Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to test cats for feline herpes virus and eye infections
By Sjödahl-Essén, Titti et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2008·Albano Small Animal Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of different sampling methods and results of real-time PCR for detection of feline herpes virus-1, Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma felis in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 51 cats, including 24 with eye problems, were tested for feline herpes virus (FHV-1), Chlamydophila felis, and Mycoplasma felis using different sampling methods. The tests showed that FHV-1 was found in only one cat, and neither Chlamydophila nor Mycoplasma were detected in any of the cats. While feline DNA was present in most samples taken from the affected cats, the overall low detection rates of the viruses suggest they are not common in this group. This means that the sampling methods did not significantly affect the results, and the viruses may not be a major concern for these cats.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate how different sampling techniques affect detection of DNA from feline herpes virus Type 1 (FHV-1), Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma felis and to study the correlation between positive test results and clinical signs in cats. ANIMALS: Fifty-one cats; 24 with ocular signs and 27 healthy control cats. PROCEDURES: Samples were collected from all cats using cotton swabs, conjunctival and corneal biopsies, and corneal scrapings. Samples were analyzed for presence of FHV-1, C. felis, M. felis, and feline DNA, defined by 28S rDNA, by using real-time PCR. RESULTS: In affected cats, FHV-1 was detected in only one cat; C. felis and M. felis were not detected in any affected cats. None of the three organisms was detected in any control cats. Feline DNA was demonstrated in all conjunctival samples, in 82% of corneal swabs, 92% of corneal scrapings, and 100% of keratectomy samples. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the generally low detection rate for FHV-1, C. felis, and M. felis DNA in this study, differences regarding sampling technique could not be determined and correlation between positive test results and degree of clinical signs could not be made. Detection of feline DNA in most samples irrespective of sampling technique, suggests a low prevalence of FHV-1, C. felis and M. felis in this population of cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19046278/