Prevalence and molecular characterization of feline noroviruses in companion cats from Gwangju, South Korea (2022∼2023)
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Noroviruses are non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses known to cause acute gastroenteritis across a broad range of hosts, including companion animals. This study investigated the prevalence and molecular characteristics of feline norovirus (FNoV) in companion cats with gastrointestinal symptoms in Gwangju, South Korea. Between January 2022 and September 2023, 121 fecal samples were collected from 13 veterinary clinics and tested for FNoV using semi-nested reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene. Of these, 10 samples (8.3%) tested positive, with nine classified as genogroup GIV.2 and one as GVI.2. Two GIV.2 strains obtained from different clinics exhibited 100% nucleotide identity, indicating local circulation. The GVI.2-positive strain showed high sequence similarity to foreign canine noroviruses but lower identity with a previously reported domestic canine strain. This is the first report of both GIV.2 and GVI.2 FNoV genotypes in cats in South Korea. These findings provide baseline molecular data and highlight the need for continued genomic surveillance to better understand the epidemiology and potential cross-species transmission of noroviruses in companion animals.
Abstract
Noroviruses are non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses known to cause acute gastroenteritis across a broad range of hosts, including companion animals. This study investigated the prevalence and molecular characteristics of feline norovirus (FNoV) in companion cats with gastrointestinal symptoms in Gwangju, South Korea. Between January 2022 and September 2023, 121 fecal samples were collected from 13 veterinary clinics and tested for FNoV using semi-nested reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene. Of these, 10 samples (8.3%) tested positive, with nine classified as genogroup GIV.2 and one as GVI.2. Two GIV.2 strains obtained from different clinics exhibited 100% nucleotide identity, indicating local circulation. The GVI.2-positive strain showed high sequence similarity to foreign canine noroviruses but lower identity with a previously reported domestic canine strain. This is the first report of both GIV.2 and GVI.2 FNoV genotypes in cats in South Korea. These findings provide baseline molecular data and highlight the need for continued genomic surveillance to better understand the epidemiology and potential cross-species transmission of noroviruses in companion animals.