First report on detection and molecular characterization of alphacoronaviruses in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Members of the species Alphacoronavirus suis/Alphacoronavirus-1 (αCoV-1) are important viral pathogens of canids/felids that exhibit complex evolutionary patterns and have been associated with interspecies transmission events including zoonoses. Mongooses (family Herpestidae, order Carnivora) are scavengers that pose a risk as potential carrier of viral pathogens. To date, there are no reports on the genetic make-up/diversity of CoVs circulating in mongoose populations.

Methods

Fecal samples obtained from 53 small Indian mongooses (Urva auropunctata) on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts were screened for CoVs using a pan-CoV RT-semi-nested PCR assay and canine αCoV-specific RT-PCR assays. The partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and membrane protein (M) cod

SUBMITTER: Kulberg JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12831343 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature