Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus rates in Prince Edward Island

Abstract

The prevalence of the causative agents of feline upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) has been previously documented in many regions worldwide, but has yet to be reported in eastern Canada. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV),andin a population of shelter cats with clinical signs related to URTD on Prince Edward Island, Canada; to compare the prevalence of FHV-1 and FCV as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation (VI) in this population; and lastly, to determine whether factors, such as co-infections, time of year, concurrent feline leukemia virus (FeLV)- or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-positive status, or clinical signs, were associated with prevalence of particular pathogens. Conjunctival, nasal mucosal, and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 82 cats with clinical signs consistent with URTD. Samples were pooled in transport medium and PCR was used to detect FHV-1, FCV, andand VI was also used to detect FHV-1 and FCV. A separate swab was submitted for aerobic bacterial culture to detectFeline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) was the most prevalent in this population, followed byand FCV. Of the 4 cats that were positive for3 were concurrently positive for FHV-1. All positivecultures were resistant to cefovecin. The prevalence for FHV-1 was lowest in autumn (seasons< 0.001) and was positively associated with the presence of nasal discharge (= 0.018) and coughing (= 0.043).