Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Viral coinfections linked to mouth inflammation in cats
By Jennifer Wenk et al.·Published in Viruses·2025·Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Viral Coinfections Potentially Associated with Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis in Cats with Feline Infectious Peritonitis
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 100 cats diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) were treated with an oral medication called GS-441524. Some of these cats also had other viral infections, including feline calicivirus (FCV), which was linked to a painful mouth condition called feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS). The treatment was very effective, with a 94% success rate, although older cats had a higher chance of treatment failure. Overall, while many cats had viral coinfections, they did not seem to affect the outcome of the FIP treatment significantly.
People also search for: cat FIP treatment · feline calicivirus symptoms · cat gingivostomatitis treatment
Abstract
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal but now treatable disease in cats caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). This study prospectively investigated viral coinfections in 100 cats diagnosed with FIP and subsequently treated with oral GS-441524 (Bova UK) and their influence on outcome, focusing on viruses potentially associated with feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS). Cats were tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus (FHV), feline foamy virus (FFV), and feline gammaherpesvirus (FcaGHV1). Coinfections were identified at the following frequencies: FCV (27), FFV (22), FHV (6), FIV (4), FcaGHV1 (2), and FeLV (2, both progressive infections). FFV infection was significantly associated with FIV (p<sub>F</sub> = 0.0021) and FHV (p<sub>F</sub> = 0.0226) infection. FCGS was present in 25/97 cats with FCV infection being associated with FCGS (pF = 0.0032); no significant associa-tions were found for the other viruses and FCGS. The 42-day oral GS-441524 treatment’s success rate was 94% (five cats died, one relapsed). Coinfections did not significantly influence disease severity or treatment outcome, although the low number of cases for some pathogens warrants further investigation. However, advanced age was associated with treatment failure, potentially due to delayed diagnosis as FIP is considered to be less common in older individuals, or to age-related changes in immune function. In summary, viral coinfections, particularly with FCV, were common and should be considered in the clinical and hygienic management of cats with FIP.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111505