Genetic characterization of feline parvovirus sequences from various carnivores

Infections with viruses of the feline parvovirus subgroup such as feline pa nleukopenia virus (FPV), mink enteritis virus (MEV) and canine parvovirus ( CPV-2) [together with its new antigenic types (CPV-2a, CPV-2b)] have been r eported from several wild carnivore species. To examine the susceptibility of different species to the various parvoviruses and their antigenic types, samples from wild carnivores with acute parvovirus infections were collect ed. Viral DNA was amplified, and subsequently analysed, from faeces or form alin-fixed small intestines from an orphaned bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalot is), a free-ranging honey badger (Mellivora capensis), six captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), a captive Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and a free-ranging African wild cat (Felis lybica). Parvovirus infection in ba t-eared fox and honey badger was demonstrated for the first time. FPV-seque nces were detected in tissues of the African wild cat and in faeces of one cheetah and the honey badger, whereas CPV-2b sequences were found in five c heetahs and the bat-eared fox. The Siberian tiger (from a German zoo) was i nfected with a CPV-type 2a virus. This distribution of feline parvovirus an tigenic types in captive large cats suggests an interspecies transmission f rom domestic dogs. CPV-2 sequences were not detected in any of the specimen s and no sequences with features intermediate between FPV and CPV were foun d in any of the animals examined.