequence analysis of FmoPV H and L genes, we found that FmoPVs showed genetic diversity; however, signatures of positive selection were not identified.