Abstract
We detected ferret coronaviruses in 44 (55.7%) of 79 pet ferrets tested in Japan and classified the viruses into 2 genotypes on the basis of genotype-specific PCR. Our results show that 2 ferret coronaviruses that cause feline infectious peritonitis–like disease and epizootic catarrhal enteritis are enzootic among ferrets in Japan.
Highlights
We detected ferret coronaviruses in 44 (55.7%) of 79 pet ferrets tested in Japan and classified the viruses into 2 genotypes on the basis of genotype-specific PCR
We established a sensitive reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) method using a new primer pair to detect coronavirus sequences and demonstrated that ferret coronaviruses are widespread among ferrets in Japan
feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)-like disease, designated as genotype 1 by Wise et al [5], all fell within genotype 1 phylogenetically, whereas all published epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE)-causing strains fell within genotype 2
Summary
We detected ferret coronaviruses in 44 (55.7%) of 79 pet ferrets tested in Japan and classified the viruses into 2 genotypes on the basis of genotype-specific PCR. On the basis of the partial sequences of the spike gene, Wise et al [5] reported that the known ferret coronaviruses could be divided into 2 genotypes: genotype 1, which included the agent of FIP-like disease, and genotype 2, which included the causative agent of ECE To differentiate between these genotypes in the positive samples from our testing, RT-PCR was carried out by using 2 pairs of genotype-specific primers: forward primer 5′-CTG GTG TTT GTG CAA CAT CTA C-3′ and reverse primer 5′-TCT ATT TGC ACA AAA TCA GAC A-3′ for genotype 1, and forward primer 5′-GGC ATT TGT TTT GAT AAC GTT G-3′ and reverse primer 5′-CTA TTA ATT CGC ACG AAA TCT GC-3′ for genotype 2 [5]. 30 (38.0%) were infected with genotype 1 and 17 (21.5%)
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.
