Identification and genetic evolution analysis of astrovirus RdRpgene of Alopexlagopus

Objective  To investigate the genetic variation of astrovirus identified in the kidney of a dead Alopex lagopus in Guangzhou Zoo.

Method  The autopsy was performed on the dead A. lagopus, and the etiology detection of the internal organs was determined by semi-nested RT-PCR. The amplified RdRp gene sequence of the virus strain was used for similarity analysis.

Result  The kidney of the dead A. lagopus were pale, enlarged and the capsule was difficult to be stripped off. The astrovirus RdRp gene in kidney showed positive. The astrovirus RdRp gene had nucleotide similarities of 67.5%−96.2% with nine referenced astrovirus strains from other animals, and was most closely related to the feline astrovirus 2 strain 1637F isolated in Hong Kong (96.2% similarity).

Conclusion  The study enlarges the knowledge of the interspecies transmission of astrovirus among wild mammals, also proves the possibility of extraintestinal infection caused by astrovirus.