Evaluation of a Revised Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of Feline Leukaemia p27 Antigen and Anti-p15E Antibodies in Cats.

The first point-of-care (PoC) test (v-RetroFel®; modified version 2021) determining the presence of FeLV p27 antigen and FeLV anti-p15E antibodies has become recently commercially available to identify different feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection outcomes. This study aimed to assess this PoC test's performance concerning FeLV p27 antigen and FeLV anti-p15E antibody detection. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were assessed after ten minutes (recommended) and 20 min (prolonged) incubation times. The test results were evaluated as either positive or negative. Serum samples from 934 cats were included, originating from Italy (n = 269), Portugal (n = 240), Germany (n = 318), and France (n = 107). FeLV p27 antigen and anti-p15E antibodies were measured by reference standard ELISAs and compared to the PoC test results. The PoC test was easy to perform and the results easy to interpret. Sensitivity and specificity for FeLV p27 antigen were 82.8% (PPV: 57.8%) and 96.0% (NPV: 98.8%) after both, ten and 20 minues of incubation time. Sensitivity and specificity for anti-p15E antibodies were 31.4% (PPV: 71.6%) and 96.9% (NPV: 85.1%) after ten minutes incubation time; sensitivity was improved by a prolonged incubation time (20 min) to 40.0% (PPV: 76.3%), while specificity remained the same (96.9%, NPV: 86.7%). Despite the improved sensitivity using the prolonged incubation time, lower than ideal sensitivities for both p27 antigen and especially anti-p15E antibodies were found, indicating that the PoC test in its current version needs further improvement prior to application in the field.

Prevalence of Different Courses of Feline Leukaemia Virus Infection in Four European Countries.

Prevalence of progressive feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection is known to still be high in cats in Europe, especially in Southern Europe, but the prevalence of other outcomes of FeLV infection has not been determined in most countries. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of progressive, regressive, abortive, and focal infection in four European countries, two with a high (Italy, Portugal) and two with a low expected prevalence (Germany, France). Blood samples of 934 cats (Italy: 269; Portugal: 240; France: 107; Germany: 318) were evaluated for the p27 antigen, as well as anti-whole virus, anti-SU, and anti-p15E antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum and for proviral DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in whole blood. Positive p27 antigen ELISA results were confirmed by reverse transcriptase-qPCR (RT-qPCR) detecting viral RNA in saliva swabs and/or blood. The outcome of FeLV infection was categorised as progressive (antigen-positive, provirus-positive), regressive (antigen-negative, provirus-positive), abortive (antigen- and provirus-negative, antibody-positive), and focal (antigen-positive, provirus-negative) infection. Overall FeLV prevalence was 21.2% in Italy, 20.4% in Portugal, 9.5% in Germany, and 9.3% in France. Prevalence of progressive, regressive, abortive, and focal infection in Italy was 7.8%, 4.5%, 6.3%, and 2.6%; in Portugal 3.8%, 8.3%, 6.7%, and 1.7%; in Germany 1.9%, 1.3%, 3.5%, and 2.8%; in France 1.9%, 3.7%, 2.8%, and 0.9%, respectively. In conclusion, overall FeLV prevalence is still very high, especially in Southern European countries. Therefore, testing, separation of infected cats, and vaccination are still important measures to reduce the risk of FeLV infection.

Efficacy of fipronil/(S)-methoprene/eprinomectin/praziquantel (Broadline®) against Thelazia callipaeda in naturally infected cats.

BACKGROUND: The present clinical field trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of a broad-spectrum parasiticide spot-on formulation containing eprinomectin (Broadline®) against Thelazia callipaeda eyeworm in naturally infected cats. METHODS: Fifteen privately owned cats harboring at least one live adult T. callipaeda were included in the study. Cats were randomly allocated to an untreated control group of seven cats or to a Broadline®-treated group of eight cats. Cats were treated on Day 0; ocular examinations were performed at inclusion and on Days 7 and 14; eyeworms were recovered and counted on Day 14. The primary efficacy assessment was based on group comparison of number of T. callipaeda on Day 14. RESULTS: Seven days after treatment, six of eight treated cats were negative for eyeworm infection per visual examination, and on Day 14 no eyeworms were found in the treated cats while the seven untreated cats were still infected (geometric mean: 1.97). All cats had inflammatory ocular signs at inclusion; on Day 14, five of eight treated cats had recovered while all untreated control cats were still symptomatic. All collected parasites were confirmed to be T. callipaeda by morphology and molecular characterization. CONCLUSIONS: A single treatment with Broadline® provided 100% efficacy against feline thelaziosis and improved related ocular inflammation signs.

Mammary fibroadenomatous hyperplasia in a male cat.

CASE SUMMARY: Mammary fibroadenomatous hyperplasia (MFH) is a benign pathology characterised by extensive proliferation of the ductal epithelium and mammary stroma. It typically occurs in young female cats, and seems to result from hypersensitivity to progesterone. A 2-year-old entire male European Shorthair cat presented to the veterinary clinic with enlargement of several mammary glands, which had developed within the previous 10 days. There was no prior administration of progestin in the cat's medical history. Diagnostic tests were performed to assess the basal progesterone concentration and the concentration after stimulation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which ruled out the presence of functional ovarian tissue. Histological examination of the testes excluded hormone-secreting testicular tumours. Histological examination of the mammary gland confirmed the diagnosis of MFH. Treatment was started with aglepristone, a selective competitor for progesterone receptors, administered subcutaneously at 15 mg/kg at days 1, 2, 8 and 15. A reduction in the size of the mammary glands was evident 6 days after the first administration, with complete remission observed after 4 weeks. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first full report of MFH in a male cat. Although the origin of the progestins responsible for MFH in this case could not be confirmed, in the light of the diagnostic tests performed and the results obtained, accidental contact with hormone-like substances seems to be the only plausible explanation for the cat's clinical signs. Inhibitor therapy was successful.

Serum symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine in Birman cats compared with cats of other breeds.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess whether, in contrast to serum creatinine, which is higher in Birman cats than in other breeds, the serum concentration of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is comparable in clinically healthy Birmans and in the general feline population. This could allow, in this breed, to better evaluate chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods Serum creatinine and SDMA were measured in clinically healthy Birmans (n = 50) and in cats of other breeds (n = 46), and the results were statistically compared. A breed-specific reference interval (RI) was established for Birmans and compared with the RI for the general feline population (0.0-14.0 µg/dl). Results Creatinine (1.58 ± 0.36 mg/dl) and SDMA (12.2 ± 2.8 µg/dl) were higher ( P <0.001) in Birmans than in cats of other breeds (1.19 ± 0.17 mg/dl; 10.3 ± 2.5 µg/dl). In 20/50 Birman cats (40.0%) serum creatinine was higher than both the non-breed-specific RI of our laboratory and the threshold recommended to classify cats as IRIS stage 2 (1.6 mg/dl). The concentration of SDMA was higher than the pre-existing RI in 10/50 Birmans (20.0%) and in four cats of other breeds (8.7%). Among Birmans, the proportion of cats with SDMA >14 µg/dl was lower ( P <0.017) than the proportion of cats with creatinine >1.60 mg/dl. However, the deviation from the upper limit of the RI was lower than the analytical variability of the method in 7/10 Birmans and in 4/4 cats of other breeds. The breed-specific RI (3.5-18.7 µg/dl) overlapped with the pre-existing one. Conclusions and relevance SDMA may be a better marker of CKD in Birman cats than creatinine when non-breed-specific RIs are utilised. The coupled analysis of creatinine and SDMA could help prevent errors in diagnosing and staging CKD in Birman cats.

Frequency of electrophoretic changes consistent with feline infectious peritonitis in two different time periods (2004-2009 vs 2013-2014).

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the frequency of electrophoretic changes in serum of cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) changed in recent years vs past years. Methods Agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) from cats with FIP and healthy cats recorded in the periods 2004-2009 and 2013-2014 were retrospectively analysed. Relative and absolute values of each electrophoretic fraction were recorded and the number of cats showing single or combined electrophoretic changes consistent with FIP (hypoalbuminaemia, inverted albumin to globulin [A:G] ratio, increased total protein, total globulin, alpha [α]2-globulin and gamma [γ]-globulin concentration) were counted. Additionally, a visual analysis of electrophoretograms was also performed. Results for the two time periods were statistically compared. Results The details of 91 AGE procedures (41 from cats with FIP and 50 from healthy cats) and 45 CZE procedures (26 from cats with FIP and 19 from healthy cats) were obtained from the database. No significant differences between the two time periods were found both in FIP and in healthy cats analysed with CZE and in healthy cats analysed with AGE. Compared with 2004-2009, cats with FIP sampled in 2013-2014 with AGE showed a significantly lower concentration of total protein, γ-globulins and total globulins, and a significantly higher A:G ratio and percentage of albumin and α2-globulins. Using both AGE and CZE, in recent years the proportion of cats with high α2-globulins without gammopathy and the proportion of cats with gammopathy alone decreased. With a visual approach, the number of patterns considered as dubious increased in the second period with AGE (non-statistically significant). Conclusions and relevance The frequency of electrophoretic abnormalities in cats with FIP decreased in recent years, independently of the technique employed. Although the mechanism responsible for this change was not investigated in this study, this altered frequency may decrease the diagnostic accuracy of serum protein electrophoresis for FIP.

Molecular surveillance of traditional and emerging pathogens associated with canine infectious respiratory disease.

A molecular survey for traditional and emerging pathogens associated with canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) was conducted in Italy between 2011 and 2013 on a total of 138 dogs, including 78 early acute clinically ill CIRD animals, 22 non-clinical but exposed to clinically ill CIRD dogs and 38 CIRD convalescent dogs. The results showed that canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) was the most commonly detected CIRD pathogen, followed by canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV), Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma cynos, Mycoplasma canis and canine pneumovirus (CnPnV). Some classical CIRD agents, such as canine adenoviruses, canine distemper virus and canid herpesvirus 1, were not detected at all, as were not other emerging respiratory viruses (canine influenza virus, canine hepacivirus) and bacteria (Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus). Most severe forms of respiratory disease were observed in the presence of CPIV, CRCoV and M. cynos alone or in combination with other pathogens, whereas single CnPnV or M. canis infections were detected in dogs with no or very mild respiratory signs. Interestingly, only the association of M. cynos (alone or in combination with either CRCoV or M. canis) with severe clinical forms was statistically significant. The study, while confirming CPIV as the main responsible for CIRD occurrence, highlights the increasing role of recently discovered viruses, such as CRCoV and CnPnV, for which effective vaccines are not available in the market.

Invasive mould infections of the naso-orbital region of cats: a case involving Aspergillus fumigatus and an aetiological review.

CASE AND CONTEXT: This report describes a cat diagnosed with sinonasal-orbital Aspergillus fumigatus infection using advanced imaging, histopathology and culture. Aetiology, clinical aspects and treatment of this rare and devastating infection are discussed with reference to a literature review of invasive mould (ie, filamentous fungal) infections involving tissues of the naso-orbital region of cats. PRESENTATIONS: Invasive fungal infections can present with different localisations (nasal passages, sinuses, orbits, subcutaneous space, palate, etc) depending on the species involved and its means of introduction into the tissues. Localised subcutaneous lesions (swellings, ulcerations, masses, nodules, etc), without concomitant signs of nasal/orbital disease, generally result from traumatic injuries and subsequent inoculation of fungal spores into the subcutaneous space. In contrast, naso-ocular involvement and concurrent signs of nasal disease (nasal discharge, sneezing, masses protruding from the nostrils) generally result from inhalation of spores, with subsequent spread of infection into the nasal planum or penetration of overlying bone and invasion of the subcutaneous space. Aspergillus species typically show such an invasion mechanism and frequently affect orbital tissues. Dematiaceous fungi (ie, filamentous fungi with brown/black hyphae) are reported to cause solitary, less invasive, slowly developing lesions, probably as a result of traumatic injuries with inoculation of fungal propagules. Accordingly, the subcutaneous space is more frequently primarily involved. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Whatever the mould species, reported treatment options include surgery and a series of antifungal drugs. The outcome is frequently poor, especially for Aspergillus infections, although various measures can be taken to maximise the chances of success, as discussed in this report.