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Molecular characterization of Brazilian FeLV strains in São Luis, Maranhão Brazil

Martins NDS 1 , Rodrigues APS 2 , Bicalho JM 2 , Albuquerque JJ 1 , Reis LL 3 , Alves LL 3 Show all authors , de Oliveira RM 1 , Santos LSD 1 , de Carvalho Neta AV 1 , de Oliveira RA 4 , Carvalho RC 5 , Melo FA 1 , Dos Reis JKP 2 , Abreu-Silva AL 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 Departament of Pathology, State University of Maranhão, University City Paulo VI, Cx. Postal 9, Tirirical, São Luís, MA, 65055-970, Brazil
  • 2 Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG 30 123-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
  • 3 Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão (UEMA), Praça Duque de Caxias, s/n, Morro do Alecrim, Caxias, MA, 65604-380, Brazil
  • 4 Department of Veterinary Clinics, State University of Maranhão, University City Paulo VI, Cx. Postal 9, Tirirical, São Luís, MA, 65055-970, Brazil
  • 5 Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, UFMA, Rodovia BR 222, Km 04, s/n, Boa Vista, Chapadinha, MA, 65500-000, Brazil
  • 6 Departament of Pathology, State University of Maranhão, University City Paulo VI, Cx. Postal 9, Tirirical, São Luís, MA, 65055-970, Brazil. abreusilva.ana@gmail.com
Virus Genes, 2023 Aug;59(4):562-571.
PMID: 37195404 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-01997-x

Abstract

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) belongs to the Retroviridae family and Gammaretrovirus genus, and causes a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases in domestic cats (Felis catus), such as thymic and multicentric lymphomas, myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia, aplastic anemia, and immunodeficiency. The aim of the present study was to carry out the molecular characterization of FeLV-positive samples and determine the circulating viral subtype in the city of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, as well as identify its phylogenetic relationship and genetic diversity. The FIV Ac/FeLV Ag Test Kit (Alere™) and the commercial immunoenzymatic assay kit (Alere™) were used to detect the positive samples, which were subsequently confirmed by ELISA (ELISA - SNAP® Combo FeLV/FIV). To confirm the presence of proviral DNA, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the target fragments of 450, 235, and 166 bp of the FeLV gag gene. For the detection of FeLV subtypes, nested PCR was performed for FeLV-A, B, and C, with amplification of 2350-, 1072-, 866-, and 1755-bp fragments for the FeLV env gene. The results obtained by nested PCR showed that the four positive samples amplified the A and B subtypes. The C subtype was not amplified. There was an AB combination but no ABC combination. Phylogenetic analysis revealed similarities (78% bootstrap) between the subtype circulating in Brazil and FeLV-AB and with the subtypes of Eastern Asia (Japan) and Southeast Asia (Malaysia), demonstrating that this subtype possesses high genetic variability and a differentiated genotype.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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