High prevalence of Lynx rufus gammaherpesvirus 1 in wild Vermont bobcats

摘要: Gammaherpesviruses (GHVs) are host specific DNA viruses that infect a large range of mammalian species. These preferentially target lymphocyte cell populations and infection may lead to morbidity or mortality in immunocompromised, co-infected, non-adapted hosts. In this study, we tested for the presence Lynx rufus gammaherpesvirus 1 (LruGHV1) northeastern United States population wild bobcats (L. rufus). We estimated prevalence viral load infected individuals using quantitative real-time PCR analysis spleen from 64 Vermont bobcats. observed an overall 64% methodology. Bobcat age was significantly positively associated with GHV status, noted trend higher loads young animals, but were similar male female A single LruGHV1 variant identified sequencing glycoprotein B gene This sequence 100% reported Florida slightly other isolates Western USA. Our work suggests broad geographic distribution high bobcat across attributes suggest horizontal transmission agent. Geographic differences genotype reflect historical migration expansion events among populations.