Prevalence and genetic pattern of feline coronaviruses in urban cat populations

The prevalence and phylogeny of feline coronaviruses were studied in urban cat populations by sampling of 113 clinically healthy cats. Rectal swab sam ples were subjected to a nested reverse-transcription polymerase chain reac tion, specific for the conservative nucleocapsid region of the virus genome . More than 30% of the sampled animals proved positive for the presence of feline coronaviruses. The nucleotide sequences of amplified 440 bp products were determined, aligned and the phylogenetic analysis revealed noticeable genetic clusters among the prevalent feline coronaviruses in the surveyed geographic area. These findings will hopefully contribute to the elucidatio n of the epidemiology of feline infectious peritonitis. (C) 2000 Harcourt P ublishers Ltd.