Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of feline astrovirus from Anhui province in eastern China

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the phylogenetic and molecular characteristics of feline astrovirus. A total of 33 fecal samples of domestic cats with or without diarrhea were collected from the Anhui province, and two positive samples were detected. The complete genome and ORF2 of the two strains were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. AH-1-2020 and AH-2-2020 displayed 83.4% homology, and their homologies with other reference strains were 75.3%-83.4% and 83.4%-95.0%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that all strains could be classified into three different clusters; therefore, the mean amino acid genetic distances (p-dist) among the three clusters were estimated. The results suggested that the two strains and other FeAstV strains were grouped into three genotypes, with AH-1-2020 belonging to a novel genotype. High similarity was observed (65.9%-66.5% nucleotide identity and 63.8%-64.8% amino acid identity) in ORF2 between porcine astrovirus type 1 and AH-1-2020. Furthermore, inter-specific recombination between porcine astrovirus type 1 and FeAstV was observed. We, therefore, inferred that inter-specific transmission may exist between pigs and cats; however, further studies are required to verify this. This is the first report on the genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of FeAstVs in the Anhui province and would further the current understanding of the genetic diversity and epidemiology of FeAstVs.