Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Test to detect COVID-19 and other cat respiratory infections
By Côme J Thieulent et al.·Published in PLoS ONE·2024·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Development and validation of multiplex one-step qPCR/RT-qPCR assays for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and pathogens associated with feline respiratory disease complex.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats suspected of having respiratory issues was tested for various viruses and bacteria that can cause feline respiratory disease complex (FRDC). The tests showed that a high percentage of these cats had at least one infection, with Mycoplasma felis being the most common pathogen found. The new testing method was able to quickly and accurately identify these infections, including SARS-CoV-2 in two cases. This development can help veterinarians diagnose and treat respiratory diseases in cats more effectively.
People also search for: cat respiratory disease symptoms · how to treat cat flu · SARS-CoV-2 in cats · Mycoplasma felis in cats · feline herpesvirus treatment
Abstract
Feline respiratory disease complex (FRDC) is caused by a wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens. Both Influenza A virus (IAV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) also induce respiratory diseases in cats. Two one-step multiplex qPCR/RT-qPCR assays were developed and validated: FRA_1 (Feline respiratory assay 1) for the detection of four viral targets and FRA_2 for the detection of three bacteria associated with FRDC. Both multiplex assays demonstrated high specificity, efficiency (93.51%-107.8%), linearity (> 0.998), analytical sensitivity (≤ 15 genome copies/μl), repeatability (coefficient of variation [CV] < 5%), and reproducibility (CV < 6%). Among the 63 clinical specimens collected from FRDC-suspected cats, 92.1% were positive for at least one pathogen and co-infection was detected in 57.1% of samples. Mycoplasma felis (61.9%) was the most found pathogen, followed by feline herpesvirus-1 (30.2%), Chlamydia felis (28.7%) and feline calicivirus (27.0%). SARS-CoV-2 was detected in two specimens. In summary, this new panel of qPCR/RT-qPCR assays constitutes a useful and reliable tool for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 and viral and bacterial pathogens associated with FRDC in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297796