Abstract:
Feline immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus of domestic cats that causes immunosuppressive
disease and lifelong infection. Lentivirus has also been detected in African
lions (Panthera leo). The lentivirus infecting lions in southern Africa has never been isolated;
thus, knowledge about its molecular characteristics in these populations is limited. Our
investigation used whole blood samples collected opportunistically from free-ranging
southern African lions in Kruger National Park, South Africa, and from Hlane Royal National
Park in Swaziland to analyse the lentivirus. Whole blood samples from captive exotic felids
fromzoos in South Africa and the United States,and fromdomestic cats in South Africa were
analysed for comparison. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to
amplify a portion of the proviral DNA encoding the reverse transcriptase. The nucleotide
sequence of all products was determined and examined. The PCR assay was successful in
amplifying lion lentivirus, with 52 positive and 65 negative samples. Of the 34 sequences
amplified from a variety of felids, six showed an average of 96% homology to domestic feline
lentivirus, and 28 showed an average of 94% homology to lion lentivirus. In addition, domestic
cat lentivirus nucleic acid was amplified from a captive tiger, demonstrating the possibility
of cross-species transmission.
