Identification of canine parvovirus with the Q370R point mutation in the VP2 gene from a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Yupeng Ren,Chengdong Wang,Xintian Wen,Qi-Gui Yan,Ling Guo,Shao-Lin Yang,Rong Hou,Wanzhu Guo,Zifang Quan,Manli Zhang,Sanjie Cao,Zhongxiang Hao,Shi-Jie Chen,Zhihe Zhang

doi:10.1186/1743-422x-10-163

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of the VP2 genes from twelve canine parvovirus (CPV) strains obtained from eleven domestic dogs and a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China. A novel canine parvovirus (CPV) was detected from the giant panda in China.ResultsNucleotide and phylogenetic analysis of the capsid protein VP2 gene classified the CPV as a new CPV-2a type. Substitution of Gln for Arg at the conserved 370 residue in CPV presents an unusual variation in the new CPV-2a amino acid sequence of the giant panda and is further evidence for the continuing evolution of the virus.ConclusionsThese findings extend the knowledge on CPV molecular epidemiology of particular relevance to wild carnivores.

Highlights

In this study, we sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of the VP2 genes from twelve canine parvovirus (CPV) strains obtained from eleven domestic dogs and a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China
Another antigenic variant having an amino acid substitution 426-Asp→Glu was reported for the first time in Italy [11] and had been reported from other countries [1,12,13,14,15,16,17], and this variant is currently named as CPV-2c
Out of 36 faecal samples of giant pandas and 97 canine rectal swabs screened by PCR assay using Hfor/Hrev primers, 1 giant panda and 62 dog samples yielded a specific amplicon of 611 bp, respectively

Summary

Introduction

We sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of the VP2 genes from twelve canine parvovirus (CPV) strains obtained from eleven domestic dogs and a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China. The antigenic types CPV-2a and CPV-2b differ from the original CPV-2 in at least five or six amino acids/residues of the VP2 capsid protein (genomic positions 3045, 3685, 3699, 4062 and 4449) [6,7]. Canine parvovirus type 2a/2b having mutation at 297 residue (Ser→Ala) is designated as new CPV-2a/2b [8,9], residue 297 is located in a minor antigenic site close to epitope B and substitutions at this position may be responsible for changes in antigenicity of CPV variants [10] Another antigenic variant having an amino acid substitution 426-Asp→Glu was reported for the first time in Italy [11] and had been reported from other countries [1,12,13,14,15,16,17], and this variant is currently named as CPV-2c

Methods

Results

Conclusion