An outbreak of canine coronavirus type 2 in captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia) demonstrates a possible role for felids as mixing vessels for alphacoronaviruses

Objectives

Alphacoronavirus-1 comprises a set of viruses that are highly recombinogenic, including feline coronavirus (FCoV) type 2 (FCoV-2), a recombinant genotype of FCoV type 1, and canine coronavirus type 2 (CCoV-2). To understand the origin of novel recombinant variants, it is crucial to identify hosts susceptible to multiple alphacoronaviruses. The receptor for FCoV-2 and CCoV-2 is aminopeptidase N (APN), with the APN of the domestic cat allowing entry of FCoV-2 and CCoV-2. However, natural infection with CCoV-2 has been reported exclusively in canids.

Methods

We investigated an outbreak of CCoV-2 in captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia). We assessed the genetic diversity of the APN of five wild Asian felid species to evaluate their susceptibility to CCoV-2 and FCoV-2.

Results

The whole genome of CCoV-2 was sequenced from the feces of the snow leopards. It is closely related to pathogenic variants reported in domestic dogs in the United States and Europe. The APN of the wild felids is highly similar to the APN of the domestic cat.

Conclusions

This study provides the first genetic evidence of CCoV-2 infection in a felid and predicts that wild felids may be susceptible to FCoV-2 and CCoV-2. Therefore, felids may play a central role in the emergence of recombinant alphacoronavirus.