Molecular characterization and clinical insights into feline chaphamaparvovirus (FeChPV) in cats from Thailand.

Abstract

Feline chaphamaparvovirus (FeChPV) is a recently discovered parvovirus in cats that is linked to respiratory and enteric diseases. Notably, FeChPV is also detected in healthy cats, warranting further investigation into its clinical significance. This study aimed to assess the presence of FeChPV in cats across Thailand while also exploring its genetic characteristics through phylogenetic, recombination, and selective pressure analyses. Molecular investigations were performed on oropharyngeal swabs from both healthy (n = 165) and diseased (n = 167) cats. The findings revealed an FeChPV detection rate of 10.2 % (34/332), with the virus detected in both healthy (9.1 %, 15/165) and diseased cats (11.4 %, 19/167). However, no significant association was observed between these conditions and the presence of FeChPV (p = 0.5879). Among the FeChPV-positive cases, 61.8 % (21/34) exhibited concurrent detection with common feline viruses. Apart from oropharyngeal swab samples, FeChPV was also detected in additional clinical samples, including nasal swabs, auricular swabs, rectal swabs, and urine samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete coding sequence indicated that most FeChPV strains in this study clustered into a single clade, except for BKK052 and CB050. Two recombinant strains (C14 and HF2) from China were found, in which FeChPV CB050 Thai strain served as putative minor and major parents, respectively. The NS1 and VP1 codon sequences underwent negative selective pressure, with multiple positive selection sites observed. Although a specific disease associated with FeChPV infection could not be concluded, underlying health conditions may increase susceptibility to FeChPV infection. Further research is essential to comprehensively understand the role of this virus in feline health.