Phylogenetic analysis of a new Cetacean morbillivirus from a short-finned pilot whale stranded in the Canary Islands
Investigation published in Research in Veterinary Science
April 1st, 2011
Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is considered the most pathogenic virus in cetaceans. Three strains have been already described: the dolphin morbillivirus (DMV), the porpoise morbillivirus (PMV) and the tentatively named pilot whale morbillivirus (PWMV). This study describes the molecular characterization of a strain of CeMV detected in the brain of a short-finned pilot whale that had stranded in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean around the Canary Islands and that showed lesions compatible with morbilliviral disease. Sequences for the nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, fusion protein and haemagglutinin genes were obtained. The phylogenetic study showed high homology (97%) with the PWMV strain previously detected from a long-finned pilot whale stranded in the Western Atlantic Ocean. These results support the existing classification of CeMV into three principal genetic clusters. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Belliere EN., Esperon F., Fernandez A., Arbelo M., Munoz MJ. and Sanchez-Vizcaino JM..
Servicio de Inmunología Viral y Medicina Preventiva (SUAT). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). | |
Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). | |
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA). Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. | |
Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA). Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). | |