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Nájera F, López G, Del Rey-Wamba T, Malik RA, Garrote G, López-Parra M, Fernández-Pena L, García-Tardío M, Arenas-Rojas R, Simón MA, Zorrilla I, Fernández I, Alcaide EM, Ruiz C, Revuelta L, Salcedo J, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Meli ML. Long-term surveillance of the feline leukemia virus in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia, Spain (2008-2021). Sci Rep 2024; 14:5462. [PMID: 38443503 PMCID: PMC10914683 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55847-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection is considered one of the most serious disease threats for the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) Over 14 years (2008-2021), we investigated FeLV infection using point-of-care antigen test and quantitative real-time TaqMan qPCR for provirus detection in blood and tissues in lynxes from Andalusia (Southern Spain). A total of 776 samples from 586 individuals were included in this study. The overall prevalence for FeLV antigen in blood/serum samples was 1.4% (5/360) (95% CI: 0.2-2.6), FeLV proviral DNA prevalence in blood samples was 6.2% (31/503) (95% CI: 4.1-8.6), and FeLV proviral DNA in tissues samples was 10.2% (34/333) (95% CI: 7-13.5). From a subset of 129 longitudinally sampled individuals, 9.3% (12/129) PCR-converted during the study period. Our results suggest that FeLV infection in the Andalusian population is enzootic, with circulation of the virus at low levels in almost all the sampling years. Moreover, since only one viremic individual succumbed to the infection, this study suggests that lynxes may therefore control the infection decreasing the possibility of developing a more aggressive outcome. Although our results indicate that the FeLV infection in the Iberian lynx from Andalusia tends to stay within the regressive stage, continuous FeLV surveillance is paramount to predict potential outbreaks and ensure the survival of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Nájera
- Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain.
| | - Guillermo López
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain.
| | - Tere Del Rey-Wamba
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Rimsha A Malik
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Germán Garrote
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Marcos López-Parra
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Leonardo Fernández-Pena
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Maribel García-Tardío
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Rafael Arenas-Rojas
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel A Simón
- Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul, avda. Manuel Siurot, nº 50, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Irene Zorrilla
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Isabel Fernández
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Eva M Alcaide
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen Ruiz
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/ Johan G. Gutenberg 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Luis Revuelta
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Salcedo
- Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul, avda. Manuel Siurot, nº 50, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Drozd M, Ritter JM, Samuelson JP, Parker M, Wang L, Sander SJ, Yoshicedo J, Wright L, Odani J, Shrader T, Lee E, Lockhart SR, Ghai RR, Terio KA. Mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 in nondomestic felids. Vet Pathol 2024:3009858231225500. [PMID: 38323378 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231225500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Between September and November 2021, 5 snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and 1 lion (Panthera leo) were naturally infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and developed progressive respiratory disease that resulted in death. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 sequencing identified the delta variant in all cases sequenced, which was the predominant human variant at that time. The time between initial clinical signs and death ranged from 3 to 45 days. Gross lesions in all 6 cats included nasal turbinate hyperemia with purulent discharge and marked pulmonary edema. Ulcerative tracheitis and bronchitis were noted in 4 cases. Histologically, there was necrotizing and ulcerative rhinotracheitis and bronchitis with fibrinocellular exudates and fibrinosuppurative to pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia. The 4 cats that survived longer than 8 days had fungal abscesses. Concurrent bacteria were noted in 4 cases, including those with more acute disease courses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected by in situ hybridization using probes against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid genes and by immunohistochemistry. Viral nucleic acid and protein were variably localized to mucosal and glandular epithelial cells, pneumocytes, macrophages, and fibrinocellular debris. Based on established criteria, SARS-CoV-2 was considered a contributing cause of death in all 6 cats. While mild clinical infections are more common, these findings suggest that some SARS-CoV-2 variants may cause more severe disease and that snow leopards may be more severely affected than other felids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Drozd
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Jana M Ritter
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | | | | | - Leyi Wang
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | | | | | - Louden Wright
- Great Plain Zoo, Sioux Falls, SD
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Nashville, TN
| | - Jenee Odani
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI
| | | | - Elizabeth Lee
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Ria R Ghai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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3
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Drozd M, Ritter JM, Samuelson JP, Parker M, Wang L, Sander SJ, Yoshicedo J, Wright L, Odani J, Shrader T, Lee E, Lockhart SR, Ghai RR, Terio KA. Mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 in nondomestic felids. Vet Pathol 2024. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1177/03009858231225500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Between September and November 2021, 5 snow leopards ( Panthera uncia) and 1 lion ( Panthera leo) were naturally infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and developed progressive respiratory disease that resulted in death. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 sequencing identified the delta variant in all cases sequenced, which was the predominant human variant at that time. The time between initial clinical signs and death ranged from 3 to 45 days. Gross lesions in all 6 cats included nasal turbinate hyperemia with purulent discharge and marked pulmonary edema. Ulcerative tracheitis and bronchitis were noted in 4 cases. Histologically, there was necrotizing and ulcerative rhinotracheitis and bronchitis with fibrinocellular exudates and fibrinosuppurative to pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia. The 4 cats that survived longer than 8 days had fungal abscesses. Concurrent bacteria were noted in 4 cases, including those with more acute disease courses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected by in situ hybridization using probes against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid genes and by immunohistochemistry. Viral nucleic acid and protein were variably localized to mucosal and glandular epithelial cells, pneumocytes, macrophages, and fibrinocellular debris. Based on established criteria, SARS-CoV-2 was considered a contributing cause of death in all 6 cats. While mild clinical infections are more common, these findings suggest that some SARS-CoV-2 variants may cause more severe disease and that snow leopards may be more severely affected than other felids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Drozd
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | | | | | | | - Leyi Wang
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | | | | | - Louden Wright
- Great Plain Zoo, Sioux Falls, SD
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Nashville, TN
| | - Jenee Odani
- University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI
| | | | - Elizabeth Lee
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Ria R. Ghai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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4
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Capozza P, Pellegrini F, Camero M, Diakoudi G, Omar AH, Salvaggiulo A, Decaro N, Elia G, Catucci L, Di Martino B, Fruci P, Tomassini L, Lepri E, Martella V, Lanave G. Hepadnavirus Infection in a Cat with Chronic Liver Disease: A Multi-Disciplinary Diagnostic Approach. Vet Sci 2023; 10:668. [PMID: 38133220 PMCID: PMC10747313 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10120668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A 3-year-old female stray, shorthair cat, with clinical signs and serum chemistry markers indicative of hepatic disease, was diagnosed with domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) infection. Coupling molecular and serological data, the infection was seemingly contextualized into a chronic phase, since IgM anti-core antibodies, a marker of early-stage Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, were not detected. However, the cat possessed IgG anti-core, a common indicator of chronic HBV infection in human patients and did not show seroconversion to the anti-DCH surface antigen, considered protective during HBV infection and associated with long-term protective immunity. On genome sequencing, the DCH strain showed 98.3% nucleotide identity to strains previously identified in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Capozza
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Francesco Pellegrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Georgia Diakoudi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Ahmed Hassan Omar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Anna Salvaggiulo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Gabriella Elia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | | | - Barbara Di Martino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (B.D.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Paola Fruci
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (B.D.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Letizia Tomassini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Elvio Lepri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (G.D.); (A.H.O.); (A.S.); (N.D.); (G.E.); (G.L.)
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5
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Synowiec A, Dąbrowska A, Pachota M, Baouche M, Owczarek K, Niżański W, Pyrc K. Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) enters the cell by receptor-mediated endocytosis. J Virol 2023; 97:e0068123. [PMID: 37493545 PMCID: PMC10506464 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00681-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) is an enveloped dsDNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family and is considered one of the two primary viral etiological factors of feline upper respiratory tract disease. In this study, we investigated the entry of FHV-1 into host cells using two models: the AK-D cell line and primary feline skin fibroblasts (FSFs). We employed confocal microscopy, siRNA silencing, and selective inhibitors of various entry pathways. Our observations revealed that the virus enters cells via pH and dynamin-dependent endocytosis, as the infection was significantly inhibited by NH4Cl, bafilomycin A1, dynasore, and mitmab. Additionally, genistein, nystatin, and filipin treatments, siRNA knock-down of caveolin-1, as well as FHV-1 and caveolin-1 colocalization suggest the involvement of caveolin-mediated endocytosis during the entry process. siRNA knock-down of clathrin heavy chain and analysis of virus particle colocalization with clathrin indicated that clathrin-mediated endocytosis also takes part in the primary cells. This is the first study to systematically examine FHV-1 entry into host cells, and for the first time, we describe FHV-1 replication in AK-D and FSFs. IMPORTANCE Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) is one of the most prevalent viruses in cats, causing feline viral rhinotracheitis, which is responsible for over half of viral upper respiratory diseases in cats and can lead to ocular lesions resulting in loss of sight. Although the available vaccine reduces the severity of the disease, it does not prevent infection or limit virus shedding. Despite the clinical relevance, the entry mechanisms of FHV-1 have not been thoroughly studied. Considering the limitations of commonly used models based on immortalized cells, we sought to verify our findings using primary feline skin fibroblasts, the natural target for infection in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Synowiec
- ViroGenetics - BSL3 Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dąbrowska
- ViroGenetics - BSL3 Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Pachota
- ViroGenetics - BSL3 Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Meriem Baouche
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, University of Environmental Science, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Owczarek
- ViroGenetics - BSL3 Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, University of Environmental Science, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- ViroGenetics - BSL3 Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Lanave G, Buonavoglia A, Pellegrini F, Di Martino B, Di Profio F, Diakoudi G, Catella C, Omar AH, Vasinioti VI, Cardone R, Santo G, Martella V, Camero M. An Outbreak of Limping Syndrome Associated with Feline Calicivirus. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1778. [PMID: 37889723 PMCID: PMC10251824 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral pathogen found in domestic cats. FCV is highly contagious and demonstrates a high genetic variability. Upper respiratory tract disease, oral ulcerations, salivation, and gingivitis-stomatitis have been regarded as typical clinical signs of FCV infection. Ulcerative dermatitis, abortion, severe pneumonia, enteritis, chronic stomatitis, and virulent systemic disease have been reported more sporadically. Limping syndrome has been also described either in naturally or experimentally FCV-infected cats. In this study, we monitored a small outbreak of FCV infection in two household cats, in which limping disease was monitored with a 12-day lag time. The complete genome sequence was determined for the viruses isolated from the oropharyngeal and rectal swabs of the two animals, mapping up to 39 synonymous nucleotide mutations. The four isolates were sensitive to low pH conditions and trypsin treatment, a pattern usually associated with viruses isolated from the upper respiratory tract. Overall, the asynchronous pattern of infections and the results of genome sequencing suggest that a virus of respiratory origin was transmitted between the animals and that the FCV strain was able to retain the limping disease pathotype during the transmission chain, as previously observed in experimental studies with FCV strains associated with lameness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Alessio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesco Pellegrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Barbara Di Martino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (B.D.M.); (F.D.P.)
| | - Federica Di Profio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (B.D.M.); (F.D.P.)
| | - Georgia Diakoudi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Cristiana Catella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Ahmed H. Omar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Violetta I. Vasinioti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Roberta Cardone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | | | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.H.O.); (V.I.V.); (R.C.); (V.M.); (M.C.)
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7
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Tang A, Zhu M, Zhu J, Zhang D, Zhu S, Wang X, Meng C, Li C, Liu G. Pathogenicity and immunogenicity of gI/gE/TK-gene-deleted Felid herpesvirus 1 variants in cats. Virol J 2023; 20:87. [PMID: 37143065 PMCID: PMC10157573 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02053-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Felid herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) is a major pathogenic agent of upper respiratory tract infections and eye damage in felines worldwide. Current FHV-1 vaccines offer limited protection of short duration, and therefore, do not reduce the development of clinical signs or the latency of FHV-1. METHODS To address these shortcomings, we constructed FHV ∆gIgE-eGFP, FHV ∆TK mCherry, and FHV ∆gIgE/TK eGFP-mCherry deletion mutants (ΔgI/gE, ΔTK, and ΔgIgE/TK, respectively) using the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISP-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system (CRISPR/Cas9), which showed safety and immunogenicity in vitro. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the deletion mutants administered with intranasal (IN) and IN + subcutaneous (SC) vaccination protocols. Cats in the vaccination group were vaccinated twice at a 4-week interval, and all cats were challenged with infection 3 weeks after the last vaccination. The cats were assessed for clinical signs, nasal shedding, and virus-neutralizing antibodies (VN), and with postmortem histological testing. RESULTS Vaccination with the gI/gE-deleted and gI/gE/TK-deleted mutants was safe and resulted in significantly lower clinical disease scores, fewer pathological changes, and less nasal virus shedding after infection. All three mutants induced virus-neutralizing antibodies after immunization. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study demonstrates the advantages of FHV-1 deletion mutants in preventing FHV-1 infection in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoxing Tang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Da Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shiqiang Zhu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chunchun Meng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chuangfeng Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Guangqing Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, 200241, China.
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8
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Lee Y, Berríos-Vázquez G, Maes RK, Kiupel M, Desmarets LMB, Nauwynck HJ, Soboll Hussey G. Development of immortalized feline respiratory epithelial cells in an air-liquid-interface culture system for feline herpesvirus-1 study. Virus Res 2023; 326:199063. [PMID: 36738933 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is responsible for approximately 50% of diagnosed viral upper respiratory tract disease in cats. The virus infects and replicates in the epithelial cells located in upper respiratory tract. Commercial vaccines do not protect cats from the infection itself or development of latency. Previously, our lab developed a cell culture model using primary feline respiratory epithelial cells (pFRECs) to study respiratory innate immunity to FHV-1 and FHV-1 deletion mutants. However, the numbers of pFRECs that can be obtained per cat is limited. To improve the usage of respiratory epithelial 3D cultures in FHV-1 research, the present study immortalized feline respiratory epithelial cells (iFRECs) and characterized them morphologically and immunologically and evaluated the response to FHV-1 infection. Immortalization was achieved by transduction with Lenti-SV40T and Lenti-HPV E6/E7. Immortalized FRECs could be successfully subcultured for >20 passages, with positive gene expression of SV40T and HPV E6/E7. Immortalized FRECs expressed similar innate immunity-associated genes compared to pFRECs, including genes of Toll-like receptors (TLR1-9), interferon induced genes (OAS1, OAS3, IFI44, IFITM1, IFIT1), chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CXCL8), pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, and IL-18), and antimicrobials (DEFβ10, DEFβ4B). Finally, FHV-1 inoculation resulted in characteristic cytopathic effects starting at 24 hpi, with more than 80% cells detached and lysed by 72 hpi. Overall FHV-1 growth kinetics in iFRECs resembled the kinetics observed in pFRECs. In conclusion, we demonstrated that iFRECs are a useful tool to study feline respiratory disease including but not limited to FHV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lee
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Glorián Berríos-Vázquez
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
| | - Roger K Maes
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, United States
| | - Matti Kiupel
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, United States
| | - Lowiese M B Desmarets
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Hans J Nauwynck
- Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
| | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
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9
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Lewin AC, Hicks SK, Carter RT. A review of evidence-based management of infectious ocular surface disease in shelter-housed domestic cats. Vet Ophthalmol 2023; 26 Suppl 1:47-58. [PMID: 36749144 DOI: 10.1111/vop.13063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Infectious ocular surface disease (IOSD) is a common problem in shelter-housed domestic cats and has a widespread negative impact on animal welfare. While the common etiological agents are well-described, addressing IOSD in large groups of animals presents a management challenge to the clinician and logistical challenges to shelter employees. Treatments, diagnostics, and prevention strategies that are effective in privately owned or experimental animals may be impractical or ineffective in the shelter environment. This review article focuses on the relative prevalence of etiological agents in feline IOSD, practical diagnostic testing protocols, prevention strategies, and treatment of IOSD in shelter-housed cats. Discrepancies between experimental laboratory-based studies and clinical trials assessing therapeutics for treatment of feline herpes virus are highlighted. Further high-quality clinical trials are necessary to determine optimal preventative and therapeutic protocols for IOSD in shelter-housed cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Lewin
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Sarah K Hicks
- Shelter Medicine Program University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Renee T Carter
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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10
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Magouz A, Lokman MS, Albrakati A, Elmahallawy EK. First Report of Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Felid Herpesvirus-1 from Symptomatic Domestic Cats in Egypt. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020081. [PMID: 35202334 PMCID: PMC8874770 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) is one of the main causes of upper respiratory tract infection in cats. Despite its veterinary importance, no previous studies investigated the occurrence of this virus in Egypt. In the present work, a total number of one hundred forty (N = 140) conjunctival and/or oropharyngeal swabs were collected from symptomatic cats during veterinary clinic visits located in two Egyptian provinces. Virus isolation was performed in the Chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of 12-days-old SPF eggs. Interestingly, the embryos showed stunting growth and abnormal feathering and infected CAMs showed edematous thickening and cloudiness with characteristic white opaque pock lesions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the thymidine kinase gene (TK) was successful in 16/140 (11.4%) of the suspected cases. Two of the amplified genes were sequenced and the TK gene sequences of the FHV-1 isolates were highly similar to other reference strains in the GenBank database. Given the above information, the present study represents the first report of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) in domestic cats in Egypt. Further studies on the causes of upper respiratory tract infections in cats as well as vaccine efficacy are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Magouz
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (E.K.E.)
| | - Maha S. Lokman
- Biology Department, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Albrakati
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (E.K.E.)
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11
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Arteaga K, Aftab G, Rajaei SM, Faghihi H, Crasta M. Comparison of conjunctival microbiota of clinically normal Persian cats with and without nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Vet Ophthalmol 2021; 24:455-459. [PMID: 34402572 DOI: 10.1111/vop.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was performed to determine the conjunctival microbiota of Persian cats with and without nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). ANIMALS STUDIED Twenty-five Persian cats: 15 with bilateral NLDO (Group A) and 10 with no NLDO (Group B). PROCEDURES All fifty eyes were assessed. Sterile swab applicators were used for the collection of specimens, which were cultured. PCR was performed on conjunctival swab and blood samples for the detection of Mycoplasma spp. and feline herpesvirus 1(FHV-1), respectively. RESULTS FHV-1 was detected in two cats in Group A. Twelve eyes from Group A and four from Group B were Mycoplasma spp. positive based on the PCR results. Moreover, fungal culture was positive in six eyes from Group A and three eyes from Group B. The dominant fungus isolated was Aspergillus spp. (6 out of 11 fungal isolates). Other isolated fungi were Alternaria spp. and Cladosporidium spp. Twenty-three eyes had positive bacterial culture in Group A, while twelve eyes were positive in Group B. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis (15 out of 38 bacterial isolates). β-hemolytic Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in similar proportions in both groups. Escherichia coli was also present in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study revealed same isolated fungal and bacterial spp. and in similar proportions in Persian cats with and without NLDO.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ghazal Aftab
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Rajaei
- Ophthalmology section, Negah Veterinary Centre, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran
| | - Houman Faghihi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.,Ophthalmology section, Negah Veterinary Centre, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Klaus J, Palizzotto C, Zini E, Meli ML, Leo C, Egberink H, Zhao S, Hofmann-Lehmann R. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Antibody Response in a Symptomatic Cat from Italy with Intestinal B-Cell Lymphoma. Viruses 2021; 13:527. [PMID: 33806922 PMCID: PMC8004793 DOI: 10.3390/v13030527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was first identified in early 2020, rare cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pet cats have been reported worldwide. Some reports of cats with SARS-CoV-2 showed self-limiting respiratory or gastrointestinal disease after suspected human-to-feline transmission via close contact with humans with SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we investigated a cat with SARS-CoV-2 that was presented to a private animal clinic in Northern Italy in May 2020 in a weak clinical condition due to an underlying intestinal B-cell lymphoma. The cat developed signs of respiratory tract disease, including a sneeze, a cough and ocular discharge, three days after an oropharyngeal swab tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA using two real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays for the envelope (E) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detectable prior to the onset of clinical signs. Five and six months after positive molecular results, the serological testing substantiated the presence of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the cat with the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies and neutralizing activity in a surrogate virus neutralization assay (sVNT). To the best of our knowledge, this extends the known duration of seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 in a cat. Our study provides further evidence that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 under natural conditions and strengthens the assumption that comorbidities may play a role in the development of clinical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Klaus
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Carlo Palizzotto
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello, Novara, Italy; (E.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Eric Zini
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello, Novara, Italy; (E.Z.); (C.L.)
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Chiara Leo
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello, Novara, Italy; (E.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Herman Egberink
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (S.Z.)
| | - Shan Zhao
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (S.Z.)
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
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13
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Klaus J, Meli ML, Willi B, Nadeau S, Beisel C, Stadler T, Egberink H, Zhao S, Lutz H, Riond B, Rösinger N, Stalder H, Renzullo S, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Detection and Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in a Domestic Cat with Respiratory Signs in Switzerland. Viruses 2021; 13:496. [PMID: 33802899 PMCID: PMC8002591 DOI: 10.3390/v13030496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in late 2019, domestic cats have been demonstrated to be susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) under natural and experimental conditions. As pet cats often live in very close contact with their owners, it is essential to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats in a One-Health context. This study reports the first SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cat in a COVID-19-affected household in Switzerland. The cat (Cat 1) demonstrated signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, including sneezing, inappetence, and apathy, while the cohabiting cat (Cat 2) remained asymptomatic. Nasal, oral, fecal, fur, and environmental swab samples were collected twice from both cats and analyzed by RT-qPCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Both nasal swabs from Cat 1 tested positive. In addition, the first oral swab from Cat 2 and fur and bedding swabs from both cats were RT-qPCR positive. The fecal swabs tested negative. The infection of Cat 1 was confirmed by positive SARS-CoV-2 S1 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody testing and neutralizing activity in a surrogate assay. The viral genome sequence from Cat 1, obtained by next generation sequencing, showed the closest relation to a human sequence from the B.1.1.39 lineage, with one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) difference. This study demonstrates not only SARS-CoV-2 infection of a cat from a COVID-19-affected household but also contamination of the cats' fur and bed with viral RNA. Our results are important to create awareness that SARS-CoV-2 infected people should observe hygienic measures to avoid infection and contamination of animal cohabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Klaus
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Barbara Willi
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.W.); (N.R.)
| | - Sarah Nadeau
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.N.); (C.B.); (T.S.)
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Beisel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.N.); (C.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Tanja Stadler
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.N.); (C.B.); (T.S.)
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Herman Egberink
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (S.Z.)
| | - Shan Zhao
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (S.Z.)
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Barbara Riond
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Nina Rösinger
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.W.); (N.R.)
| | - Hanspeter Stalder
- Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland; (H.S.); (S.R.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Renzullo
- Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland; (H.S.); (S.R.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
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14
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Mohammadpour M, Alizadeh L, Jabbarvand Behrouz M, Khorrami-Nejad M. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis in herpes simplex virus keratitis with and without epithelial involvement. Int Ophthalmol 2021; 41:1807-1813. [PMID: 33630251 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01741-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis in herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis with and without epithelial involvement. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed on 70 patients with different HSV types and an active ocular lesion in Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. From these 70 patients, 171 samples were collected, including seventy tear samples and 33 scraping samples from involved eyes; and 68 samples from uninvolved fellow eyes. Samples were frozen at - 70 °C until DNA extraction was performed. Quantity of HSV was measured using qRT-PCR in all three samples. RESULTS The mean age of HSV patients was 52.19 ± 20.42 years (range, 4-85 years). Forty-one (58.6%) HSV patients had epithelial involvement, and 29 (41.4%) patients did not have epithelial involvement. In PCR-positive cases, the mean number of viruses in affected eyes' tears (8,831,234 ± 4,051,979) was significantly higher than uninvolved eyes' tears (182,603 ± 69,141) (P = 0.02). The mean of PCR in HSV patients with and without epithelial involvement was 10,320,269 ± 5,329,800 and 1,469,419 ± 1,070,396, respectively (P = 0.04). The qRT-PCR of involved tears in both groups (with and without epithelial involvement) was significantly higher than unaffected eyes' tears (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.01, respectively). In cases with and without epithelial involvement, the cutoff points of viral load in involved eyes' tears were 281,000 and 126,000 copies, respectively. CONCLUSION The results indicated that qRT-PCR is an excellent method for the detection of herpes simplex keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Mohammadpour
- Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Leyla Alizadeh
- Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Jabbarvand Behrouz
- Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Khorrami-Nejad
- Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Nájera F, Grande-Gómez R, Peña J, Vázquez A, Palacios MJ, Rueda C, Corona-Bravo AI, Zorrilla I, Revuelta L, Gil-Molino M, Jiménez J. Disease Surveillance during the Reintroduction of the Iberian Lynx ( Lynx pardinus) in Southwestern Spain. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020547. [PMID: 33669869 PMCID: PMC7923217 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The restoration of Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) populations in Extremadura (Southwestern Spain) have been carried out since 2014. One of the measures to ensure the success of this program is to examine the effects that diseases may have on reintroduction. Since diseases may be greatly located at certain sites because of the specific ecological requirements of the pathogens and/or vectors, reintroduced individuals may present a risk of infection once released. To determine which pathogens the reintroduced individuals may encounter, we performed a molecular and sero-epidemiological survey in reintroduced and wild-born lynxes. From 2015 to 2019, 69 Iberian lynxes (40 reintroduced and 29 wild-born) were sampled and screened against 10 viral, bacterial and piroplasmid agents. In parallel, 195 sympatric carnivores from the families Canidae, Felidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae and Mustelidae were tested against current or past infections to six common canine/feline viruses. In the Iberian lynx, low contact rates of active infection were obtained for the feline leukemia provirus (FeLV: 1.5%; 1/67), feline parvovirus (FPV: 1.5%; 1/67) and Cytauxzoon sp. (6.7%; 1/15). We also confirmed the emergence of Aujeszky's disease (suid herpesvirus-1) in this population (SuHV-1: 11.8%; 2/17). Evidence of previous exposure was detected for canine distemper virus (CDV: 5.8%; 3/52), feline coronavirus (1.9%; 1/52), FPV (7.7%; 1/13) and feline calicivirus (FCV: 5.3%; 1/19). From 25 recovered lynx carcasses, we could confirm infectious etiology involvement in the death of four individuals (SuHV-1 in two individuals, coinfection of Cytauxzoon spp. and Aeromonas veronii in one lynx and a Streptococcus canis myositis in another lynx). We confirmed the circulation of CDV, FPV, FeLV, FCV and the feline immunodeficiency virus within the sympatric carnivore community. Due to the low contact rate of infectious agents in such a small, endangered population, we recommend continuing a disease surveillance program to determine the prognostic factors of survival, understand the role that disease may play during the reintroduction and anticipate disease outbreaks that may pose a risk for the entire reintroduced population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Nájera
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Rebeca Grande-Gómez
- GPEX-Dirección General de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Extremadura, Avda. Luis Ramallo s/n, 06800 Mérida, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (J.P.); (A.V.)
- Organismo Autónomo Parques Nacionales, Zarza de Granadilla, 10710 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Jorge Peña
- GPEX-Dirección General de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Extremadura, Avda. Luis Ramallo s/n, 06800 Mérida, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (J.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Anastasio Vázquez
- GPEX-Dirección General de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Extremadura, Avda. Luis Ramallo s/n, 06800 Mérida, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (J.P.); (A.V.)
| | - María Jesús Palacios
- Dirección General de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Extremadura, Avda. Luis Ramallo s/n, 06800 Mérida, Spain;
| | - Carmen Rueda
- Fundación CBD-Hábitat, C/Gustavo Fernández Balbuena 2, Entreplanta, Oficina A, 28002 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Ana Isabel Corona-Bravo
- Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico de la Fauna Silvestre, Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía, Avenida Lope de Vega 9, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (A.I.C.-B.); (I.Z.)
| | - Irene Zorrilla
- Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico de la Fauna Silvestre, Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía, Avenida Lope de Vega 9, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (A.I.C.-B.); (I.Z.)
| | - Luis Revuelta
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - María Gil-Molino
- Servicio de Recepción y Diagnostico de Muestras Biológicas, Hospital Clínico Veterinario, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10003 Cáceres, Spain;
| | - José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-(CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain;
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Lee Y, Maes RK, Kruger JM, Kiupel M, Giessler KS, Soboll Hussey G. Safety and Efficacy of Felid Herpesvirus-1 Deletion Mutants in Cats. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020163. [PMID: 33499363 PMCID: PMC7911815 DOI: 10.3390/v13020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Felid herpesvirus-1 (FeHV-1) is an important respiratory and ocular pathogen of cats and current vaccines are limited in duration and efficacy because they do not prevent infection, viral nasal shedding and latency. To address these shortcomings, we have constructed FeHV-1 gE-TK- and FeHV-1 PK- deletion mutants (gE-TK- and PK-) using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) mutagenesis and shown safety and immunogenicity in vitro. Here, we compare the safety and efficacy of a prime boost FeHV-1 gE-TK- and FeHV-1 PK- vaccination regimen with commercial vaccination in cats. Cats in the vaccination groups were vaccinated at 3-week intervals and all cats were challenge infected 3 weeks after the last vaccination. Evaluations included clinical signs, nasal shedding, virus neutralizing antibodies (VN), cytokine mRNA gene expression, post-mortem histology and detection of latency establishment. Vaccination with gE-TK- and PK- mutants was safe and resulted in significantly reduced clinical disease scores, pathological changes, viral nasal shedding, and viral DNA in the trigeminal ganglia (the site of latency) following infection. Both mutants induced VN antibodies and interferons after immunization. In addition, after challenge infection, we observed a reduction of IL-1β expression, and modulation of TNFα, TGFβ and IL10 expression. In conclusion, this study shows the merits of using FeHV-1 deletion mutants for prevention of FeHV-1 infection in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lee
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.L.); (R.K.M.); (M.K.); (K.S.G.)
| | - Roger K. Maes
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.L.); (R.K.M.); (M.K.); (K.S.G.)
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, USA
| | - John M. Kruger
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Matti Kiupel
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.L.); (R.K.M.); (M.K.); (K.S.G.)
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, USA
| | - Kim S. Giessler
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.L.); (R.K.M.); (M.K.); (K.S.G.)
| | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.L.); (R.K.M.); (M.K.); (K.S.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-517-432-3273
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Kopecny L, Maggs DJ, Leutenegger CM, Johnson LR. Effects of famciclovir in cats with spontaneous acute upper respiratory tract disease. J Feline Med Surg 2020; 22:492-499. [PMID: 31246133 PMCID: PMC10814330 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x19857587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the effects of famciclovir administration in cats with spontaneously acquired acute upper respiratory tract disease. METHODS Twenty-four kittens with clinical signs of acute upper respiratory tract disease were randomly allocated to receive doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h) alone (group D; n = 12) or with famciclovir (90 mg/kg PO q12h; group DF; n = 12) for up to 3 weeks. Clinical disease severity was scored at study entry and daily thereafter. Oculo-oropharyngeal swabs collected at study entry and exit were assessed using quantitative PCR for nucleic acids of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Chlamydia felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Mycoplasma felis. RESULTS The median (range) age of cats was 1.5 (1-6) months in group D vs 1.6 (1-5) months in group DF (P = 0.54). Pathogens detected in oculo-oropharyngeal swabs at study entry included FCV (n = 13/24; 54%), M felis (n = 8/24; 33%), FHV-1 (n = 7/24; 29%), C felis (n = 7/24; 29%) and B bronchiseptica (n = 3/24; 12%). Median (range) duration of clinical signs was 11.5 (3-21) days in group DF and 11 (3-21) days in group D (P = 0.75). Median (range) total disease score at the end of the study did not differ between groups (group D 1 [1-1] vs group DF 1 [1-3]; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study revealed no significant difference in response to therapy between cats treated with doxycycline alone or with famciclovir; cats improved rapidly in both groups. However, identification of FHV-1 DNA was relatively uncommon in this study and clinical trials focused on FHV-1-infected cats are warranted to better evaluate famciclovir efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Kopecny
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David J Maggs
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Lynelle R Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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Nguyen D, Barrs VR, Kelman M, Ward MP. Feline upper respiratory tract infection and disease in Australia. J Feline Med Surg 2019; 21:973-978. [PMID: 30465616 PMCID: PMC11132241 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x18813248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of feline infectious upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and disease (URTD) in Australian cats. METHODS Laboratory data demonstrating URTI from feline URTD multiplex PCR panel (feline herpesvirus 1 [FHV-1], feline calicivirus [FCV], Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydophila felis, Mycoplasma felis and H1N1 influenza) submissions in Australia (2013-2015) were obtained. For comparison, reports of feline URTD during the same time period were sourced from a voluntary companion animal disease surveillance system. RESULTS A total of 3126 samples were submitted for testing; 1533 (49%) were positive. Of these, the most commonly detected agents were M felis (21.5%) and FCV (16.0%) alone, followed by FCV and M felis (13.4%) together as a respiratory infection complex, then FHV-1 (7.0%) alone. During the study period, there were 262 reports of 320 clinical feline URTD cases. Most cases (69%) were reported from New South Wales, <1 year of age (41%) and equally distributed between the sexes. Infection was more common in entire cats (69%) and most cases (55%) involved domestic shorthair cats. Of the 90 reports that had a known vaccination status, 63 had a vaccination history, 40 of which were recently vaccinated. Most (72%) feline URTD cases recovered from clinical disease. Both feline URTI and URTD were more common during winter months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Feline URTI and URTD cause substantial impact in Australia, being most commonly associated with M felis and FCV infection. This information can be used by veterinarians to educate clients about prevention and management of this important infectious disease of cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalton Nguyen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Vanessa R Barrs
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Mark Kelman
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
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19
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Mazzei M, Vascellari M, Zanardello C, Melchiotti E, Vannini S, Forzan M, Marchetti V, Albanese F, Abramo F. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and RNAscope in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) as effective tools to diagnose feline herpesvirus-1-associated dermatitis. Vet Dermatol 2019; 30:491-e147. [PMID: 31486555 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Felid herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)-associated dermatitis is characterized by facial and nasal involvement; clinical and histopathological manifestations may overlap with other dermatitides. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the realibility of qRT-PCR-2- ΔΔC q and RNAscope in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) methods to diagnose FHV-1-associated dermatitis, in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. ANIMALS Sixteen FFPE samples from cats with facial dermatitis and four controls were studied. METHODS AND MATERIALS Based on histopathological features, cases were separated into: Group 1, samples with herpetic dermatitis (four); Group 2, samples with nonherpetic facial dermatitis (six); Group 3, samples with facial dermatitis of ambiguous nature (allergic or viral) (six); and Group 4, samples from healthy cats (four). A relative quantification using the 2- ΔΔC q method was used to estimate the "upregulation" of each FHV-1 target viral gene copies (glycoprotein-B and thymidine-kinase) relative to reference gene. Detection of FHV-1 mRNA was performed using the RNAscope 2.5 detection kit. RESULTS By 2- ΔΔC q analysis, upregulation of both FHV-1 genes was observed in all samples from Group 1 and two of six from Group 3. No upregulation was identified in samples from groups 2 and 4. Positive mRNA hybridization signal was observed in all cases from Group 1 and two cases of Group 3. No positivity was observed in samples from groups 2 and 4. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE QRT-PCR 2-ΔΔCq analysis and RNA-ISH can identify the FHV-1 genome as causative agent of the associated dermatitis, even where inclusion bodies are not detectable. Both techniques are functional in retrospective studies, have greater specificity than conventional PCR, and may be proposed for research and diagnostic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Mazzei
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Vascellari
- Histopathology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - Claudia Zanardello
- Private Veterinary Laboratory "LaVallonea", Via Giuseppe Sirtori 9, 20017 Passirana di Rho (MI), Italy
| | - Erica Melchiotti
- Private Veterinary Laboratory "LaVallonea", Via Giuseppe Sirtori 9, 20017 Passirana di Rho (MI), Italy
| | - Susanna Vannini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Forzan
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica Marchetti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Albanese
- Private Veterinary Laboratory "LaVallonea", Via Giuseppe Sirtori 9, 20017 Passirana di Rho (MI), Italy
| | - Francesca Abramo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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Synowiec A, Gryniuk I, Pachota M, Strzelec Ł, Roman O, Kłysik-Trzciańska K, Zając M, Drebot I, Gula K, Andruchowicz A, Rajfur Z, Szczubiałka K, Nowakowska M, Pyrc K. Cat flu: Broad spectrum polymeric antivirals. Antiviral Res 2019; 170:104563. [PMID: 31325462 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) are considered as main causes of feline upper respiratory tract disease and the most common clinical manifestations include rhinotracheitis, conjunctivitis, and nasal/facial ulcerations. While the primary infection is relatively mild, secondary infections pose a threat to young or immunocompromised cats and may result in a fatal outcome. In this study, we made an effort to evaluate antiviral potency of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonates) (PSSNa) as potent FHV-1 and FCV inhibitors for topical use. Mechanistic studies showed that PSSNa exhibits a different mechanism of action depending on target species. While PSSNa acts directly on FHV-1 particles blocking their interaction with the host's cell and preventing the infection, the antiviral potency against FCV is based on inhibition at late stages of the viral replication cycle. Altogether, PSSNa polymers are promising drug candidates to be used in the treatment and prevention of the viral upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), regardless of the cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Synowiec
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387, Krakow, Poland; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Irma Gryniuk
- Department of Cell Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Pachota
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387, Krakow, Poland; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Strzelec
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Olga Roman
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kłysik-Trzciańska
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz Zając
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Inga Drebot
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Gula
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Zenon Rajfur
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Lojasiewicza 11, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szczubiałka
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Nowakowska
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.
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Aftab G, Rajaei SM, Pot SA, Faghihi H. Seasonal Effects on the Corneoconjunctival Microflora in a Population of Persian Cats in Iran. Top Companion Anim Med 2019; 34:30-32. [DOI: 10.1053/j.tcam.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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22
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Caringella F, Elia G, Decaro N, Martella V, Lanave G, Varello K, Catella C, Diakoudi G, Carelli G, Colaianni ML, Bo S, Buonavoglia C. Feline calicivirus infection in cats with virulent systemic disease, Italy. Res Vet Sci 2019; 124:46-51. [PMID: 30844542 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a contagious viral pathogen that usually causes a mild, self-limiting respiratory disease. More recently, highly virulent FCV strains have emerged and have been associated with severe systemic infection, referred to as virulent systemic disease (VSD). The objective of this study is to report VSD cases in Italian cats along with the molecular characterization of two detected FCV strains. Three client-owned cats showed clinical signs resembling to those described for VSD cases. The cats were subjected to molecular investigations for detection of FCV and other feline pathogens. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed on internal organs of one cat; molecular characterization of two detected FCV strains was obtained through sequence and phylogenetic analyses. Putative VS-FCV strains were detected in all three cats, which were co-infected with feline panleukopenia virus. The cat submitted to histopathology and immunohistochemistry displayed severe histological changes and FCV antigens in internal organs. Two Italian FCV strains, for which amplification of ORF2 was successful, were strictly related and formed a unique phylogenetic cluster. These viruses did not show consistent changes in the amino acid sequences with respect to reference VS-FCVs. The results of our study confirm that VS-FCV strains are circulating in Italy and that VSD diagnosis is complicated since both genetic and clinical markers have not been identified so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Caringella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Elia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Katia Varello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna, 148, 10154 Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Cristiana Catella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Georgia Diakoudi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Carelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Loredana Colaianni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia, 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefano Bo
- Ambulatorio Veterinario Associato, Via Fratelli Calandra, 3, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Viral replication and innate immunity of feline herpesvirus-1 virulence-associated genes in feline respiratory epithelial cells. Virus Res 2019; 264:56-67. [PMID: 30796929 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infection occurs worldwide and is a leading cause of respiratory and ocular diseases in cats. Current vaccines reduce the severity of symptoms but do not prevent infection and, therefore, do not provide defense against an establishment of latency and reactivation. We hypothesize that immunomodulation of FHV-1 is the cause of lack in protection and that deletion of virulence/immune modulatory genes of FHV-1 will enhance safety and immunogenicity. Our objective was to use feline respiratory epithelial cell (FREC) cultures to define in vitro growth characteristics and immunomodulation resulting from infection of FRECs with the virulent FHV-1 strain C27 (WT) and glycoprotein C-deletion (gC-), glycoprotein E-deletion (gE-), serine/threonine protein kinase-deletion (PK-), as well as gE and thymidine kinase-double-deletion (gE-TK-) mutants generated by bacterial artificial chromosome mutagenesis. Differentiated FRECs were mock inoculated or inoculated with WT, gC-, gE-, PK-, or gE-TK- mutants. Virus titration and real-time quantitative PCR assays were performed on samples collected at 1 hpi followed by 24 h intervals between 24 and 96 hpi to determine growth kinetics. Real-time PCR was used to quantitate IFNα, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-10, and TGFβ-specific mRNA levels. Immunoassays were performed to measure the protein levels of subsets of cytokines/chemokines secreted by FRECs. Inoculation of FRECs with gE-TK- resulted in significantly lower end-point titers than inoculation with WT or gE-. Both PK- and gC- inoculated FRECs also produced significantly lower end-point titers at 96 hpi than WT. Overall, intracellular virus titers were higher than those of extracellular virus. PCR results for viral DNA paralleled the virus titration results. Further, in contrast to WT inoculation, an increase in IFNα and IL-10 mRNA expression was not observed following inoculation with gE-TK- and PK-, but inoculation with gE-TK- and PK- did result in increased TGFβ expression in FRECs compared to responses following infection with WT. Moreover, gE-TK- and PK- blocked the inhibition of IL-8 and neutrophil chemoattractant (KC), which was observed following inoculation with WT. In summary, the results obtained in FRECs may be used to predict the safety and immunogenicity characteristics of these mutants in vivo. Our study highlights the value of the FREC system for studying replication kinetics/immune modulation factors of FHV-1 and screening prospective vaccine candidates before their use in experimental cats.
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Oliveira IVPDM, Freire DADC, Ferreira HIP, Moura GHF, da Rocha CS, Calabuig CIP, Kurissio JK, Junior JPA, Antunes JMADP. Research on viral agents associated with feline reproductive problems reveals a high association with feline panleukopenia virus. Vet Anim Sci 2018; 6:75-80. [PMID: 32734056 PMCID: PMC7386638 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although reproductive failures (RF) such as abortion, stillbirth and neonatal mortality in cats are still under researched, it is known that many RF are caused by viral agents. This research surveyed the viral agent prevalence in queens with RF. Queens were excluded from the study if their RF was caused by issues other than infection, such as genetic, traumatic, hormonal or nutritional problems, or if they had a history of RF. Blood samples from 26 pregnant females with RF were collected for complete blood counts (BCC), renal/hepatic biochemistry and glycaemic analysis. Ultrasonography was performed to evaluate gestational age and foetal viability. When possible, placentas, humours and foetal tissues were collected. Blood samples were tested by PCR and qPCR for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline alphaherpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) and carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1). All maternal samples were negative for FeLV, FIV and FeHV-1 and positive for CPPV-1. In addition, foetuses from one queen and three females were positive for CPPV-1 by qPCR and for feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) through DNA sequencing. The BCC and biochemistry results revealed significant neutrophilia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and liver enzymes. These results provide the first description of an FPV agent causing only RF-related clinical signs in queens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilanna Vanessa Pristo de Medeiros Oliveira
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Bairro Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Débora Alves de Carvalho Freire
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Bairro Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Heider Irinaldo Pereira Ferreira
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Bairro Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Hemylin Ferreira Moura
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Bairro Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Célio Souza da Rocha
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Bairro Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Cecilia Irene Pérez Calabuig
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Bairro Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Kazue Kurissio
- IBTEC, Instituto de Biotecnologia, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Alameda das Tecomarias, s/n, Chácara Capão Bonito, Botucatu, SP 18607-440, Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo Junior
- IBTEC, Instituto de Biotecnologia, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Alameda das Tecomarias, s/n, Chácara Capão Bonito, Botucatu, SP 18607-440, Brazil
| | - João Marcelo Azevedo de Paula Antunes
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Bairro Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 59625-900, Brazil
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25
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Meli ML, Berger A, Willi B, Spiri AM, Riond B, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Molecular detection of feline calicivirus in clinical samples: A study comparing its detection by RT-qPCR directly from swabs and after virus isolation. J Virol Methods 2017; 251:54-60. [PMID: 28986291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Feline caliciviruses (FCVs) are non-enveloped RNA viruses that exhibit high genetic variation. Two reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) FCV assays (S1 and S2) were evaluated using samples from 300 field cats. The direct detection of FCV in swabs and after propagation in cell culture, as well as the influence of storage conditions, was assessed. FCV-RNA detectability on dry swabs was similar after storage at either 4°C or -20°C, but viral burdens were maintained for a longer time period when viral transport medium was used. A total of 97 (32%) samples was considered FCV PCR-positive. Of these, 81% and 77% tested positive directly from swabs using S1 and S2, respectively; 84% and 81% tested positive after enrichment in cell culture, respectively. Combined detection by RT-PCR directly from swabs and after VI was most sensitive (up to 96%). Neither of the methods alone were able to detect all FCV-positive samples. In conclusion, clinical samples should be collected in viral transport medium, stored at ≤4°C and processed as soon as possible. The combination of cell culture with RT-qPCR or detection directly from swabs using a combination of different RT-qPCR assays is recommended to reach a high sensitivity of FCV detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Alice Berger
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Willi
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea M Spiri
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Riond
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Targeted Enrichment for Pathogen Detection and Characterization in Three Felid Species. J Clin Microbiol 2017; 55:1658-1670. [PMID: 28330894 PMCID: PMC5442522 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01463-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional diagnostic assays often lack sensitivity and can be difficult to multiplex across many pathogens. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can overcome some of these problems but has limited application in the detection of low-copy-number pathogens in complex samples. Targeted genome capture (TGC) utilizes oligonucleotide probes to enrich specific nucleic acids in heterogeneous extracts and can therefore increase the proportion of NGS reads for low-abundance targets. While earlier studies have demonstrated the utility of this technology for detection of novel pathogens in human clinical samples, the capacity and practicality of TGC-NGS in a veterinary diagnostic setting have not yet been evaluated. Here we report the use of TGC-NGS assays for the detection and characterization of diverse feline pathogen taxa. We detected 31 pathogens comprising nine pathogen taxa in 28 felid samples analyzed. This included 20 pathogens detected via traditional PCR and 11 additional pathogens that had not been previously detected in the same samples. Most of the pathogens detected were sequenced at sufficient breadth and depth to confidently classify them at the species or subspecies level. Target nucleic acids were enriched from a low of 58-fold to 56 million-fold relative to host nucleic acids. Despite the promising performance of these assays, a number of pathogens detected by conventional PCR or serology were not isolated by TGC-NGS, suggesting that further validation is required before this technology can be used in lieu of quality-controlled standard assays. We conclude that TGC-NGS offers great potential as a broad multiplex pathogen characterization assay in veterinary diagnostic and research settings.
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Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay-A Simple, Fast and Cost-Effective Alternative to Real Time PCR for Specific Detection of Feline Herpesvirus-1. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0166903. [PMID: 28045956 PMCID: PMC5207716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), an enveloped dsDNA virus, is one of the major pathogens of feline upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and ocular disease. Currently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) remains the gold standard diagnostic tool for FHV-1 infection but is relatively expensive, requires well-equipped laboratories and is not suitable for field tests. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), an isothermal gene amplification technology, has been explored for the molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases. In this study, an exo-RPA assay for FHV-1 detection was developed and validated. Primers targeting specifically the thymidine kinase (TK) gene of FHV-1 were designed. The RPA reaction was performed successfully at 39°C and the results were obtained within 20 min. Using different copy numbers of recombinant plasmid DNA that contains the TK gene as template, we showed the detection limit of exo-RPA was 102 copies DNA/reaction, the same as that of real time PCR. The exo-RPA assay did not cross-detect feline panleukopenia virus, feline calicivirus, bovine herpesvirus-1, pseudorabies virus or chlamydia psittaci, a panel of pathogens important in feline URTD or other viruses in Alphaherpesvirinae, demonstrating high specificity. The assay was validated by testing 120 nasal and ocular conjunctival swabs of cats, and the results were compared with those obtained with real-time PCR. Both assays provided the same testing results in the clinical samples. Compared with real time PCR, the exo-RPA assay uses less-complex equipment that is portable and the reaction is completed much faster. Additionally, commercial RPA reagents in vacuum-sealed pouches can tolerate temperatures up to room temperature for days without loss of activity, suitable for shipment and storage for field tests. Taken together, the exo-RPA assay is a simple, fast and cost-effective alternative to real time PCR, suitable for use in less advanced laboratories and for field detection of FHV-1 infection.
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Veir JK, Lappin MR, Dow SW. Evaluation of a novel immunotherapy for treatment of chronic rhinitis in cats. J Feline Med Surg 2016; 8:400-11. [PMID: 16857403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2006.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of chronic rhinitis in cats is poorly understood and consistently effective therapies are not currently available. Therefore, randomized clinical trials were conducted to evaluate a novel immunotherapy for treatment of chronic rhinitis in adult ( n=12) and young cats ( n=28). In addition, cytokine profiles in cats with chronic rhinitis were compared to those of healthy cats. Cats were treated with a potent stimulator of innate immunity (liposome–IL-2 DNA complexes) and the effects of treatment on clinical signs and immune function were assessed. In adult cats with chronic rhinitis, immunotherapy led to significant improvement in frequency of sneezing but not in other clinical signs when compared to the placebo group, whereas immunotherapy failed to improve clinical signs in younger cats. Analysis of cytokine expression in cats with rhinitis did not reveal evidence of a Th2 cytokine bias in cats with rhinitis. We conclude that chronic rhinitis in cats is not a Th2-biased disease and that immunotherapy may lead to clinical improvement in adult cats with the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Veir
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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Pathological Features and Pathogenesis of the Endomyocardial Form of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy in Cats. J Comp Pathol 2016; 155:190-198. [PMID: 27392420 PMCID: PMC7094507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This study reports pathological and molecular features in 41 cases of feline restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). Grossly, there were patchy or diffuse areas of endocardial thickening affecting the left ventricle. The more common patchy endocardial lesions occurred as large trabecular or irregular broad bands of fibrous tissue bridging the left ventricular free wall and ventricular septum. Microscopically, regardless of the gross pattern, the thickened endocardium contained various numbers of stellate, spindle-shaped or elongated mesenchymal cells surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. Immunohistochemical findings were indicative of smooth muscle differentiation in mesenchymal cells. These cells proliferated vigorously and produced alcian blue-positive ground substance and collagen fibres; it was considered that the mesenchymal cells contributed to the formation of the endocardial lesions. In addition, multiple left ventricular ‘false tendons’ were invariably included within the trabecular or broad fibrous bands, providing a framework for formation of those bands. Evidence of endocarditis or endomyocarditis was lacking in all 41 cases, and no viral genomes were detected in any of the DNA or RNA samples obtained from 14 of the hearts. These observations suggest that any relationship between feline RCM and a virus-induced inflammatory response seems unlikely.
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30
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Willi B, Spiri AM, Meli ML, Samman A, Hoffmann K, Sydler T, Cattori V, Graf F, Diserens KA, Padrutt I, Nesina S, Berger A, Ruetten M, Riond B, Hosie MJ, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Molecular characterization and virus neutralization patterns of severe, non-epizootic forms of feline calicivirus infections resembling virulent systemic disease in cats in Switzerland and in Liechtenstein. Vet Microbiol 2016; 182:202-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Berger A, Willi B, Meli ML, Boretti FS, Hartnack S, Dreyfus A, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Feline calicivirus and other respiratory pathogens in cats with Feline calicivirus-related symptoms and in clinically healthy cats in Switzerland. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:282. [PMID: 26566897 PMCID: PMC4644299 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0595-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cats with feline calicivirus (FCV)-related symptoms are commonly presented to veterinary practitioners. Various clinical manifestations have been attributed to FCV, i.e. upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), oral ulcerations, gingivostomatitis, limping syndrome and virulent systemic disease. Additionally, healthy cats can shed FCV. The aims of this study were 1) to investigate the frequency of FCV in cats with FCV-related symptoms and in healthy cats in Switzerland, 2) to assess risk and protective factors for infection, such as signalment, housing conditions, vaccination, and co-infection with URTD-associated pathogens, and 3) to address the association between clinical symptoms and FCV infection. Results Oropharyngeal, nasal and conjunctival swabs were collected in 24 veterinary practices from 200 FCV-suspect and 100 healthy cats originating from 19 cantons of Switzerland. The samples were tested for FCV using virus isolation and reverse-transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and for feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Mycoplasma felis, Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica using real-time qPCR. Within the two populations (FCV-suspect/healthy), the observed PCR prevalences were: FCV 45 %/8 %, FHV-1 20 %/9 %, C. felis 8 %/1 %, B. bronchiseptica 4 %/2 %, M. felis 47 %/31 % and any co-infections thereof 40 %/14 %. Based on multivariable regression models amongst FCV-suspect cats (odds ratio [95 % confidence interval]), co-infection with M. felis (1.75 [0.97; 3.14]), group housing (2.11 [1.02; 4.34]) and intact reproductive status (1.80 [0.99; 3.28]) were found to be risk factors for FCV infection. In healthy cats, intact reproductive status (22.2 [1.85; 266.7]) and group housing (46.4 [5.70; 377.7]) were found to be associated with FCV infection. Based on an univariable approach, FCV-suspect cats were found to be significantly less often FCV-positive when vaccinated (0.48 [0.24; 0.94]). Oral ulcerations, salivation, gingivitis and stomatitis, but not classical signs of URTD were significantly associated with FCV infection (all p < 0.001). Conclusions FCV was detected in less than half of the cats that were judged FCV-suspect by veterinary practitioners. For a clinical diagnosis, FCV-related symptoms should be revisited. FCV infection was present in some healthy cats, underlining the importance of asymptomatic carriers in FCV epidemiology. To reduce FCV-related problems in multi-cat environments, reduction of group size in addition to the generally recommended vaccination are advocated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0595-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Berger
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Willi
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Felicitas S Boretti
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anou Dreyfus
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Present address: Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Litster A, Wu CC, Leutenegger CM. Detection of feline upper respiratory tract disease pathogens using a commercially available real-time PCR test. Vet J 2015; 206:149-53. [PMID: 26324635 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb), Chlamydia felis (Cf) and Mycoplasma felis (Mf) are common infectious agents identified in cats with upper respiratory tract disease (URTD). Each of these agents can either act as primary pathogens or cause subclinical infections, and pathogen identification can be used to prevent disease transmission in shelters, or to manage individual cats with recurrent URTD. The aim of this study was to compare pathogen detection rates using real-time PCR testing and virus isolation (VI) or bacterial culture in conjunctival, nasal and oropharyngeal swabs from 18 shelter-housed cats with clinical URTD. Co-infections were common; FHV-1 was most prevalent and Cf and FCV were least prevalent. Agents detected by PCR were FCV 2/18 (11%), FHV-1 17/18 (94%), Bb 8/18 (44%) and Mf 15/18 (83%). Agents detected by VI and bacterial culture were FCV 1/18 (6%), FHV-1 12/18 (67%), Bb 8/18 (44%) and Mf 12/18 (67%). Agreement between PCR results and the other two methods was: FHV-1, 57.4%; FCV, 98.1%; Bb, 75.0%; Mf, 60.0%. Discordancies included PCR-positive, VI-negative (FCV, n = 1/54, 1.9%; FHV-1, n = 23/54, 42.6%), PCR-positive, culture-negative (Bb, n = 6/36, 16.7%; Mf, n = 13/36, 36.1%) or PCR-negative, culture-positive (Bb, n = 3/36, 8.3%; Mf, n = 2/36, 5.6%) results. A combination of an oropharyngeal swab and either a conjunctival or a nasal swab submitted for PCR testing was able to detect all infectious agents tested for in each cat. PCR testing was a sensitive and convenient method of detection of infectious agents in cats with clinical signs of URTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Litster
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - C C Wu
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - C M Leutenegger
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., 2825 KOVR Drive, West Sacramento, CA 95605, USA
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Schulz C, Hartmann K, Mueller RS, Helps C, Schulz BS. Sampling sites for detection of feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus and Chlamydia felis in cats with feline upper respiratory tract disease. J Feline Med Surg 2015; 17:1012-9. [PMID: 25660223 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x15569615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV) and Chlamydia felis are involved in feline upper respiratory tract disease (FURTD). Clinical signs caused by these agents can overlap, and the involvement of certain pathogens is often unpredictable. The objectives of this study were to compare detection rates of FHV-1, FCV and C felis at different sampling sites, and to investigate the correlation between positive test results and clinical signs in cats with FURTD. METHODS Swabs were taken from the nose, pharynx, tongue and conjunctiva of 104 cats with signs of FURTD. Real-time PCR was performed on all samples for the detection of FHV-1, FCV and C felis. RESULTS Infectious agents were identified in 93 (89.4%) cats. Of these, 55.8% were positive for FHV-1, 50.0% for FCV and 35.6% for C felis. FCV was found more frequently in the oropharynx (92.3% of FCV-positive cats) and on the tongue (90.4%) than the conjunctiva (38.5%) (P <0.001). There was no significant difference between the four sampling sites for the detection of FHV-1 and C felis. If nasal samples had also been taken, 94.9% of FHV-1-positive cats, 96.2% of FCV-positive cats and 81.1% of C felis-positive cats would have been detected. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The oropharynx can be recommended as the preferred single sampling site for the detection of FCV, FHV-1 and C felis if only one sample can be taken; however, taking samples at different sites significantly increases the detection rate for all pathogens studied. Interestingly, sampling from a site with FURTD-associated lesions did not increase the likelihood of detecting the infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina Schulz
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, LMU University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, LMU University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ralf S Mueller
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, LMU University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chris Helps
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Bianka S Schulz
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, LMU University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Linek M, Rüfenacht S, Brachelente C, von Tscharner C, Favrot C, Wilhelm S, Nett C, Mueller RS, Mayer U, Welle M. Nonthymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis in 18 cats. Vet Dermatol 2014; 26:40-5, e12-3. [DOI: 10.1111/vde.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Linek
- Tieraerztliche Spezialisten; Rodigallee 85 D-22043 Hamburg Germany
| | | | - Chiara Brachelente
- Vetsuisse Faculty; Institute for Animal Pathology; University of Bern; Länggassstrasse 120 CH-3001 Bern Switzerland
| | - Claudia von Tscharner
- Vetsuisse Faculty; Institute for Animal Pathology; University of Bern; Länggassstrasse 120 CH-3001 Bern Switzerland
| | - Claude Favrot
- Vetsuisse Faculty; Dermatologie Klinik für Kleintiermedizin; Winterthurerstrasse 260 CH-8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Wilhelm
- Dermavet; Muhenstrasse 56 CH-5036 Oberentfelden Switzerland
| | - Claudia Nett
- Dermatologie und Allergologie für Tiere; c/o Ennetseeklinik für Kleintiere; Rothusstrasse 2 CH-6331 Hünenberg Switzerland
| | - Ralf S. Mueller
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine; Ludwig Maximilian University; D-80539 Munich Germany
| | | | - Monika Welle
- Vetsuisse Faculty; Institute for Animal Pathology; University of Bern; Länggassstrasse 120 CH-3001 Bern Switzerland
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Cave NJ, Dennis K, Gopakumar G, Dunowska M. Effects of physiologic concentrations of l-lysine on in vitro replication of feline herpesvirus 1. Am J Vet Res 2014; 75:572-80. [PMID: 24866513 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.75.6.572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of various concentrations of l-lysine on in vitro replication of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1). SAMPLE Cultures of Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells. PROCEDURES CRFK cells were inoculated with FHV-1 and maintained in media with 20 combinations of l-arginine and l-lysine concentrations. Changes in cell viability were monitored by continuous measurement of electrical impedance of cultured cells and by observation of viral cytopathic effects. Viral load was determined by use of quantitative PCR assay in supernatants obtained from infected cultures at specified time points. RESULTS Increases in l-lysine concentration had no effect on the kinetics of cell death in FHV-1-infected cultures. There was also no significant effect (r(2) < 0.1) on viral DNA load for l-arginine concentrations ≥ 12 μg/mL There was a significant effect of increases in l-lysine concentration on viral DNA load in media supplemented with 6 μg of l-arginine/mL (mean ± SD slope, -4,641 ± 1,626 units; adjusted r(2) = 0.45). However, the difference between the lowest (1 × 10(6.28) copies/μL) and highest (1 × 10(6.86) copies/μL) FHV-1 DNA load in these media was < 1 logarithm. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The difference in FHV-1 DNA load was unlikely to be biologically important. Various l-lysine concentrations did not inhibit in vitro replication of FHV-1 at l-arginine concentrations sufficient to maintain cell growth. This conclusion was consistent with results of other studies in which investigators have not detected a consistently beneficial effect when l-lysine is administered to FHV-1-infected cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Cave
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
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36
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Wiggans KT, Vernau W, Lappin MR, Thomasy SM, Maggs DJ. Diagnostic utility of aqueocentesis and aqueous humor analysis in dogs and cats with anterior uveitis. Vet Ophthalmol 2013; 17:212-20. [PMID: 23910096 PMCID: PMC7169337 DOI: 10.1111/vop.12075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate diagnostic utility of aqueous humor analysis in animals with anterior uveitis. Animals Client‐owned dogs (n = 12) and cats (n = 10). Procedures Examination findings and diagnostic test results including aqueous humor cytology were compared. Results Disease duration prior to aqueocentesis was not significantly different between dogs with idiopathic anterior uveitis and those with an etiologic diagnosis, but was shorter in cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) than those with idiopathic uveitis. Microbial nucleic acids, antigens, or antibodies against them were seldom found in blood/serum; however, serum feline coronavirus titers ≥1:6400 were detected only in cats with FIP. Aqueous humor cytology was diagnostic in no cats and two dogs, both with neoplasia. Although aqueous humor contained predominantly neutrophils in cats with FIP and large reactive lymphocytes and plasma cells appeared more frequent in cats with idiopathic uveitis, neither clinical nor cytologic assessment of anterior chamber contents differed significantly between cats with idiopathic or FIP‐associated uveitis. Cytologically assessed plasma cell number was correlated with keratic precipitates and disease duration. Clinically detectable hyphema and cytologic erythrocyte number were correlated. However, cytologic cell grades and clinical grade of flare or cell numbers within the anterior chamber were not correlated. Conclusions Aqueous humor cytology permitted diagnosis of neoplasia in dogs with anterior uveitis but was generally not helpful in cats. Poor correlation between clinical and cytologic assessment of cell numbers and type within the anterior chamber dictates that clinical grading should not be the sole criterion for electing to perform aqueocentesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Tomo Wiggans
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
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Slack JM, Stiles J, Leutenegger CM, Moore GE, Pogranichniy RM. Effects of topical ocular administration of high doses of human recombinant interferon alpha-2b and feline recombinant interferon omega on naturally occurring viral keratoconjunctivitis in cats. Am J Vet Res 2013; 74:281-9. [PMID: 23363355 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.74.2.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether 14-day topical ocular administration of high doses of feline recombinant interferon omega (FelFN) or human recombinant interferon alpha-2b (HulFN) solution improves clinical disease and decreases virus shedding in cats with naturally acquired viral keratoconjunctivitis. ANIMALS 36 cats with upper respiratory tract disease and ocular involvement. PROCEDURES Cats received 1 drop of FelFN solution (1 × 10(6) U/mL), HulFN solution (1 × 10(6) U/mL), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (12 cats/group) in each eye twice daily for 14 days (beginning day 1). Oropharyngeal and conjunctival swab samples were collected from each cat before (day 0) and on day 14 of treatment for virus isolation (VI) and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) testing to detect feline herpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus. Subjective clinical scores were recorded on days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14. RESULTS The number of cats for which feline herpesvirus-1 was detected via VI or RT-qPCR assay was generally (albeit not always significantly) lower on day 14, compared with day 0 findings; however, findings on days 0 or 14 did not differ among groups. The number of cats for which feline calicivirus was detected via VI or RT-qPCR assay did not differ significantly between days 0 and 14 for any group. Clinical scores significantly decreased over the 14-day period but did not differ among groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In cats with naturally occurring viral keratoconjunctivitis, bilateral ocular administration of high doses of FelFN or HulFN twice daily for 14 days did not improve clinical disease or virus shedding, compared with treatment with saline solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Slack
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Roth SJ, Tischer BK, Kovacs KM, Lydersen C, Osterrieder N, Tryland M. Phocine herpesvirus 1 (PhHV-1) in harbor seals from Svalbard, Norway. Vet Microbiol 2013; 164:286-92. [PMID: 23570865 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Phocine herpesvirus 1 (PhHV-1) infections in seals are associated with disease and sometimes high mortality, primarily in young animals. PhHV-1 has been detected in seals from European waters as well as in waters on both coasts of North America. Serological surveys of various pinniped species have indicated a wide geographical distribution of PhHV-1. A quantitative and sensitive real-time PCR assay targeting the gene encoding glycoprotein B of PhHV-1 was developed for detection of PhHV-1 in ocular and nasal swab samples from wild harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from Svalbard (Norway). PhHV-1 DNA was detected in samples from 6 (8%) seals collected in 2009 and 2 (3%) in 2010; all had herpesvirus DNA in the ocular swab sample, whereas only one of these animals also had herpesvirus DNA in the nasal swab sample. Four PCR positive animals were approximately 1 year of age and four were pups of the year. Serum samples obtained in 1998 (n=59), 1999 (n=74), 2000 (n=81), 2009 (n=69) and 2010 (n=83) were tested for anti-PhHV-1 antibodies in an indirect ELISA. The PhHV-1 seroprevalence in the population remained high throughout this period, varying from 77 to 100% between years. No eye disease was observed in this harbor seal population, but the ELISA and PCR findings reported here suggest that PhHV-1 is endemic in this globally northernmost harbor seal colony, and that the virus is shed on the mucosa of the eye and nose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swaantje J Roth
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Virulent feline calicivirus disease in a shelter in Italy: a case description. Res Vet Sci 2013; 95:283-90. [PMID: 23433681 PMCID: PMC7111799 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common pathogen of cats that is particularly widespread in multi-cat environments such as shelters and catteries. FCV infections are usually associated with acute, mild and self-limiting upper respiratory tract disease characterized by oral vesicles/ulcers. Recently, virulent systemic disease (VSD) associated with FCV infection has been reported in the USA and Europe. This paper describes a case of VSD affecting one adult, FIV infected cat ("Oscar") living in a shelter located in Northern Italy; the clinical, post-mortem and laboratory findings indicate that this is the first case of suspected FCV-VSD in this country. Similar to a previous report (Meyer et al., 2011), the disease affected only one cat, while others remained asymptomatic, despite their direct contact with "Oscar". Phylogenetic analysis identified unique features in the "Oscar" FCV isolate. The FIV infection of the patient might have favoured the generation of the virulent FCV strains in this cat.
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Dean E, Meunier V. Feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis: a retrospective study of 45 cases (56 eyes). J Feline Med Surg 2013; 15:661-6. [DOI: 10.1177/1098612x12472181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The medical records of 45 cases (56 eyes) of feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) diagnosed between 2005 and 2011 were reviewed. Cats were included if a clinical diagnosis of EKC was recorded and eosinophils were found on corneal cytology. Median age at presentation was 5 years (interquartiles 5-9 years) for both males and females. Domestic shorthair was the predominant breed, accounting for 77.8% of the cats. The condition was unilateral in 75.6% of cases, with the superotemporal quadrant of the cornea the most frequently affected position (76.8% of eyes). A history of corneal ulceration was recorded in 37.8% of cases, and corneal ulcers were present at or before diagnosis in 66.7% of the cats. Eosinophils were found in 92.0% of conjunctival scrapings. We performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) for 33/45 cats. Viral DNA was detected in 54.5% of these cats. FHV-1 DNA was detected by PCR in 66.7% of cats with a history and/or presence of a corneal ulcer at first presentation, which is significantly more than those with no corneal ulcer at any time (22.2% FHV-1 DNA detected). Our findings suggest that a corneal ulcer can be present prior to the development of eosinophilic keratitis. Further studies are mandatory to explore the role that FHV-1 could play in EKC-associated corneal ulceration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Dean
- Vet-Oeil Ophthalmology Clinic, Lognes, France
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41
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Maes R. Felid herpesvirus type 1 infection in cats: a natural host model for alphaherpesvirus pathogenesis. ISRN VETERINARY SCIENCE 2012; 2012:495830. [PMID: 23762586 PMCID: PMC3671728 DOI: 10.5402/2012/495830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis, an important viral disease of cats on a worldwide basis. Acute FeHV-1 infection is associated with both upper respiratory and ocular signs. Following the acute phase of the disease lifelong latency is established, primarily in sensory neuronal cells. As is the case with human herpes simplex viruses, latency reactivation can result in recrudescence, which can manifest itself in the form of serious ocular lesions. FeHV-1 infection in cats is a natural host model that is useful for the identification of viral virulence genes that play a role in replication at the mucosal portals of entry or are mediators of the establishment, maintenance, or reactivation of latency. It is also a model system for defining innate and adaptive immunity mechanisms and for immunization strategies that can lead to better protection against this and other alphaherpesvirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Maes
- Departments of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Swenson CL, Gardner K, Arnoczky SP. Infectious feline herpesvirus detected in distant bone and tendon following mucosal inoculation of specific pathogen-free cats. Vet Microbiol 2012; 160:484-7. [PMID: 22795772 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2012] [Revised: 06/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that cats infected with feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) may experience a brief viremic phase. The objective of this study was to determine whether natural routes of FHV-1 inoculation could result in viremic transmission of infectious virus to connective tissues (cortical bone, tendon). Three specific pathogen-free cats were experimentally inoculated with FHV-1 via a combined mucosal (oronasal, ocular) route. Cats were euthanized at the peak of clinical signs to aseptically harvest tissues (cortical bone, tendon, trachea/tongue) for co-culture with a susceptible cell line to promote spread of infectious virus. Viral infection of Crandall-Rees feline kidney cells was microscopically visualized by cytopathic effect (CPE). Additionally, co-culture DNA was extracted either at the point of CPE or 16 days of culture without evidence of CPE, to amplify FHV-1 glycoprotein B gene using real-time PCR. Infectious virus was detected in distant cortical bone (two cats, moderate to severe clinical signs) and tendon (one cat, severe clinical signs). Direct infection of mucosal (trachea, tongue) tissues also was confirmed in these two cats. In contrast, all co-cultured tissues from the third cat (mild clinical signs) were negative for FHV-1 by CPE and PCR. Results of this study demonstrated that early primary FHV-1 viremia may be distributed to distant connective tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Swenson
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA.
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Robert-Tissot C, Rüegger VL, Cattori V, Meli ML, Riond B, Gomes-Keller MA, Vögtlin A, Wittig B, Juhls C, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lutz H. The innate antiviral immune system of the cat: molecular tools for the measurement of its state of activation. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2011; 143:269-81. [PMID: 21719112 PMCID: PMC7112645 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The innate immune system plays a central role in host defence against viruses. While many studies portray mechanisms in early antiviral immune responses of humans and mice, much remains to be discovered about these mechanisms in the cat. With the objective of shedding light on early host-virus interactions in felids, we have developed 12 real-time TaqMan(®) qPCR systems for feline genes relevant to innate responses to viral infection, including those encoding for various IFNα and IFNω subtypes, IFNβ, intracellular antiviral factor Mx, NK cell stimulator IL-15 and effectors perforin and granzyme B, as well as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 3 and 8. Using these newly developed assays and others previously described, we measured the relative expression of selected markers at early time points after viral infection in vitro and in vivo. Feline embryonic fibroblasts (FEA) inoculated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) indicated peak levels of IFNα, IFNβ and Mx expression already 6h after infection. In contrast, Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CrFK) cells inoculated with feline herpes virus (FHV) responded to infection with high levels of IFNα and IFNβ only after 24h, and no induction of Mx could be detected. In feline PBMCs challenged in vitro with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), maximal expression levels of IFNα, β and ω subtype genes as well as IL-15 and TLRs 3, 7 and 8 were measured between 12 and 24h after infection, whereas expression levels of proinflammatory cytokine gene IL-6 were consistently downregulated until 48h post inoculation. A marginal upregulation of granzyme B was also observed within 3h after infection. In an in vivo experiment, cats challenged with FIV exhibited a 2.4-fold increase in IFNα expression in blood 1 week post infection. We furthermore demonstrate the possibility of stimulating feline immune cells in vitro with various immune response modifiers (IRMs) already known for their immunostimulatory properties in mice and humans, namely Poly IC, Resiquimod (R-848) and dSLIM™, a synthetic oligonucleotide containing several unmethylated CpG motifs. Stimulation of feline PBMCs with dSLIM™ and R-848 effectively enhanced expression of IFNα within 12h by factors of 6 and 12, respectively, and Poly IC induced an increase in Mx mRNA expression of 28-fold. Altogether, we describe new molecular tools and their successful use for the characterization of innate immune responses against viruses in the cat and provide evidence that feline cells can be stimulated by synthetic molecules to enhance their antiviral defence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Robert-Tissot
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Histologic and molecular correlation in shelter cats with acute upper respiratory infection. J Clin Microbiol 2011; 49:2454-60. [PMID: 21562109 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00187-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a descriptive study designed to correlate diagnostic real-time PCR results with histopathologic lesions in cats with clinical signs of upper respiratory infection (URI). The study occurred over a 9-month period in a single open-intake animal shelter. Cats that were selected for euthanasia by the shelter staff and additionally had URI were included in the study, for a total of 22 study cats. Combined conjunctival and oropharyngeal swab specimens were tested by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Mycoplasma felis, Chlamydophila felis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Necropsy was performed on all cats, and a complete set of respiratory tract tissues was examined by histopathology. Among 22 cats, 20 were qPCR positive for FHV-1, 7 for M. felis, 5 for FCV, 1 for C. felis, and 0 for B. bronchiseptica. Nine cats were positive for two or more pathogens. Histopathologic lesions were present in all cats, with consistent lesions in the nasal cavity, including acute necroulcerative rhinitis in 16 cats. Histologic or antigenic detection of FHV-1 was seen in 18 of 20 cats positive for FHV-1 by qPCR. No lesions that could be specifically attributed to FCV, M. felis, or C. felis were seen, although interpretation in this cohort could be confounded by coinfection with FHV-1. A significant agreement was found between the amount of FHV-1 DNA determined by qPCR and the presence of specific histopathologic lesions for FHV-1 but not for the other respiratory pathogens.
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45
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Klose TC, MacPhail CM, Schultheiss PC, Rosychuk RA, Hawley JR, Lappin MR. Prevalence of select infectious agents in inflammatory aural and nasopharyngeal polyps from client-owned cats. J Feline Med Surg 2010; 12:769-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2010.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Benign, inflammatory polyps may affect the nasopharynx and auditory canal of cats. It has been proposed that inflammation induced by infectious disease agents could trigger polyp formation. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Mycoplasma species, Bartonella species and Chlamydophila felis nucleic acids in polyp tissues collected from 30 clinically affected cats. Samples collected from the tympanic bulla from 12 clinically normal cats were also assayed. DNA or RNA of some of the target agents were amplified from samples from 25% of normal cats and 33% of affected cats; however, statistical associations were not detected for individual agent results or grouped results. The study documents that common oropharyngeal or blood borne agents can be detected in the tympanic bullae of normal cats. Failure to consistently amplify RNA or DNA of the select agents from polyp tissues suggests the agents studied were not directly associated with the pathogenesis of this syndrome in the cats tested. Alternately, the inflammatory response may have cleared microbial nucleic acids to undetectable levels by the time of sample collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C. Klose
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Catriona M. MacPhail
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Patricia C. Schultheiss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Rod A. Rosychuk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Hawley
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Michael R. Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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46
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Richter M, Matheis F, Gönczi E, Aeby S, Spiess B, Greub G. Parachlamydia acanthamoebae in domestic cats with and without corneal disease. Vet Ophthalmol 2010; 13:235-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00789.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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47
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Seroprevalences to viral pathogens in free-ranging and captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) on Namibian Farmland. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2009; 17:232-8. [PMID: 19955325 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00345-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cheetah populations are diminishing rapidly in their natural habitat. One reason for their decline is thought to be a high susceptibility to (infectious) diseases because cheetahs in zoos suffer from high disease-induced mortality. Data on the health status of free-ranging cheetahs are scarce, and little is known about their exposure and susceptibility to infectious diseases. We determined seroprevalences to nine key viruses (feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, feline parvovirus, feline coronavirus, canine distemper virus, feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV], puma lentivirus, feline leukemia virus, and rabies virus) in 68 free-ranging cheetahs on east-central Namibian farmland, 24 nonvaccinated Namibian captive cheetahs, and several other wild carnivore species and conducted necropsies of cheetahs and other wild carnivores. Eight of 11 other wild carnivores were seropositive for at least one of the viruses, including the first record of an FIV-like infection in a wild felid west of the Kalahari, the caracal (Felis caracal). Seroprevalences of the free-ranging cheetahs were below 5% for all nine viruses, which is significantly lower than seroprevalences in nonvaccinated captive cheetahs and those for five of seven viruses in previously studied free-ranging cheetahs from north-central Namibia (L. Munson, L. Marker, E. Dubovi, J. A. Spencer, J. F. Evermann, and S. J. O'Brien, J. Wildl. Dis. 40:23-31, 2004). There was no clinical or pathological evidence of infectious diseases in living or dead cheetahs. The results suggest that while free-ranging wild carnivores may be a source of pathogens, the distribution of seroprevalences across studies mirrored local human population density and factors associated with human habitation, probably reflecting contact opportunities with (nonvaccinated) domestic and feral cats and dogs. They also suggest that Namibian cheetahs respond effectively to viral challenges, encouraging consistent and sustainable conservation efforts.
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48
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Major A, Cattori V, Boenzli E, Riond B, Ossent P, Meli ML, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lutz H. Exposure of cats to low doses of FeLV: seroconversion as the sole parameter of infection. Vet Res 2009; 41:17. [PMID: 19861115 PMCID: PMC2789331 DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Accepted: 10/26/2009] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In felids, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection results in a variety of outcomes that range from abortive (virus readily eliminated and never detectable) to progressive infection (persistent viremia and viral shedding). Recently, a novel outcome was postulated for low FeLV infectious doses. Naïve cats exposed to faeces of persistently infected cats seroconverted, indicating infection, but remained negative for provirus and p27 antigen in blood. FeLV provirus was found in some tissues but not in the bone marrow, infection of which is usually considered a necessary stage for disease progression. To investigate the impact of low FeLV doses on young cats and to test the hypothesis that low dose exposure may lead to an unknown pathogenesis of infection without involvement of the bone marrow, 21 cats were infected oronasally with variable viral doses. Blood p27, proviral and viral loads were followed until week 20 post-infection. Tissue proviral loads were determined as well. The immune response was monitored by measuring FeLV whole virus and p45 antibodies; and feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) assay. One cat showed regressive infection (transient antigenemia, persistent provirus-positivity, and seroconversion) with provirus only found in some organs at sacrifice. In 7 of the 20 remaining cats FOCMA assay positivity was the only sign of infection, while all other tests were negative. Overall, the results show that FeLV low dose exposure can result in seroconversion during a presumed abortive infection. Therefore, commonly used detection methods do not detect all FeLV-infected animals, possibly leading to an underestimation of the prevalence of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Major
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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49
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Thiry E, Addie D, Belák S, Boucraut-Baralon C, Egberink H, Frymus T, Gruffydd-Jones T, Hartmann K, Hosie MJ, Lloret A, Lutz H, Marsilio F, Pennisi MG, Radford AD, Truyen U, Horzinek MC. Feline herpesvirus infection. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. J Feline Med Surg 2009; 11:547-55. [PMID: 19481034 PMCID: PMC7129359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2009.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Overview Feline viral rhinotracheitis, caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV), is an upper respiratory tract disease that is often associated with feline calicivirus and bacteria. In most cats, FHV remains latent after recovery, and they become lifelong virus carriers. Stress or corticosteroid treatment may lead to virus reactivation and shedding in oronasal and conjunctival secretions. Infection Sick cats shed FHV in oral, nasal and conjunctival secretions; shedding may last for 3 weeks. Infection requires direct contact with a shedding cat. Disease signs Feline herpesvirus infections cause acute rhinitis and conjunctivitis, usually accompanied by fever, depression and anorexia. Affected cats may also develop typical ulcerative, dendritic keratitis. Diagnosis Samples consist of conjunctival, corneal or oropharyngeal swabs, corneal scrapings or biopsies. It is not recommended that cats recently vaccinated with a modified-live virus vaccine are sampled. Positive PCR results should be interpreted with caution, as they may be produced by low-level shedding or viral latency. Disease management ‘Tender loving care’ from the owner, supportive therapy and good nursing are essential. Anorexic cats should be fed blended, highly palatable food – warmed up if required. Mucolytic drugs (eg, bromhexine) or nebulisation with saline may offer relief. Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Topical antiviral drugs may be used for the treatment of acute FHV ocular disease. The virus is labile and susceptible to most disinfectants, antiseptics and detergents. Vaccination recommendations Two injections, at 9 and 12 weeks of age, are recommended, with a first booster 1 year later. Boosters should be given annually to at-risk cats. For cats in low-risk situations (eg, indoor-only cats), 3-yearly intervals suffice. Cats that have recovered from FHV-associated disease are usually not protected for life against further disease episodes; vaccination of recovered cats is therefore recommended.
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50
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Museux K, Boretti FS, Willi B, Riond B, Hoelzle K, Hoelzle LE, Wittenbrink MM, Tasker S, Wengi N, Reusch CE, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R. In vivo transmission studies of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' in the domestic cat. Vet Res 2009; 40:45. [PMID: 19505421 PMCID: PMC2701178 DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2008] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural transmission routes of the three feline haemotropic mycoplasmas – Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMt) – are largely unknown. Since CMt has been detected in the saliva of infected cats using PCR, we hypothesised that direct transmission via social or aggressive contact may occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate this transmission route. CMt-positive saliva and blood samples were obtained from three prednisolone-treated specific pathogen-free (SPF) cats that were infected intraperitoneally with CMt. Five SPF cats were inoculated with CMt-positive saliva or blood subcutaneously to mimic cat bites, and five cats were inoculated orally with blood or oronasally with saliva to mimic social contact. Blood samples were monitored for CMt infection using quantitative real-time PCR and for seroconversion using a novel western blot assay. Neither oronasal nor subcutaneous inoculation with CMt-positive saliva led to CMt infection in the recipient cats, as determined by PCR, independent of prior prednisolone treatment. However, when blood containing the same CMt dose was given subcutaneously, 4 of the 5 cats became PCR-positive, while none of the 5 cats inoculated orally with up to 500 μL of CMt-positive blood became PCR-positive. Subsequently, the latter cats were successfully subcutaneously infected with blood. All 13 CMt-exposed cats seroconverted. In conclusion, CMt transmission by social contact seems less likely than transmission by aggressive interaction. The latter transmission may occur if the recipient cat is exposed to blood from an infected cat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Museux
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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