Comparison of Serologic Techniques for the Detection of Antibodies against Feline Coronaviruses

Abstract

Abstract. The seroprevalence of feline coronavirus (FCoV) antibodies was studied in cats in southern Italy. One hundred twenty sera collected from cats belonging to catteries or community shelters and to households were tested for FCoV type I and II antibodies. The virus neutralization (VN) was performed and compared with indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ninety-six sera tested positive for FCoV antibodies by VN and ELISA. Interestingly, ELISA revealed 2 more positive sera than did the VN test and 3 more positive sera than did the IFAT. All results were confirmed by Western blotting. ELISA proved to be more sensitive and detected a seroprevalence of about 82%. Considering the cross-reactivity of FCoV type I and type II, ELISA was able to detect antibodies against both serotypes, allowing the use of the assay as a reference test for sera screening. The high prevalence of antibodies observed indicates that FCoVs are common in southern Italian cat populations.

A retrospective clinical and epidemiological study on feline coronavirus (FCoV) in cats in Istanbul, Turkey

“…Moreover, FCoV seroprevalence increased in 2014 compared to previous years and this may suggest that FCoV infections are an increasing health problem in cats in Istanbul. High FCoV seroprevalence (up to 84%) has been reported in many countries (Sparkes et al, 1992;Holst et al, 2006;Pratelli, 2008;Pratelli et al, 2009;Sabshin et al, 2012;Taharaguchi et al, 2012). In contrast, FCoV seroprevalence was comparatively low in chronically ill (19.3%) and even lower in healthy cats (10.1%) in Korea (Dong-Jun et al, 2011).…”

“…Diagnosis of FIP is complicated and the cat's clinical history together with results from several analyses including serology, PCR and postmortem analyses are often required before a definite diagnosis can be reached (Shelly et al, 1988;Hartmann et al, 2003;Addie et al, 2004Addie et al, , 2009Pratelli, 2008;Sharif et al, 2010;Taylor et al, 2010). Hematological and biochemical changes in FIP cases are not very specific, but ascites, increase in serum protein level, increase in bilirubin, decrease in hematocrit and decrease in A:G ratio are prominent (Addie et al, 2009).…”

“…A recent PCR test that is commercially available (FIP Virus RealPCR TM Test, IDEXX) allows differentiating FIPV and low pathogenic FECV biotypes, and according to the manufacturers, the test was 99.4% accurate in samples from 88% infected cats with a positive PCR result. PCR results should be evaluated together with clinical findings and postmortem samples should be analyzed by molecular methods (Sparkes et al, 1994;Hartmann et al, 2003;Pratelli, 2008;Addie et al, 2009;Pedersen, 2009;Sharif et al, 2010).…”

Prevalence of feline coronavirus antibodies in cats in Bursa province, Turkey, by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

“…19 FCoVs I and II distribution was also studied in southern Italy and a seroprevalence of 72% and 82%, respectively, was detected. 10 In general, antibodies against FCoVs are found in 80e90% of the animals living in catteries and in up to 50% of solitary cats. 20 Based on the gold standard test employed, prevalence of FCoV antibodies in Bursa sampled population is 21%, but differences in the frequency of antibody were found between stray cats (62% of the positive cats) and household cats (4%).…”

Diversidade gênica do coronavírus felino em populações virais entéricas e sistêmicas intra e inter-hospedeiros

“…A similar pattern was observed in a previous study that also examined the M gene (CHANG; EGBERINK; ROTTIER, 2011) which determined that FIPVs originate from FECVs by the accumulation and selection of point mutations (POLAND et al, 1996;VENNEMA et al, 1998;PEDERSEN et al, 2009). The internal mutation hypothesis has been widely accepted and is mainly supported by the close similarities between FECoV and FIPV and the low incidence of FIP outbreaks, despite the high proportion of FCoV-seropositive cats (SPARKES; GRUFFYDD-JONES; HERREWEGH et al, 1997;HOLST et al, 2006;PRATELLI, 2008).…”