Phylogenetic Analysis and Codon Usage Bias Reveal the Base of Feline and Canine Chaphamaparvovirus for Cross-Species Transmission

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Chaphamaparvovirus, a significant genus of the Hamaparvovirinae subfamily of the Parvoviridae family, can infect both dogs and cats. Given the evidence of cross-species transmission observed in canine and feline parvoviruses, it is pertinent to investigate the potential for similar cross-species transmission with Chaphamaparvovirus. This study aimed to investigate the basis for the ability of FeChPV and CaChPV to undergo cross-species transmission by evaluating phylogenetic analysis and codon usage analysis. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between canine and feline chaphamaparvoviruses, and their strong adaptation to dogs and high similarity in codon usage patterns suggests the possibility of unidirectional or bidirectional cross-species transmission between dogs and cats. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and examining the risks associated with cross-species transmission of canine and feline chaphamaparvoviruses. ABSTRACT: Chaphamaparvoviruses (ChPVs) are ancient viruses that have been detected in a variety of hosts. In this study, through a phylogenetic analysis and the adaptability of ChPV to multiple hosts, we evaluated the basis for the ability of feline (FeChPV) and canine ChPV (CaChPV) for cross-species transmission. Phylogenetic analysis showed that FeChPV and CaChPV were closely related. Notably, two strains of ChPVs isolated from domestic cats and two from dogs clustered together with CaChPVs and FeChPVs, respectively, suggesting that the stringent boundaries between canine and feline ChPV may be broken. Further analysis revealed that CaChPV and FeChPV were more adapted to dogs than to cats. Mutation analysis identified several shared mutations in cross-species-transmissible strains. Furthermore, the VP structures of FeChPV and CaChPV exhibited a high degree of similarity across both cross-species-transmissible and non-cross-species-transmissible strains. However, it is crucial to note that these results are largely computational, and limitations exist in terms of the number and diversity of samples analyzed; the capacity for cross-species transmission should be approached with caution and elucidated in further studies.