Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Feline herpesvirus DNA found in skin biopsies of cats
By Holland, Jessica L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of feline herpesvirus 1 DNA in skin biopsy specimens from cats with or without dermatitis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with skin problems were tested for feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) to see if it was causing their dermatitis (skin inflammation). The study found that FHV-1 DNA was present in all samples from cats with herpetic dermatitis, while it was only found in one sample from cats with other types of dermatitis and not at all in cats without skin issues. This suggests that FHV-1 is likely involved in herpetic dermatitis and that a specific test (PCR assay) can help confirm this diagnosis.
People also search for: cat skin problems herpesvirus · cat dermatitis treatment · feline herpesvirus symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare detection rates of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) DNA in skin biopsy specimens from cats with herpetic dermatitis, cats with nonherpetic dermatitis, and cats without dermatitis. DESIGN: Prevalence survey. Animals-5 cats (9 biopsy specimens) with herpetic ulcerative dermatitis, 14 cats (17 biopsy specimens) with nonherpetic ulcerative dermatitis, and 8 cats (21 biopsy specimens) without clinically apparent skin lesions. PROCEDURES: A single-phase PCR assay was used to detect FHV-1 DNA in biopsy specimens. Assay results were compared with results of histologic examination. RESULTS: FHV-1 DNA was detected in all 9 biopsy specimens from the 5 cats with herpetic dermatitis and in 1 of 17 biopsy specimens from the 14 cats with nonherpetic dermatitis, but was not detected in any of the 21 biopsy specimens from the 8 cats without dermatitis. When results of histologic examination were used as the gold standard, sensitivity and specificity of the PCR assay were 100% and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results confirmed that FHV-1 DNA can be detected in the skin of cats with herpetic dermatitis and suggest that the virus may play a causative role in the disease. In addition, the PCR assay may be useful in confirming a diagnosis of herpetic dermatitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17078806/