Mutation analysis of the spike protein in Italian feline infectious peritonitis virus and feline enteric coronavirus sequences.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) exists as two different genotypes, FCoV type I and II, each including two biotypes, feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), the latter being a virulent variant originating from the former virus. Recently, two amino acid substitutions, M1058L and S1060A, within the spike protein have been associated to the FECV/FIPV virulence change. In this study, we have analysed the frequency of detection of such mutations in FIPV and FECV strains circulating in Italian cats and obtained information about their evolutionary relationships with reference isolates. A total of 40 FCoV strains, including 19 strains from effusions or tissue samples of FIP cats and 21 strains from faecal samples of non-FIP cats, were analysed. Mutation M1058L was detected in 16/18 FCoV-I and 1/1 FCoV-II strains associated with FIP, while change S1060A was presented by two FIPV strains. By phylogenetic analysis, FCoV sequences clustered according to the genotype but not according to the biotype, with FECV/FIPV strains recovered from the same animal being closely related. Further studies are needed to better define the genetic signatures associated with the FECV/FIPV virulence shift.

Evaluation of an in-clinic assay for the diagnosis of canine parvovirus.

The results of a study designed to evaluate the performance of an in-clinic test for the detection of canine parvovirus (CPV) are reported. A total of 150 faecal samples collected from dogs with acute diarrhoea were tested using the in-clinic test, a haemagglutination assay (HA) and a real-time PCR assay for CPV detection, quantification and characterisation. CPV was detected in 66, 73, and 101 faecal samples by in-clinic, HA and PCR testing, respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the in-clinic test were 86.3% and 96.1%, respectively, when the test was compared to HA, and 65.3% and 100%, respectively, when compared to real-time PCR. The sample distribution according to the virus type was CPV-2a, n=44; CPV-2b, n=11; CPV-2c, n=44, CPV-2, n=2, as determined by minor groove binder probe assays and/or sequence analysis. The percentage of positive in-clinic tests was 70.5% for CPV-2a, 72.7% for CPV-2b and 75.0% for CPV-2c (P>0.05). Using real-time PCR as the reference standard for CPV detection, the in-clinic test was more specific than HA and had comparable sensitivity to HA, demonstrating detection rates similar to those previously observed for other rapid in-clinic tests. The in-clinic test was also able to detect all CPV types at equivalent rates.

Infectious canine hepatitis: an "old" disease reemerging in Italy.

Four outbreaks of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) occurring in Italy between 2001 and 2006 are reported. Three outbreaks were observed in animal shelters of southern Italy, whereas a fourth outbreak involved two purebred pups imported from Hungary few days before the onset of clinical symptoms. In all outbreaks canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) was identified by virus isolation and PCR. In three outbreaks, other canine viral pathogens were detected, including canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus or canine coronavirus. The present study shows that CAV-1 is currently circulating in the Italian dog population and that vaccination is still required.