Feline chaphamaparvovirus (feline fechavirus) in different cat populations

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate feline chaphamaparvovirus (FeChPV, previously referred to as feline fechavirus) in different cat populations. Methods Feces or vomit were collected from a convenience sample of cats in facilities undergoing clusters of undifferentiated vomiting and diarrhea, along with a single animal shelter that was not experiencing a detectable change in disease. Samples were tested for FeChPV using PCR. Results Fecal (n = 127) and vomitus (n = 9) samples were obtained from 136 cats: 65 from cats at an animal shelter without any apparent increase in gastrointestinal disease (shelter A); 25 from three animal shelters (shelters B–D) with clusters of undifferentiated acute onset of vomiting and diarrhea; and 46 from a research colony that had a recent outbreak of gastrointestinal disease. FeChPV was identified in 30/136 (22%) samples: 8/65 (12%) of cats from shelter A; 1/9 (11%) from shelter B; 2/8 (25%) from shelter C; 7/8 (88%) from shelter D; and 12/46 (26%) cats from the research colony. Among the samples from shelter A, the shelter with no identified abnormal gastrointestinal disease, FeChPV DNA was identified in the feces of 5/52 (9.6%) non-diarrheic (fecal score <4) and 3/13 (23%) diarrheic cats ( P = 0.19). Overall, FeChPV was found in 14/43 (33%) diarrheic and 16/93 (17%) healthy cats ( P = 0.07). Facility was the only variable that was significant on multivariable analysis, with the odds of PCR positivity being 5.7 times higher in shelter D compared with other facilities (95% confidence interval 2.3–25; P <0.0001). Conclusions and relevance FeChPV was commonly found in a shelter experiencing acute gastrointestinal disease but was also found in healthy cats and in facilities with no apparent increase in disease. The role of this virus in feline gastrointestinal disease and facility outbreaks is unclear.