Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Feline herpesvirus 1 and feline calicivirus infections in a heterogeneous cat population of a rescue shelter.
- Journal:
- Journal of feline medicine and surgery
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Zicola, Angélique et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
In a study conducted at a rescue shelter in Liège, Belgium, researchers looked at the presence of two common viruses that cause upper respiratory issues in cats: feline herpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). They found that FCV was more common, affecting about 33% of the cats, while FeHV-1 affected around 20%. Cats with FCV were generally older, averaging about 38 months, and they were more likely to have gum disease, while those with FeHV-1 showed more respiratory symptoms. The study highlighted that certain times of the year posed a higher risk for these infections, and it emphasized the need for good hygiene and preventive care in shelters where cats may not have known vaccination histories. Overall, the findings suggest that both viruses are prevalent in this population, indicating a need for better preventive measures.
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), associated with upper respiratory tract disease, are highly prevalent in cats worldwide. With the aim to investigate the importance of feline respiratory viruses in a heterogeneous population of cats, samples were taken in a rescue shelter in Liège, Belgium, between March 2005 and August 2006. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to diagnose FCV and FeHV-1 infection in the sampled cats. The prevalence rate (33.1%) was higher for FCV than for FeHV-1 (20.1%) whereas prevalence rate of co-infection with both viruses was 10%. Gingivitis was more common in FCV infections (odds ratio (OR)=2.83) whereas respiratory signs were more often observed with FeHV-1 infections. The average age was significantly higher in FCV positive cats (38 months) than in FeHV-1 positive cats (29.9 months). The second and the fourth quarters of the year and the two first quarters were significantly more at risk than the others in the case of FeHV-1 and FCV infection, respectively. Age was found to be a confounding factor. High prevalence of both infections strengthens the importance of applying hygienic and preventive measures in rescue shelters where cats with an unknown status of vaccination are introduced.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19577497/