scholarly journals Feline Coronavirus 3c Protein: A Candidate for a Virulence Marker?

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Hora ◽  
P. O. Tonietti ◽  
S. A. Taniwaki ◽  
K. M. Asano ◽  
P. Maiorka ◽  
...  

Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) is highly virulent and responsible for the highly fatal disease feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), whereas feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) is widespread among the feline population and typically causes asymptomatic infections. Some candidates for genetic markers capable of differentiating these two pathotypes of a unique virus (feline coronavirus) have been proposed by several studies. In the present survey, in order to search for markers that can differentiate FECV and FIPV, several clones of the 3a–c, E, and M genes were sequenced from samples obtained from cats with or without FIP. All genes showed genetic diversity and suggested the presence of FCoV mutant spectrum capable of producing a virulent pathotype in an individual-specific way. In addition, all the feline coronavirus FIPV strains demonstrated a truncated 3c protein, and the 3c gene was the only observed pathotypic marker for FCoVs, showing that 3c gene is a candidate marker for the distinction between the two pathotypes when the mutant spectrum is taken into account.

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1150
Author(s):  
Manon Delaplace ◽  
Hélène Huet ◽  
Adèle Gambino ◽  
Sophie Le Poder

Feline coronaviruses (FCoV) are common viral pathogens of cats. They usually induce asymptomatic infections but some FCoV strains, named Feline Infectious Peritonitis Viruses (FIPV) lead to a systematic fatal disease, the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). While no treatments are approved as of yet, numerous studies have been explored with the hope to develop therapeutic compounds. In recent years, two novel molecules (GS-441524 and GC376) have raised hopes given the encouraging results, but some concerns about the use of these molecules persist, such as the fear of the emergence of viral escape mutants or the difficult tissue distribution of these antivirals in certain affected organs. This review will summarize current findings and leads in the development of antiviral therapy against FCoV both in vitro and in vivo, with the description of their mechanisms of action when known. It highlights the molecules, which could have a broader effect on different coronaviruses. In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the development of antivirals is an urgent need and FIP could be a valuable model to help this research area.


2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-Nan Lin ◽  
Bi-Ling Su ◽  
Ching-Ho Wang ◽  
Ming-Wei Hsieh ◽  
Ti-Jen Chueh ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 205511692094147
Author(s):  
Christopher Hoey ◽  
George Nye ◽  
Angela Fadda ◽  
Janet Bradshaw ◽  
Emi N Barker

Case summary A 7-month-old Siberian cat was presented for investigation of acute onset multifocal neurological deficits. Neurological examination documented dull mental status and an ambulatory left hemiparesis. Serum biochemistry documented marked hyperglobulinaemia. MRI of the brain identified marked leptomeningeal contrast enhancement extending along the brainstem caudally to involve the cranial cervical spinal cord. MRI of the cervical spine further identified a subarachnoid diverticulum that extended from the level of the obex to the C2–C3 vertebrae. Cerebrospinal fluid quantitative RT-PCR was positive for the presence of feline coronavirus. Histopathology revealed pyogranulomatous meningitis and choroid plexitis, uveitis and nephritis. Relevance and novel information This article describes the first reported case of a subarachnoid diverticulum associated with feline infectious peritonitis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Rissi

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is one of the most important viral diseases of cats worldwide. Our study describes the neuropathology and the diagnostic features of 26 cases of FIP in domestic cats. The average age of affected individuals was 11.8 mo, and there was no sex or breed predisposition. Clinical neurologic signs were noted in 22 cases, and rabies was clinically suspected in 11 cases. Twenty cats had lesions in multiple organs, and 6 cats had lesions only in the brain. Gross neuropathologic changes occurred in 15 cases and consisted of hydrocephalus (10 cases), cerebellar herniation through the foramen magnum (6 cases), cerebral swelling with flattening of gyri (2 cases), and accumulation of fibrin within ventricles (2 cases) or leptomeninges (1 case). Histologically, 3 main distinct distributions of neuropathologic changes were observed, namely periventricular encephalitis (12 cases), rhombencephalitis (8 cases), and diffuse leptomeningitis with superficial encephalitis (6 cases). Fresh tissue samples were submitted for fluorescent antibody testing (FAT) after autopsy in 17 cases, and positive results were found in only 7 cases. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for feline coronavirus confirmed the diagnosis in all 26 cases. IHC appears to be a more sensitive and reliable test for confirmation of FIP than is FAT.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1216
Author(s):  
Diane Addie ◽  
Johanna Covell-Ritchie ◽  
Oswald Jarrett ◽  
Mark Fosbery

This is the first report of a successful treatment of a non-effusive feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) uveitis case using an oral adenosine nucleoside analogue drug and feline interferon omega, and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) as an indicator of recovery. A 2-year-old male neutered Norwegian Forest Cat presented with uveitis, keratic precipitates, mesenteric lymphadenopathy and weight loss. The cat was hypergammaglobulinaemic and had a non-regenerative anaemia. Feline coronavirus (FCoV) RNA was detected in a mesenteric lymph node fine-needle aspirate by a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction—non-effusive FIP was diagnosed. Prednisolone acetate eye drops were administered three times daily for 2 weeks. Oral adenosine nucleoside analogue (Mutian) treatment started. Within 50 days of Mutian treatment, the cat had gained over one kilogram in weight, his globulin level reduced from 77 to 51 g/L and his haematocrit increased from 22 to 35%; his uveitis resolved and his sight improved. Serum AGP level reduced from 3100 to 400 μg/mL (within normal limits). Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) was above normal at 28 μg/dL, reducing to 14 μg/dL on the cessation of treatment; whether the SDMA increase was due to FIP lesions in the kidney or Mutian is unknown. Mutian treatment stopped and low-dose oral recombinant feline interferon omega begun—the cat’s recovery continued.


2019 ◽  
Vol 237 ◽  
pp. 108398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishani Dinali Perera ◽  
Athri D. Rathnayake ◽  
Hongwei Liu ◽  
Niels C. Pedersen ◽  
William C. Groutas ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 763-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunqiu Li ◽  
Qiujin Liu ◽  
Fanzhi Kong ◽  
Donghua Guo ◽  
Junjun Zhai ◽  
...  

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra J Malbon ◽  
Sonja Fonfara ◽  
Marina L Meli ◽  
Shelley Hahn ◽  
Herman Egberink ◽  
...  

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal immune-mediated disease of cats, induced by feline coronavirus (FCoV). A combination of as yet poorly understood host and viral factors combine to cause a minority of FCoV-infected cats to develop FIP. Clinicopathological features include fever, vasculitis, and serositis, with or without effusions; all of which indicate a pro-inflammatory state with cytokine release. As a result, primary immune organs, as well as circulating leukocytes, have thus far been of most interest in previous studies to determine the likely sources of these cytokines. Results have suggested that these tissues alone may not be sufficient to induce the observed inflammation. The current study therefore focussed on the liver and heart, organs with a demonstrated ability to produce cytokines and therefore with huge potential to exacerbate inflammatory processes. The IL-12:IL-10 ratio, a marker of the immune system’s inflammatory balance, was skewed towards the pro-inflammatory IL-12 in the liver of cats with FIP. Both organs were found to upregulate mRNA expression of the inflammatory triad of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in FIP. This amplifying step may be one of the missing links in the pathogenesis of this enigmatic disease.


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