title: Identification and characterization of an emerging small ruminant lentivirus circulating recombinant form (CRF).
abstract: The molecular epidemiology of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) is constantly changing due to animal movements, cross species transmission and because of their rapid evolutionary rate. This study reports a comprehensive genetic and phylogenetic analysis based on consensus gag and pol sequences covering 3kb of the SRLV genome from small ruminants in Québec, Canada. A group of strains obtained from goats originating from different flocks, segregated in a unique clade distinct from currently known SRLV groups. Genetic dissection of the gag gene from these strains revealed that it originated as a result of a recombination event between parental strains currently circulating in small ruminants of the country. Following HIV nomenclature, we propose to call this group of strains, circulating recombinant form 1 SRLV, or CRF01_AB SRLV. In addition, the study confirms the existence of genetically distinct and homogeneous populations of SRLVs infecting sheep and goats housed in single species flocks.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, St-Hyacinthe Laboratory, 3400 Blvd Casavant West, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada J2S 8E3; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada J2S 7C6. Electronic address: yvan.lhomme@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Yvan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: L'Homme
authors.affiliation: Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, 200 Chemin Ste-Foy, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada G1R 4X6.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leboeuf
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada J2S 7C6.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arsenault
authors.affiliation: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, St-Hyacinthe Laboratory, 3400 Blvd Casavant West, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada J2S 8E3.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fras
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D015685:Fusion Proteins, gag-pol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006041:Goats; D016180:Lentivirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D017972:Lentiviruses, Ovine-Caprine / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D015685:Fusion Proteins, gag-pol
keywords: CRF; Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus; Lentivirus; Maedi visna; Recombinant; SRLV