Epidemiology, genetic diversity, and evolution of endemic feline immunodeficiency virus in a population of wild cougars.

ABSTRACT: Within the large body of research on retroviruses, the distribution and evolution of endemic retroviruses in natural host populations have so far received little attention. In this study, the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and molecular evolution of feline immunodeficiency virus specific to cougars (FIVpco) was examined using blood samples collected over several years from a free-ranging cougar population in the western United States. The virus prevalence was 58% in this population (n = 52) and increased significantly with host age. Based on phylogenetic analysis of fragments of envelope (env) and polymerase (pol) genes, two genetically distinct lineages of FIVpco were found to cooccur in the population but not in the same individuals. Within each of the virus lineages, geographically ne

SUBMITTER: Biek R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC187433 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature