Molecular evidence of kobuviruses in free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are susceptible to viral diseases of domestic carnivores. In this study, by screening rectal swabs collected from 34 red foxes in Italy, we identified kobuvirus RNA in five samples. Based on analysis of partial RdRp and full-length VP1 genes, all of the strains shared the highest identity with canine kobuviruses (CaKVs) recently detected in the US, the UK and Italy. These findings provide the first evidence of the circulation of these novel viruses in foxes.
Department of Scienze Biomediche Comparate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piazza Aldo Moro, 45, 64100, Teramo, Italy, bdimartino@unite.it.
Barbara
B
Di Martino
Federica
F
Di Profio
Irene
I
Melegari
Serena
S
Robetto
Elisabetta
E
Di Felice
Riccardo
R
Orusa
Fulvio
F
Marsilio
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D005589:Foxes; D005838:Genotype; D007558:Italy; D052699:Kobuvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010850:Picornaviridae Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012007:Rectum / Q000821:virology
D012367:RNA, Viral