A Search for New Subtypes of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Through Identification of Hawaiian Viral Haplotypes

Bean, Andrew

A Search for New Subtypes of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Through Identification of Hawaiian Viral Haplotypes

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/34330

Author(s)

Bean, Andrew

Date Issued

April 30, 2013

Abstract

The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a diverse virus that affects all members of the class Felidae. There are five subgroups of the virus, A, B, C, D, and E. Several studies have analyzed the DNA sequences of viruses from different continents and found a varying distribution of the subtypes. FIV studies from island nations like Japan and New Zealand have found new subtypes however studies on other islands have not occurred. In this study, the env gene of the virus was sequenced from 10 FIV infected cats from Hawaii in an attempt to classify the viruses into known subgroups or identify novel haplotypes. A neighboring-joining phylogenetic tree reconstruction including previously identified sequences showed that a majority of Hawaiian samples were subtype C, most resembling sequences from Japan and New Zealand. Two sequences resembled those from California clustering with subtype A, and one sequence did not group with any know subtypes suggesting the existence of a new subgroup. The study also suggests that viral evolution is constrained to exist within the established subtypes and the novel mutants are selected against. The results indicate a need for regular molecular screening of viral populations to better predict and avoid public health crises.

Honors

Biology, 2013

First Reader(s)

Webb, Kristen