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Development of an ELISA for serological detection of feline morbillivirus infection
Kaho Arikawa1, Akiko Wachi1, Yuri Imura1
1Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
Abstract:
Feline morbillivirus (FeMV), a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, is an emerging virus that was discovered in 2012. Despite the importance of FeMV infection in cats because of its postulated involvement in kidney diseases, no simple serological assay has been reported in its detection. Here, FeMV phosphoprotein (P protein) was expressed and purified as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fusion protein and used for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect FeMV-specific antibodies. With a cutoff value determined by immunoblotting, anti-FeMV P protein was detected with this assay in 22 (22%) of the 100 cat plasma samples collected from various regions of Japan. This ELISA is useful for epidemiological and immunological studies, as well as for diagnosis of FeMV infection.
Insights
A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects feline morbillivirus (FeMV) antibodies in cats. This simple assay is valuable for diagnosing FeMV infections and understanding its spread in feline populations.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Feline morbillivirus (FeMV), an emerging virus from the Paramyxoviridae family, was identified in 2012.
- FeMV infection is linked to feline kidney diseases, yet simple diagnostic tests are lacking.
- Accurate detection methods are crucial for understanding FeMV's impact on cat health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a simple serological assay for detecting FeMV-specific antibodies in cats.
- To utilize the FeMV phosphoprotein (P protein) for antibody detection.
- To establish a reliable method for FeMV diagnosis and epidemiological studies.
Main Methods:
- Expression and purification of FeMV phosphoprotein (P protein) as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fusion protein.
- Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the purified FeMV P protein.
- Determination of assay cutoff value using immunoblotting and testing 100 cat plasma samples from Japan.
Main Results:
- The developed ELISA successfully detected FeMV-specific antibodies.
- Anti-FeMV P protein antibodies were identified in 22% (22 out of 100) of the tested cat plasma samples.
- The assay demonstrated utility in identifying FeMV-specific antibodies in a feline population.
Conclusions:
- A novel and simple ELISA has been established for the detection of FeMV-specific antibodies.
- This assay is a valuable tool for epidemiological surveillance of FeMV infections in cats.
- The developed ELISA aids in the diagnosis and immunological study of FeMV in feline populations.
