Feline Parvovirus Seroprevalence Is High in Domestic Cats from Disease Outbreak and Non-Outbreak Regions in Australia

Abstract

Multiple, epizootic outbreaks of feline panleukopenia (FPL) caused by feline parvovirus (FPV) occurred in eastern Australia between 2014 and 2018. Most affected cats were unvaccinated. We hypothesised that low population immunity was a major driver of re-emergent FPL. The aim of this study was to (i) determine the prevalence and predictors of seroprotective titres to FPV among shelter-housed and owned cats, and (ii) compare the prevalence of seroprotection between a region affected and unaffected by FPL outbreaks. FPV antibodies were detected by haemagglutination inhibition assay on sera from 523 cats and titres ≥1:40 were considered protective. Socioeconomic indices based on postcode and census data were included in the risk factor analysis. The prevalence of protective FPV antibody titres was high overall (94.3%), even though only 42% of cats were known to be vaccinated, and was not significantly different between outbreak and non-outbreak regions. On multivariable logistic regression analysis vaccinated cats were 29.94 times more likely to have protective FPV titres than cats not known to be vaccinated. Cats from postcodes of relatively less socioeconomic disadvantage were 5.93 times more likely to have protective FPV titres. The predictors identified for FPV seroprotective titres indicate targeted vaccination strategies in regions of socioeconomic disadvantage would be beneficial to increase population immunity. The critical level of vaccine coverage required to halt FPV transmission and prevent FPL outbreaks should be determined.

Retrospective longitudinal study on Canine and Feline Parvovirus Infections in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

“…Thus, of the total 2247 cases of dogs and cats treated at Claws and Paws clinic for different diseases during this specified time, 68 parvovirus infection cases were identified and included in the study. The algorithms used for the selection of the cases were reports of clinical signs that show gastroenteritis such as diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration (Sun et al, 2019;Van et al, 2019;Jenkins et al, 2020& Qi et al, 2020. In addition, fever, lethargy and inappetence were considered (Sun et al, 2019;Van et al, 2019;Jenkins et al, 2020& Qi et al, 2020.…”

“…Canine parvovirus (CPV) and feline parvovirus (FPV) infections cause severe gastroenteritis, which is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, leukopenia and dehydration. The two infections occur worldwide affecting domestic cats and dogs as well as wild carnivores causing fatalities in young ones (Sun et al, 2019;Van et al, 2019;Jenkins et al, 2020& Qi et al, 2020. The disease in cats is named as feline panleukopenia or feline parvo while it is termed as canine parvovirus infection in dogs.…”

Genetic Characterization of Feline Parvovirus Isolate Fe–P2 in Korean Cat and Serological Evidence on Its Infection in Wild Leopard Cat and Asian Badger

“…FPV-infectious disease is characterized by severe panleukopenia and enteritis, which is also associated with high mortality and morbidity (3,5,17). Multiple, epizootic outbreaks of FPV infection in most unvaccinated cats were reported in Australia between 2014 and 2018 (2). In Korea, FPV infection was found in 2% of cats in Seoul (11), and FPVs belonging to the G1 and G2 clusters were circulating (12).…”

“…FPV is the main causative agent for feline panleukopenia, which can also be caused by canine parvovirus (CPV) variants, CPV-2a, 2b, and 2c (1,2). CPV-2 can only infect dogs, whereas its variant can infect cats (1,3).…”

Advances in Feline Viruses and Viral Diseases

“…The importance of routine vaccination for pet cats against FPV is highlighted in two reports of outbreaks of feline panleukopenia, a vaccine-preventable, fatal parvoviral disease. In the first report, Jenkins et al report high FPV antibody prevalence in cats from outbreak and non-outbreak regions in Australia [ 6 ]. Less than half of the cats studied were known to be vaccinated, although 94% recorded protective titers, suggesting that cats are commonly exposed to Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 in the field.…”