Abstract
The Feline coronavirus (FCoV) can cause a fatal disease, the Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Persistent shedders represent the most important source of infection. The role of the host in FCoV fecal shedding is unknown. The objective of this study was to develop gene markers and to test their associations with FCoV shedding patterns. Fecal samples were taken from 57 cats of 12 breeds on the day 0 and after 2, 4 and 12 months. Variation from persistent and/or high-intensity shedding to no shedding was observed. Thirteen immunity-related genes were selected as functional and positional/functional candidates. Positional candidates were selected in a candidate region detected by a GWAS analysis. Tens to hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) per gene were identified using next generation sequencing. Associations with different phenotypes were assessed by chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. SNPs of one functional and one positional candidate (NCR1 and SLX4IP, respectively) and haplotypes of four genes (SNX5, NCR2, SLX4IP, NCR1) were associated with FCoV shedding at pcorected < 0.01. Highly significant associations were observed for extreme phenotypes (persistent/high-intensity shedders and non-shedders) suggesting that there are two major phenotypes associated with different genotypes, highly susceptible cats permanently shedding high amounts of viral particles and resistant non-shedders.
Highlights
The Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is ubiquitous in feline populations worldwide, and despite being first described in 1963 [1], it remains one of the most poorly understood feline viruses
NS (Non-shedders): all four samples negative; persistent shedders (PS) (Persistent shedders): all four samples positive; IS (Intermittent shedders): at least one positive and one negative sampling followed by another positive sampling; US (Shedders with unclear status): shedding patterns could not be determined based on four samplings
The results showed that polymorphic markers located within a candidate genomic region of chromosome A3 associated with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in a previous GWAS [21] were associated with fecal shedding of FECV
Summary
The Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is ubiquitous in feline populations worldwide, and despite being first described in 1963 [1], it remains one of the most poorly understood feline viruses. Coronavirus (FECV)) and the virulent form (Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV)) causing a fatal clinical disease, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Infection with FCoV is a major problem in multiple-cat households and, to a lesser extent, in free-roaming cats. Pathogens 2020, 9, 958 in multi-cat environments, where many cats are kept together in a small space, such as catteries and shelters. Infection with FCoV is common in domestic cats, with up to 90% of cats within multi-cat households being seropositive [2]. The majority of FCoV infections are asymptomatic or are associated with mild intestinal disease; approximately 1–5% of infected cats develop FIP [3,4], which is characterized by the development of a variable combination of pyogranulomatous polyserositis, vasculitis and granulomatous lesions in organs, and an extremely high mortality rate [5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
