Sampling sites for detection of feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus and<i>Chlamydia felis</i>in cats with feline upper respiratory tract disease

ObjectivesThe objective of the current study was to investigate the prevalence rates of the following infectious agents in 116 stray cats in the Barcelona area of Spain: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia felis, Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia species, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species.MethodsSerum antibodies were used to estimate the prevalence of exposure to A phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, B burgdorferi, Ehrlichia species and FIV; serum antigens were used to assess for infection by D immitis and FeLV; and molecular assays were used to amplify nucleic acids of Anaplasma species, Bartonella species, C felis, D immitis, Ehrlichia species, FCV, FHV-1, haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species from blood and nasal or oral swabs.ResultsOf the 116 cats, 63 (54.3%) had evidence of infection by Bartonella species, FeLV, FIV or a haemoplasma. Anaplasma species, Ehrlichia species or Rickettsia species DNA was not amplified from these cats. A total of 18/116 cats (15.5%) were positive for FCV RNA (six cats), Mycoplasma species DNA (six cats), FHV-1 DNA (three cats) or C felis DNA (three cats).Conclusions and relevanceThis study documents that shelter cats in Catalonia are exposed to many infectious agents with clinical and zoonotic significance, and that flea control is indicated for cats in the region.

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“…Previous studies have shown that oropharyngeal samples could be ideal to obtain DNA for FHV-1 and RNA for FCV and respiratory pathogens. 30,31 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of selected infectious disease agents in stray cats in Catalonia, Spain

Ravicini

Pastor

Hawley

et al. 2016

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports

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“…Chlamydia felis ( C . felis ) is another known pathogen that is frequently detected in cats with FURTD and has been observed in the nose of cats with FURTD [59]. Notably in this study, C .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Bacterial microbiome in the nose of healthy cats and in cats with nasal disease

et al. 2017

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BackgroundTraditionally, changes in the microbial population of the nose have been assessed using conventional culture techniques. Sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes demonstrated that the human nose is inhabited by a rich and diverse bacterial microbiome that cannot be detected using culture-based methods. The goal of this study was to describe the nasal microbiome of healthy cats, cats with nasal neoplasia, and cats with feline upper respiratory tract disease (FURTD).Methodology/Principal findingsDNA was extracted from nasal swabs of healthy cats (n = 28), cats with nasal neoplasia (n = 16), and cats with FURTD (n = 15), and 16S rRNA genes were sequenced. High species richness was observed in all samples. Rarefaction analysis revealed that healthy cats living indoors had greater species richness (observed species p = 0.042) and Shannon diversity (p = 0.003) compared with healthy cats living outdoors. Higher species richness (observed species p = 0.001) and Shannon diversity (p<0.001) were found in middle-aged cats in comparison to healthy cats in different age groups. Principal coordinate analysis revealed separate clustering based on similarities in bacterial molecular phylogenetic trees of 16S rRNA genes for indoor and outdoor cats. In all groups examined, the most abundant phyla identified were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, 375 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. In healthy cats and cats with FURTD, Moraxella spp. was the most common genus, while it was unclassified Bradyrhizobiaceae in cats with nasal neoplasia. High individual variability was observed.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the nose of cats is inhabited by much more variable and diverse microbial communities than previously shown. Future research in this field might help to develop new diagnostic tools to easily identify nasal microbial changes, relate them to certain disease processes, and help clinicians in the decision process of antibiotic selection for individual patients.

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“…This statement applies more to feline herpesvirus because cats with feline herpesvirus shed virus transiently rather than continuously in contrast to feline calicivirus (24,25). The single sampling site that was chosen could have distorted the results; it would have been better to take a sample also from the oropharynx to increase the detection rate for the two pathogens (26). Bacterial osteomyelitis in young children occurs most commonly in the metaphyses because the blood vessels trap bacterial emboli (27).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Performing cytology and culture could have helped in ruling out an infectious agent. Blood culture should be recommended in animals with systemic disease (26). In the two cats, because their clinical signs were mild and there was no fever, blood culture was not considered to be indicated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%