Detection of Felis catus Gammaherpesvirus 1 in Cats, but not Dogs, in Türkiye: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND

The first gammaherpesvirus to be identified in cats, Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 (FcaGHV1), has been identified in different countries worldwide. However, there are limited studies on FcaGHV1 infection in Türkiye.

OBJECTIVES

The current study was carried out to determine prevalence of FcaGHV1 in Turkish domestic cats and dogs and to investigate potential risk factors that are associated with the detection of FcaGHV1.

METHODS

Whole blood samples were collected from cats (n = 54) and dogs (n = 44). The glycoprotein B (gB) gene-based TaqMan real-time PCR assay was utilised to determine the presence of FcaGHV1-specific DNA. Furthermore, the gB gene region of samples that were found positive in the TaqMan real-time PCR assay was amplified through conventional PCR.

RESULTS

FcaGHV1-specific DNA was detected in 4 (7.4%, 95% confidence interval 0.4-14.4) of the 54 feline blood samples by TaqMan real-time PCR. However, FcaGHV1-specific DNA was not detected in the EDTA-blood samples from dogs. The field isolates in this study and isolates from domestic cats in Austria, Japan, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, and the USA were clustered together by the phylogenetic analysis based on gB gene sequences. Analysis of risk factors showed that there was no significant association between the investigated variables (age, sex, breed, health status, neutering status and outdoor access) and FcaGHV1 detection.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the current study, FcaGHV1 circulates in domestic cats in Türkiye. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest that virus transmission does not occur between cat and dog species. It is necessary to conduct more research to determine the prevalence of FcaGHV1 in Türkiye and to confirm the risk factors associated with FcaGHV1 detection.