Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of feline calicivirus strains from various region of China

Abstract Feline calicivirus (FCV) is an important feline pathogen mainly causing upper respiratory tract disease, conjunctivitis, and stomatitis, it classified into genotype I II. To investigate the prevalence molecular characteristics of FCV, this study collected 337 cat swab samples from animal hospitals in different regions China 2019 to 2021. The positive detection rate FCV was 29.9% (101/337) by RT-PCR. Statistical analysis showed that significantly associated with living environment ( p = 0.0004), age 0.031) clinical symptoms 0.00), but not sex 0.092) breed 0.171). 26 strains were isolated using F81 cells. Phylogenetic 10 isolates belonged I, 16 These highly genetically diverse, which HB7 isolate had three same virulence-related amino acid loci VSD strains. Potential distinguishing genotypes identified isolates, suggesting genetic relationship between genotypes. In addition, selection pressure based on capsid protein revealed under diversifying selection. This reveals diversity provides a reference for screening vaccine candidate development vaccines better cross-protection effects.