Genetic characterization of parvoviruses isolated from biological samples of Arctic foxes and Eurasian wolves

Bc. Johana Hrnková

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This research was conducted in order to asses the possible risks that Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) poses for population of Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus) living in Czech Republic, and to further deepen the knowledge of CPV-2 genetic evolution using any positive samples from Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) located in Greenland and Iceland. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used as a main diagnostic tool for detecting the presence of the virus in biological samples (DNA isolated from faeces). The NS1 (non-structural viral protein) specific primers designed by Hirasawa et al. in 1994 were used. Results of the PCR reaction were evaluated using gel electrophoresis with UV-light detectable colorant Ethidium Bromide (EtBr). Positive samples were afterwards sent for sequenation at sequencing laboratory at Charles University in Prague, and subsequently at State Veterinary Institute in Prague. All of the 124 samples from Eurasian wolves and 31 samples from Arctic foxes from Greenland were found negative. One sample from the 37 samples of Arctic fox from Iceland was found positive. However, after evaluating the sequence results, we have found 100 % homology with our positive control, therefore we have conducted that this sample was contaminated by our positive control, and was not genuinely positive. From these results we can conclude that Eurasian wolf population in Czech Republic has either not yet come into contact with the CPV-2 virus, or is immune against the infection this virus iduces. Therefore no immediate threat posed by CPV-2 to Czech wolf population is currently present. With the Arctic fox samples we have mainly gained the knowledge of health situation of wild fox populations in given countries. Since no such research was conducted before in Iceland or Greenland these primal results are useful as a confirmation of absence of highly pathogenic CPV-2 in wilderness of these countries. More immunological research would be needed to asses the reasons of absence of this virus in the studied populations.

Keywords

wildlife, Carnivore protoparvovirus 1, Parvoviridae, Vulpes lagopus, Canis lupus lupus, Czech Republic, Greenland, Iceland, Canine parvovirus type 2, CPV

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 23. 4. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: RNDr. Jiří Černý, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Animal and Food Sciences in Tropics and Subtropics