Feline calicivirus

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1. Classification

a. Higher order taxa

Domain: Viruses; Phylum: Pisuviricota; Class: Pisoniviricetes; Order: Picornavirales; Family: Caliciviridae(NCBI); Genus: Feline calicivirus

2. Description and significance

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a virus found within the Caliciviridae family, which was first discovered in 1957. It is a highly contagious virus that causes mild to severe respiratory infection, nasal congestion, oral ulcerations, fever, and virulent systemic disease amongst other symptoms in cats (1). FCV is usually detected using nasal swabs and RT-PCR but testing cannot distinguish between the many different strains of the virus (1). There are currently no treatments available and the best option is prevention via a FCV vaccine, which found FCV-suspect cats to be found significantly less often FCV-positive (1).

The study of FCV allows researchers to get insight into the mechanisms in which similar viruses infect human hosts and the ways infection can be prevented. FCV shares similarities in genomic organization, characteristics, and family with the Norwalk virus, a virus that causes acute gastroenteritis in humans (2). FCV is also relatively easy to culture in the lab, thus making it a good model for research on the Norwalk virus and potentially the treatment and prevention of gastroenteritis in human populations afflicted by it (2).

3. Genome structure

The genome of Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a single strand of positive-sense RNA (4). The genome contains 7600 bases and three open reading frames (ORFs), or regions of the genome that encode functional proteins (4). ORF1, the ORF that is closest to the 5’ end of the RNA strand, codes for a polyprotein that contains the viral protease and other non-structural proteins that are used for replication and transcription. ORF 2 and 3, located in a sub-genomic viral mRNA, code for the viral structural proteins VP1 and VP2, respectively, that assemble into virus-like particles when FCV successfully infects a host cell (4).

4. Cell structure

Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”

5. Metabolic processes

Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).

6. Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

7. Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

8. Current Research

Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose

9. References

It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.