Infection strategies of retroviruses and social grouping of domestic cats

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 1994-2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Fromont ◽  
Franck Courchamp ◽  
Dominique Pontier ◽  
Marc Artois
Keyword(s):  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Transmission Modes ◽  
Social Grouping ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
The Impact

It is thought that parasites may exert selective pressure on the social structure of host populations. We compared the impact of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), two retroviruses commonly found in domestic cats (Felis catus). Because of low transmissibility and virulence, both infections have a worldwide distribution and low prevalence. Transmission modes differ: FIV is transmitted only through biting, while FeLV transmission occurs by biting, licking, grooming, and sharing food and from mother to fetus. FeLV is also more pathogenic than FIV. We compared FIV and FeLV prevalence and risk factors within five populations of cats. FIV infection occurred almost exclusively among adult male cats fighting to acquire and maintain dominant status. Classes at risk for FeLV infection included sexually intact cats allowed to roam freely. The impact of FeLV on host population growth was greater than that of FIV but varied among populations. Our results show that FIV is favoured by individual aggressiveness and a hierarchical social system, while FeLV is more prevalent among socially active cats. FeLV may constitute a source of selective pressure against numerous amicable contacts, particularly in urban cat populations, where aggression among individuals is reduced.

scholarly journals Ancestral Mutations Acquired in Refrex-1, a Restriction Factor against Feline Retroviruses, during its Cooption and Domestication

2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 1470-1485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jumpei Ito ◽  
Takuya Baba ◽  
Junna Kawasaki ◽  
Kazuo Nishigaki
Keyword(s):  
Field Model ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Chimeric Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Triangular Relationships ◽  
Retroviral Infections

ABSTRACTEndogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are remnants of ancestral retroviral infections of germ cells. Retroviral endogenization is an adaptation process for the host genome, and ERVs are gradually attenuated or inactivated by mutation. However, some ERVs that have been “domesticated” by their hosts eventually gain physiological functions, such as placentation or viral resistance. We previously reported the discovery of Refrex-1, a soluble antiretroviral factor in domestic cats that specifically inhibits infection by feline leukemia virus subgroup D (FeLV-D), a chimeric virus of FeLV, and a feline ERV, ERV-DC. Refrex-1 is a truncated envelope protein (Env) encoded by both ERV-DC7 and ERV-DC16 proviral loci. Here, we reconstituted ancestral and functional Env from ERV-DC7 and ERV-DC16 envelope genes (env) by inducing reverse mutations. Unexpectedly, ERV-DC7 and ERV-DC16 full-length Env (ERV-DC7 fl and ERV-DC16 fl), reconstructed by removing stop codons, did not produce infectious viral particles. ERV-DC7 fl and ERV-DC16 fl were highly expressed in cells but were not cleaved into surface subunits (SU) and transmembrane subunits, nor were they incorporated into virions. G407R/N427I-A429T and Y431D substitutions within the SU C-terminal domain of ERV-DC7 fl and ERV-DC16 fl, respectively, caused these dysfunctions. The residues glycine 407 and tyrosine 431 are relatively conserved among infectious gammaretroviruses, and their substitution causes the same dysfunctions as the tested retroviruses. Our results reveal that specific mutations within the SU C-terminal domain suppressed Env cleavage and incorporation into virions and indicate that these mutations contributed to the domestication of Refrex-1 through multistep events that occurred in the postintegration period.IMPORTANCEDomestic cats are colonized with various exogenous retroviruses (exRVs), such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and their genomes contain numerous ERVs, some of which are replication-competent proviruses. The feline hosts, exRVs, and ERVs have complicated genetic interactions and provide an interesting field model for triangular relationships: recombination between FeLV and ERV-DC, which is a feline ERV, generated FeLV-D, a chimeric virus, and FeLV-D is restricted by Refrex-1, an antiretroviral factor corresponding to truncated Env of ERV-DC7 and ERV-DC16. Here, we reconstructed ancestral, functional Env from ERV-DC7 and ERV-DC16envby inducing reverse mutations to elucidate how Refrex-1 was generated from its ancestor. Our results reveal that they were repeatedly inactivated by mutations preventing Env maturation. Our results provide insights into how ERVs were “domesticated” by their hosts and identify the mutations that mediated these evolutions. Notably, experiments that restore inactivated ERVs might uncover previously unrecognized features or properties of retroviruses.

scholarly journals Epidemiologic survey of feline leukemia virus in domestic cats on Tsushima Island, Japan: management strategy for Tsushima leopard cats

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Makundi ◽  
Yushi Koshida ◽  
Kyohei Kuse ◽  
Takahiro Hiratsuka ◽  
Jumpei Ito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategy ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Epidemiologic Survey

scholarly journals Molecular detection of viral agents in free-ranging and captive neotropical felids in Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 660-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana M. Furtado ◽  
Sueli A. Taniwaki ◽  
Iracema N. de Barros ◽  
Paulo E. Brandão ◽  
José L. Catão-Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Feline Coronavirus

We describe molecular testing for felid alphaherpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), alphacoronavirus 1 (feline coronavirus [FCoV]), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) in whole blood samples of 109 free-ranging and 68 captive neotropical felids from Brazil. Samples from 2 jaguars ( Panthera onca) and 1 oncilla ( Leopardus tigrinus) were positive for FHV-1; 2 jaguars, 1 puma ( Puma concolor), and 1 jaguarundi ( Herpairulus yagouaroundi) tested positive for CPPV-1; and 1 puma was positive for FIV. Based on comparison of 103 nucleotides of the UL24-UL25 gene, the FHV-1 sequences were 99–100% similar to the FHV-1 strain of domestic cats. Nucleotide sequences of CPPV-1 were closely related to sequences detected in other wild carnivores, comparing 294 nucleotides of the VP1 gene. The FIV nucleotide sequence detected in the free-ranging puma, based on comparison of 444 nucleotides of the pol gene, grouped with other lentiviruses described in pumas, and had 82.4% identity with a free-ranging puma from Yellowstone Park and 79.5% with a captive puma from Brazil. Our data document the circulation of FHV-1, CPPV-1, and FIV in neotropical felids in Brazil.

scholarly journals Presence of Endogenous Viral Elements Negatively Correlates with Feline Leukemia Virus Susceptibility in Puma and Domestic Cat Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliott S. Chiu ◽  
Sue VandeWoude
Keyword(s):  
Copy Number ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Endogenous Virus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Felid Species

ABSTRACT While feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has been shown to infect felid species other than the endemic domestic cat host, differences in FeLV susceptibility among species has not been evaluated. Previous reports have noted a negative correlation between endogenous FeLV (enFeLV) copy number and exogenous FeLV (exFeLV) infection outcomes in domestic cats. Since felids outside the genus Felis do not harbor enFeLV genomes, we hypothesized absence of enFeLV results in more severe disease consequences in felid species lacking these genomic elements. We infected primary fibroblasts isolated from domestic cats (Felis catus) and pumas (Puma concolor) with FeLV and quantitated proviral and viral antigen loads. Domestic cat enFeLV env and long terminal repeat (LTR) copy numbers were determined for each individual and compared to FeLV viral outcomes. FeLV proviral and antigen levels were also measured in 6 naturally infected domestic cats and 11 naturally infected Florida panthers (P. concolor coryi). We demonstrated that puma fibroblasts are more permissive to FeLV than domestic cat cells, and domestic cat FeLV restriction was highly related to enFeLV-LTR copy number. Terminal tissues from FeLV-infected Florida panthers and domestic cats had similar exFeLV proviral copy numbers, but Florida panther tissues have higher FeLV antigen loads. Our work indicates that enFeLV-LTR elements negatively correlate with exogenous FeLV replication. Further, Puma concolor samples lacking enFeLV are more permissive to FeLV infection than domestic cat samples, suggesting that endogenization can play a beneficial role in mitigating exogenous retroviral infections. Conversely, presence of endogenous retroelements may relate to new host susceptibility during viral spillover events. IMPORTANCE Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can infect a variety of felid species. Only the primary domestic cat host and related small cat species harbor a related endogenous virus in their genomes. Previous studies noted a negative association between the endogenous virus copy number and exogenous virus infection in domestic cats. This report shows that puma cells, which lack endogenous FeLV, produce more virus more rapidly than domestic cat fibroblasts following cell culture challenge. We document a strong association between domestic cat cell susceptibility and FeLV long terminal repeat (LTR) copy number, similar to observations in natural FeLV infections. Viral replication does not, however, correlate with FeLV env copy number, suggesting that this effect is specific to FeLV-LTR elements. This discovery indicates a protective capacity of the endogenous virus against the exogenous form, either via direct interference or indirectly via gene regulation, and may suggest evolutionary outcomes of retroviral endogenization.

scholarly journals Disentangling the link between supplemental feeding, population density, and the prevalence of pathogens in urban stray cats

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jusun Hwang ◽  
Nicole L. Gottdenker ◽  
Dae-Hyun Oh ◽  
Ho-Woo Nam ◽  
Hang Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Supplemental Feeding ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Feline Panleukopenia Virus ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Transmission Modes

Background Supplemental feeding of free-roaming animals, including wildlife and feral or stray animals, is well known to have a substantial impact on various aspects of animal ecology including habitat use, activity patterns, and host-pathogen interactions. Among them, an increased population density (PD) of animals receiving supplemental food raises concerns regarding the transmission of pathogens in these host populations. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how supplemental feeding is associated with host PD and prevalence of pathogens with different transmission modes in urban stray cats. We hypothesized that supplemental feeding would be positively associated with host PD and the prevalence of pathogens with density-dependent transmission modes compared with pathogens with transmission modes that are considered relatively density-independent. Methods This study was conducted in six districts in Seoul, Republic of Korea which were selected based on different degrees of supplemental feeding and cat caretaker activity (CCA). The PD of stray cats was estimated by mark-recapture surveys. Stray cat blood samples (N = 302) were collected from stray cats by local animal hospitals from each district performing the trap-neuter-release which tested for eight pathogens with different transmission modes (feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline panleukopenia virus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus-1, Bartonella henselae, hemoplasma, and Toxoplasma gondii) with molecular or serological assays. Associations between the prevalence of each pathogen and PD, CCA, and sex of cats were statistically analyzed. Results In contrast to initial predictions, the cat PD was generally higher in low CCA districts. The prevalence of (FeLV), which is transmitted through direct contact, was significantly higher in areas with a high CCA, conforming to our hypothesis. On the other hand, the prevalence of feline parvovirus, which can be spread by environmental transmission, was higher in low CCA districts. The remaining six pathogens did not show any association with the CCA; however, they had a unique association with the PD or the sex of the stray cats. Discussion Our findings suggest that in addition to influencing the PD, supplemental feeding may affect the prevalence of pathogens in urban animals by mechanisms such as increased aggregation and/or altered foraging strategies, with different consequences depending on the transmission mode of each pathogen.

Prevalence of feline leukemia virus infection in domestic cats in Rio de Janeiro

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 583-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia R de Almeida ◽  
Maria G M Danelli ◽  
Lucia H P da Silva ◽  
Mitika K Hagiwara ◽  
Carlos Mazur
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cats

scholarly journals Presence of endogenous viral elements negatively correlates with FeLV susceptibility in puma and domestic cat cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliott S. Chiu ◽  
Sue VandeWoude
Keyword(s):  
Copy Number ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Endogenous Virus ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Felid Species

AbstractWhile feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has been shown to infect felid species other than the endemic domestic cat host, differences in FeLV susceptibility among species has not been evaluated. Previous reports have noted a negative correlation between enFeLV copy number and exogenous FeLV infection outcomes in domestic cats. Since felids outside the genus Felis do not harbor enFeLV genomes, we hypothesized absence of enFeLV results in more severe disease consequences in felid species lacking these genomic elements. We infected primary fibroblasts isolated from domestic cats (Felis catus) and pumas (Puma concolor) with FeLV and quantitated proviral and viral antigen loads. Domestic cat enFeLV env and LTR copy numbers were determined for each individual and compared to FeLV viral outcomes. FeLV proviral and antigen levels were also measured in 6 naturally infected domestic cats and 11 naturally infected Florida panthers (P. concolor coryi). We demonstrated that puma fibroblasts are more permissive to FeLV than domestic cat cells, and domestic cat FeLV restriction was highly related to enFeLV LTR copy number. Terminal tissues from FeLV-infected Florida panthers and domestic cats had similar exFeLV proviral copy numbers, but Florida panther tissues have higher FeLV antigen loads. Our work indicates enFeLV LTR elements negatively regulate exogenous FeLV replication. Further, Puma concolor lacking enFeLV are more permissive to FeLV infection than domestic cats, suggesting endogenization can play a beneficial role in mitigating exogenous retroviral infections. Conversely, presence of endogenous retroelements may relate to new host susceptibility during viral spillover events.ImportanceFeline leukemia virus (FeLV) can infect a variety of felid species. Only the primary domestic cat host and related small cat species harbor a related endogenous virus in their genomes. Previous studies noted a negative association between the endogenous virus copy number and exogenous virus infection in domestic cats. This report shows that puma cells, which lack endogenous FeLV, produce more virus more rapidly than domestic cat fibroblasts following cell culture challenge. We document a strong association between domestic cat cell susceptibility and FeLV long terminal repeat (LTR) copy number, similar to observations in natural FeLV infections. Viral replication does not, however, correlate with FeLV env copy number, suggesting this effect is specific to FeLV LTR elements. This discovery indicates a protective capacity of the endogenous virus against the exogenous form, either via direct interference or indirectly via gene regulation, and may suggest evolutionary outcomes of retroviral endogenization.

scholarly journals A retroviral survey of endangered Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from Croatia

2021 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Tomislav Gomerčić ◽  
◽  
Matko Perharić ◽  
Josip Kusak ◽  
Vedran Slijepčević ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Eurasian Lynx ◽  
Molecular Tests ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Wild Felids

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) may cause persistent, lifelong and lethal infections in domestic and wild felids worldwide. FIV has been confirmed in most Felidae species, while FeLV infection is rare among non-domestic cats. The view that retroviruses are pathogenic in domestic cats but not in other free-ranging felid species was disproved by recent findings of retroviral pathology in several wild felids. The epidemiology of retroviral infections in felids in Croatia was only investigated in urban domestic cats, while there are no data for wild cat species. As the reintroduced Dinaric lynx (Lynx lynx) population suffers from low genetic diversity, which reduces their ability to adapt to new viral outbreaks, the health status of this lynx population is of particular concern. Two different commercial immunochromatographic assays were used for qualitative detection of FIV antibodies and FeLV antigens, while PCR was used for amplification of proviral gag and env genes in Eurasian lynx blood samples. All the 17 Eurasian lynx samples collected between 2001 and 2019 tested negative in both immunochromatographic and molecular tests. Even though our sample size was rather small, considering the fact that the population size of lynx in Croatia is estimated at 40 - 60 animals, our results can be considered representative for the population’s health status. Also, data about retroviral prevalence in Eurasian lynxes are scarce, so any new findings are very valuable.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Selected Infectious Agents in a Free-Ranging, Low-Density Lion Population in the Central Kalahari Game Reserves in Botswana

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Ramsauer ◽  
Gert Bay ◽  
Marina Meli ◽  
Regina Hofmann-Lehmann ◽  
Hans Lutz
Keyword(s):  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Feline Herpesvirus ◽  
Feline Parvovirus ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Feline Coronavirus

ABSTRACT Twenty-one free-ranging Central Kalahari lions (Panthera leo) exhibited a high prevalence rate of feline herpesvirus (100%) and feline immunodeficiency virus (71.4%). Canine distemper virus and feline calicivirus occurred with a low prevalence. All individuals tested negative for feline coronavirus, feline parvovirus, feline leukemia virus, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

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