Dataset Information

Determination of the diversity of astroviruses in feces from cats in Florida.

ABSTRACT: Astroviruses are small, nonenveloped RNA viruses that have been linked to numerous diseases in a variety of species, including enteric disease in humans and cheetahs. Species Mamastrovirus 2, previously known as feline astrovirus, has been isolated from the feces of domestic cats and cheetahs. A total of 122 cat fecal samples from Alachua County, FL Animal Services and the Veterinary Community Outreach Program at the University of Florida were analyzed, and 35 contained astroviral RNA that was amplified and identified using consensus RT-PCR and sequence analysis. Using phylogenetic analysis, 19 of the astroviral sequences were identified as Mamastrovirus 2, making it the most prevalent astrovirus in this population. Three samples were identified as an astrovirus similar to viruses previously identified in foxes in The Netherlands and a cat in California, and one was similar to a bat astrovirus. One astroviral sequence was identified as an Avastrovirus. Although a causative relationship between mamastroviruses and enteric disease in cats has yet to be established, it is clear that mamastroviruses are prevalent, and an understanding of prevalence of astroviral types may help direct future test development.

SUBMITTER: Lawler PE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6505883 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Determination of the diversity of astroviruses in feces from cats in Florida.

Lawler Patricia E PE Cook Kirstin A KA Williams Hannah G HG Archer Linda L LL Schaedel Karen E KE Isaza Natalie M NM Wellehan James F X JFX

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 20171204 2

Astroviruses are small, nonenveloped RNA viruses that have been linked to numerous diseases in a variety of species, including enteric disease in humans and cheetahs. Species Mamastrovirus 2, previously known as feline astrovirus, has been isolated from the feces of domestic cats and cheetahs. A total of 122 cat fecal samples from Alachua County, FL Animal Services and the Veterinary Community Outreach Program at the University of Florida were analyzed, and 35 contained astroviral RNA that was a ...[more]

PMID: 29202674

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Project description:Human astroviruses are a leading cause of gastrointestinal disease. Since their discovery in 1975, 8 closely related serotypes have been described in humans, and more recently, two new astrovirus species, astrovirus MLB1 and astrovirus VA1, were identified in diarrhea patients. In this study, we used consensus astrovirus primers targeting the RNA polymerase to define the diversity of astroviruses present in pediatric patients with diarrhea on two continents. From 416 stool specimens comprising two different cohorts from Vellore, India, 35 samples were positive. These positive samples were analyzed further by either sequencing of the approximately 400 bp amplicon generated by the consensus PCR or by performing additional RT-PCR specific for individual astroviruses. 19 samples contained the classic human astrovirus serotypes 1-8 while 7 samples were positive for the recently described astrovirus MLB1. Strikingly, from samples that were positive in the consensus PCR screen but negative in the specific PCR assays, five samples contained sequences that were highly divergent from all previously described astroviruses. Sequence analysis suggested that three novel astroviruses, tentatively named astroviruses VA2, MLB2 and VA3, were present in these five patient specimens (AstV-VA2 in 2 patients, AstV-MLB2 in 2 patients and AstV-VA3 in one patient). Using the same RT-PCR screening strategy, 13 samples out of 466 tested stool specimens collected in St. Louis, USA were positive. Nine samples were positive for the classic human astroviruses. One sample was positive for AstV-VA2, and 3 samples were positive for AstV-MLB2 demonstrating that these two viruses are globally widespread. Collectively, these findings underscore the tremendous diversity of astroviruses present in fecal specimens from diarrhea patients. Given that a significant fraction of diarrhea etiologies is currently unknown, it is plausible that these or other yet unrecognized astroviruses may be responsible for at least part of the undiagnosed cases.

Dataset Information

Determination of the diversity of astroviruses in feces from cats in Florida.

Publications

Determination of the diversity of astroviruses in feces from cats in Florida.

Similar Datasets

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