Characterization of parvoviruses from domestic cats in Brazil

Abstract

To characterize Feline parvovirus (FPV) circulating in domestic cats in Brazil, 51 fecal samples from unvaccinated domestic cats were collected during 2004–2005. Six parvoviruses were characterized by hemagglutination (HA) assay at different pH values and temperatures and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using different pairs of primers. However, data obtained from HA and PCR did not allow the discrimination between FPV and Canine parvovirus (CPV). Two regions of the VP2 capsid gene (1,171-bp fragment) involved in controlling canine and feline host range were sequenced; 9 synonymous and 10 non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions were detected. All samples were confirmed as FPV by nucleotide sequencing, but 3 feline samples had amino acid changes at residues 93, 375, and 426, which are present in canine strains. The phylogenetic tree built based on nucleotide sequences showed that Brazilian feline samples form a cluster distinct from other parvoviruses deposited in GenBank. Taken together, the findings reinforce the importance of monitoring the continuous evolution of CPV and FPV in the feline population in Brazil.