A Nosocomial Outbreak of Feline Calicivirus Associated Virulent Systemic Disease in France

Abstract

This report describes a nosocomial outbreak of feline calicivirus (FCV) associated virulent systemic disease (VSD) in a French veterinary teaching hospital in 2005. The outbreak started in March and resolved within 1 month. Signs, clinical course, clinicopathological findings and lesions were typical of FCV-induced VSD. FCV infection was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Among the eight infected cats, two had to be euthanased, three died, and three recovered after medical treatment. Virus could not be confined inside the animal hospital and on two occasions, students' own cats became infected. Subsequent genetic sequencing studies confirmed that the eight cats were infected with the same strain of virus, and that it was distinct from those involved in the US and UK outbreaks of VSD. Virulence and viral excretion patterns of the isolated strain were further characterised by experimental infection.

Ocular manifestations of feline viral diseases

“…Feline calicivirus causes URTD and oral mucosal ulceration, and can cause ocular surface disease, primarily conjunctivitis. In some outbreaks of virulent systemic FCV, large percentages of cats have died (Hurley et al, 2004;Coyne et al, 2006;Reynolds et al, 2009) Feline calicivirus has been cited as causing only mild conjunctivitis (Ramsey, 2000). However, a recent study of 99 cats with URTD, as well as ocular surface disease, found that ocular samples analyzed using PCR were positive for FCV alone in 11 (11.1%) cats; in 19 (19.2%) cats, FCV was present with other infectious agents, including FHV-1 (Gerriets et al, 2012).…”

Large-Scale Spatial and Temporal Genetic Diversity of Feline Calicivirus

“…Infection is generally associated with relatively mild oral and respiratory tract disease. However, the virus's genetic plasticity has led to the repeated emergence of variants (or pathotypes), some of which can be lethal (8,18,25,33,42,43). In addition to its significance for feline health, FCV is frequently used as a model for human norovirus, an important cause of vomiting and diarrhea in people (36).…”

Infectious Diseases

“…239 In most cases, this dissemination does not manifest clinically. 132, 223,247,260 This syndrome involves widespread vasculitis and multiorgan failure and has occurred in vaccinated animals. Lameness associated with acute synovitis may occur, and although the precise mechanism of disease remains unclear, viral antigen associated with joint macrophages has been identified.…”