Isolation of a highly cytopathic lentivirus from a nondomestic cat

Abstract

A feline immunodeficiency virus-like virus (FIV-Oma) isolated from a Pallas' cat (Otocolobus manul) is highly cytopathic in CrFK cells, in contrast to the chronic, noncytolytic infection established by an FIV isolate from a domestic cat (FIV-Fca). The virions have typical lentivirus morphology, density, and magnesium-dependent reverse transcriptase activity. The major core protein is antigenically cross-reactive with that of FIV-Fca; however, FIV-Oma transcripts do not cross-hybridize with FIV-Fca. A conserved region of the FIV-Oma polgene has 76 to 80% nucleic acid identity with the corresponding pol regions of other feline lentiviruses and 64 to 69% identity with those of human, ovine, and equine lentiviruses.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Puma Lentivirus in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi): Epidemiology and Diagnostic Issues

“…Western blot analysis, using domestic cat and/or non-domestic Pallas cat FIV proteins as antigens, was performed as described by Barr and colleagues (1989) only to con¢rm or clarify test results when ELISA values were equivocal and rarely as opportunistically feasible. Only domestic cat FIV proteins were available for use in Western blot analysis prior to 1990 but both domestic cat and Pallas cat FIV proteins were available for use after 1990 (Barr et al, 1995(Barr et al, , 1997. A positive Western blot was de¢ned as having reactivity with two or more protein bands, whereas an equivocal result had reactivity with only one band, usually p26 or p17.…”

FIV as a Model for HIV: An Overview

“…269,617 However, some nondomestic FIV isolates including FIV-Ple and FIV-Oma have been shown to replicate in domestic cat lymphocytes and some feline cell lines including CrFK cells (FIV-Oma) and a feline lymphoid cell line (3201 cells) (FIV-Ple). 275,617 FIV-Pco was also shown to replicate in 3201 cells. 617 Although characterization of receptor usage for nondomestic feline lentiviruses has not yet been reported, these current findings for in vitro growth properties suggest that nondomestic FIV isolates may also be capable of infecting and replicating in vivo in domestic cats.…”

“…274 Viruses similar to FIV have been documented in several nondomestic felids such as lions, panthers, and bobcats. 269,[275][276][277][278][279][280][281][282] The large genetic diversity observed for lentiviruses among different nondomestic felids and between nondomestic feline lentiviruses and FIV, however, do not support the likelihood that nondomestic feline lentiviruses contribute significantly to the circulation of FIV in domestic cats. There is little evidence that FIV is transmissible to any other species including humans 13 with the exception of a recent single report describing experimental FIV infection of nonhuman primates (cynomolgus macaques).…”

“…The initial observation of infection of nondomestic cats with a feline lentivirus 613 was subsequently confirmed by multiple reports revealing either virologic or serologic evidence of infection in both captive and freeranging populations of several nondomestic feline species. 269,[275][276][277][278][279][280][281][282] Speciesspecific feline lentivirus isolates have since been characterized for lions (FIV-Ple), leopards (FIV-Ppa), pumas/courgars (FIV-Pco), and pallas cats (FIV-Oma). 277,[614][615][616][617] Nondomestic feline lentivirus infection of free-ranging nondomestic felids is worldwide and includes lion and leopard populations within Africa; cougar populations in southern and western United States, Canada, and South America; cheetahs in Africa; and Pallas cats in central Asia.…”

“…277,[614][615][616][617] Nondomestic feline lentivirus infection of free-ranging nondomestic felids is worldwide and includes lion and leopard populations within Africa; cougar populations in southern and western United States, Canada, and South America; cheetahs in Africa; and Pallas cats in central Asia. 269,275,278,281,282,613 Interestingly, the prevalence of feline lentivirus infection in specific nondomestic cat populations, including lions in the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater of east Africa and Kruger National Park of South Africa and cougars within the Snowy Mountain Rage in Wyoming, is quite high ranging from 58% (cougars) to 90% (lions). 277,281,282,618 Despite evidence of endemic infection of free-ranging lion and cougar populations, overt disease has not been associated with lentivirus infection in these populations.…”