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DAO 158:55-64 (2024)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03784

Molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses along the coast of mainland Portugal

Diana Vieira Jorge1,*, Marisa Ferreira2, Catarina Eira2,3, Margarida Duarte1,4, Fernanda Ramos4, Teresa Fagulha4, Silvia Barros4, Margarida Mourão4, Tiago Luis4, Maria Carolina Bento5, Ana Duarte1,4

1Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
2Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem, Estação de Campo de Quiaios, Apt 16 EC Quiaios, 3081-101 Figueira da Foz, Portugal
3Departamento de Biologia, CESAM & Ecomare, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
4Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Avenida da República, Quinta do Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
5CIVG - Vasco da Gama Research Center/EUVG - Vasco da Gama University School, Campus Universitário de Lordemão, Av. José R. Sousa Fernandes, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Cetacean poxvirus (CePV) is the causative agent of tattoo skin disease (TSD) in dolphins, porpoises and whales, a condition characterized by pinhole, ring-like lesions or generalized tattoo-like skin lesions. This study genetically characterized cetacean poxviruses from stranded animals along mainland Portugal. Samples from skin lesions compatible with TSD were obtained from 4 odontocete species (Delphinus delphis, Stenella coeruleoalba, Phocoena phocoena, and Tursiops truncatus) and analyzed using a conventional PCR assay targeting the DNA polymerase gene partially. Among the positive samples (n = 29, 65.9%), a larger DNA polymerase gene fragment was obtained, allowing a robust phylogenetic analysis. Nineteen samples (43.2%) were successfully amplified and sequenced using Sanger sequencing. By combining 11 of these sequences with those from public databases, a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed, revealing high heterogeneity within the group. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity, epidemiology, phylogenetics, and evolution of CePV.


KEY WORDS: Cetacean poxvirus · PCR · Environmental monitoring · Molecular phylogenetic analysis · Odontocetes


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Cite this article as: Jorge DV, Ferreira M, Eira C, Duarte M and others (2024) Molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses along the coast of mainland Portugal. Dis Aquat Org 158:55-64. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03784

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