Genetic characterization of parvoviruses identified in stray cats in Nigeria.

Parvoviruses are a major cause of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, leukopenia and high mortality in cats and dogs. In this study, the presence and genetic characteristics of parvoviruses circulating among cats in Nigeria are reported. Faecal samples of stray cats from live animal markets in southwestern (Oyo and Osun States) and north-central (Kwara State) Nigeria were screened for the presence of parvoviral DNA using a qPCR. Positive samples were further characterized using a qPCR based on minor groove binder probes. Overall, 85/102 (83.3 %) stray cats tested positive for feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) DNA and one cat was co-infected with canine parvovirus-2 type a. Sequence analysis of the complete capsid region of 15 Nigerian FPV strains revealed that they were up to 99.9 % similar to the American reference strain FPV-b at the nucleotide level, and three of them presented amino acid mutations in key capsid residues. This is the first report of identification and molecular characterization of FPV strains in cats in Nigeria. The high prevalence of the virus emphasizes the need for constant surveillance of the circulation of parvoviruses in Nigeria and underscores the need to deploy an effective vaccination strategy.

Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Feline panleukopenia virus from suspected domestic cats in selected Bangladesh regions.

Feline panleukopenia (FPL) is a highly contagious cat disease and is endemic in Bangladesh. The study aims to describe the epidemiology and molecular characterization of the Feline panleukopenia virus from the suspected domestic cats in selected Bangladesh regions. Randomly, 161 rectal swabs were collected from the pet hospitals between July 2021 and December 2022. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews with cat owners in order to collect data on potential risk factors for FPL, such as age, sex, sharing litter boxes and every day utensils in multicat households, vaccination history, hospital visits for other diseases, and season. The rectal swabs were tested by PCR targeting the VP2 capsid protein gene, and six PCR-positive samples were further sequenced for molecular characterizations. The risk factors for FPLV were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of FPL among suspects was 22.9%. The mortality and case fatality were 10.6%, and 45.9%, respectively. However, mortality in kittens was significantly higher (16.4%) than younger cats. The odds of FPL were 8.83 times (95% CI: 3.14-24.85) higher among unvaccinated cats than vaccinated cats. The winter season had almost six times (95% CI: 1.38-24.40) higher odds of FPL than rainy season. In a multicat house, the odds of FPL was about five times (95% CI: 1.93-13.45) higher for cats that shared a litter box and food utensils compared to those that did not engage in such sharing. Visiting hospitals for other reasons nearly triples the odds of FPL (OR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.04-7.54) compared to cats that do not visit hospitals. Analysis of partial sequence of the VP2 gene revealed genetic variations among the isolates from different regions. Among these isolates, four were identical to FPLV isolates from South Korea and China, while one showed complete homology with FPLV isolates from Thailand. In contrast, the remaining one was 100% identical to Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 isolated from a feline sample in Italy. Our isolates were classified into three distinct clades alongside Feline panleukopenia virus and Carnivore protoparvovirus-1. One in every three suspected cats was infected with Feline panleukopenia. Regular vaccination of the cats, especially those that share common litter box and food utensils and visit hospitals for other purposes, will help reduce the prevalence of FPL in Bangladesh. Besides, it is worth emphasizing the existence of genetic diversity among the circulating Feline panleukopenia viruses in Bangladesh.

[Parvovirus infections in cats in animal shelters]. / Parvovirus-Infektionen bei Katzen in Tierheimen.

Due to widespread vaccination programs against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), the disease associated with this virus infection, feline panleukopenia, is rarely seen in privately owned cats in Germany. In contrast, the situation in animal shelters differs due to the constant intake of new cats that are often unprotected. In such facilities, panleukopenia outbreaks are common and often accompanied by a high number of fatalities. Due to the high contagiosity of the virus, some shelters do not accept cats with clinical signs suspicious for panleukopenia, since these animals can pose a risk to the shelter population. However, not only cats with panleukopenia shed parvovirus, but also healthy, asymptomatic cats can and thus contribute to risk of infection. Nevertheless, the risk for panleukopenia outbreaks in animal shelters can be reduced by rigorous outbreak management. This includes hygiene measures using correctly applied cleaning and disinfection protocols, quarantine measures, separate isolation units, as well as specific prophylactic measures, such as identification of infected animals and immunization of susceptible groups.

Isolation of feline panleukopenia virus from Yanji of China and molecular epidemiology from 2021 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a widespread and highly infectious pathogen in cats with a high mortality rate. Although Yanji has a developed cat breeding industry, the variation of FPV locally is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to isolate and investigate the epidemiology of FPV in Yanji between 2021 and 2022. METHODS: A strain of FPV was isolated from F81 cells. Cats suspected of FPV infection (n = 80) between 2021 and 2022 from Yanji were enrolled in this study. The capsid protein 2 (VP2) of FPV was amplified. It was cloned into the pMD-19T vector and transformed into a competent Escherichia coli strain. The positive colonies were analyzed via VP2 Sanger sequencing. A phylogenetic analysis based on a VP2 coding sequence was performed to identify the genetic relationships between the strains. RESULTS: An FPV strain named YBYJ-1 was successfully isolated. The virus diameter was approximately 20-24 nm, 50% tissue culture infectious dose = 1 × 10-4.94/mL, which caused cytopathic effect in F81 cells. The epidemiological survey from 2021 to 2022 showed that 27 of the 80 samples were FPV-positive. Additionally, three strains positive for CPV-2c were unexpectedly found. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the 27 FPV strains belonged to the same group, and no mutations were found in the critical amino acids. CONCLUSIONS: A local FPV strain named YBYJ-1 was successfully isolated. There was no critical mutation in FPV in Yanji, but some cases with CPV-2c infected cats were identified.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus in Dogs from Italy and Egypt.

Canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) are variants of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1. We identified and characterized FPV in dogs from Italy and Egypt using genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Cost-effective sequencing strategies should be used to monitor interspecies spread, evolution dynamics, and potential host jumping of FPV.

Prevalence of protective feline panleukopenia antibody titers detected by a point-of-care enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cats presenting to a university emergency service.

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of protective antibody titers against feline panleukopenia (FPL) in cats presenting to an emergency service. Seventy-five cats presenting for care for any injury or illness were eligible for inclusion. Using American Association of Feline Practitioners guidelines, vaccine status - up-to-date, not up-to-date, or unconfirmed - was recorded. Titers against FPL were semi-quantified using a point-of-care test and were classified as protective or non-protective. Of the 75 cats enrolled, 49 had protective titers (65%), whereas 26 (35%) did not. Fifty cats (66.7%) were considered up-to-date, whereas 25 cats (33.3%) were not up-to-date or unconfirmed. Not all up-to-date cats had positive titers and some cats with lapsed vaccines were still considered protected. Of the up-to-date cats, 35/50 (70%) had protective titers, whereas 15 (30%) did not. Of the 25 cats that were not up-to-date, titers were considered protective in 14 (56%) and absent in 11 (44%). This study supports that even in cats considered up-to-date, it is possible that adequate protection against FPL is not present. Care should be taken to appropriately isolate cats affected with illness attributable to FPL from other cats and prevent inadvertent nosocomial transmission.

Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence des titres d'anticorps protecteurs contre la panleucopénie féline (FPL) chez des chats présentés à un service d'urgence. Soixante-quinze chats présentés pour diverses blessures et maladies étaient éligibles à l'inclusion. L'état de vaccination, à jour ou non à jour/non confirmé selon les directives de l'AAFP a été enregistré. Les titres de FPL ont été semi-quantifiés à l'aide d'un test au chevet du patient et ont été classés comme protecteurs ou non protecteurs. Sur les 75 chats inclus, 49 avaient des titres protecteurs (65 %), tandis que 26 (35 %) n'en avaient pas. Cinquante chats (66,7 %) ont été considérés comme à jour, tandis que 25 chats (33,3 %) étaient non à jour ou non confirmés. Parmi les chats à jour, 35/50 (70 %) avaient des titres protecteurs, tandis que 15 (30 %) n'en avaient pas. Sur les 25 chats qui étaient non à jour, les titres étaient considérés comme protecteurs chez 14 (56 %) et absents chez 11 (44 %). Les chats qui étaient à jour n'avaient pas uniformément des titres positifs, tandis que certains chats dont les vaccins n'étaient pas à jour étaient encore considérés comme protégés. Cette étude soutient que même chez les chats considérés à jour, il est possible qu'une protection adéquate contre la FPL ne soit pas présente. Des précautions doivent être prises pour isoler de manière appropriée les chats atteints de maladies attribuables à la panleucopénie féline des autres chats et éviter une transmission nosocomiale accidentelle.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Low Intrahost and Interhost Genetic Diversity of Carnivore Protoparvovirus 1 in Domestic Cats during a Feline Panleukopenia Outbreak.

Feline panleukopenia (FPL), a highly contagious and frequently fatal disease of cats, is caused by Feline parvovirus (FPV) and Canine parvovirus (CPV). We characterised the diversity of these Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 variants in 18 faecal samples collected from domestic cats with FPL during an outbreak, using targeted parvoviral DNA metagenomics to a mean depth of >10,000 × coverage per site. All samples comprised FPV alone. Compared with the reference FPV genome, isolated in 1967, 44 mutations were detected. Ten of these were nonsynonymous, including 9 in nonstructural genes and one in VP1/VP2 (Val232Ile), which was the only one to exhibit interhost diversity, being present in five sequences. There were five other polymorphic nucleotide positions, all with synonymous mutations. Intrahost diversity at all polymorphic positions was low, with subconsensus variant frequencies (SVF) of <1% except for two positions (2108 and 3208) in two samples with SVF of 1.1−1.3%. Intrahost nucleotide diversity was measured across the whole genome (0.7−1.5%) and for each gene and was highest in the NS2 gene of four samples (1.2−1.9%). Overall, intrahost viral genetic diversity was limited and most mutations observed were synonymous, indicative of a low background mutation rate and strong selective constraints.

The enteric virome of cats with feline panleukopenia differs in abundance and diversity from healthy cats.

Feline panleukopenia (FPL) is a severe, often fatal disease caused by feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). How infection with FPV might impact the composition of the entire eukaryotic enteric virome in cats has not been characterized. We used meta-transcriptomic and viral particle enrichment metagenomic approaches to characterize the enteric viromes of 23 cats naturally infected with FPV (FPV-cases) and 36 age-matched healthy shelter cats (healthy controls). Sequencing reads from mammalian infecting viral families largely belonged to the Coronaviridae, Parvoviridae and Astroviridae. The most abundant viruses among the healthy control cats were feline coronavirus, Mamastrovirus 2 and Carnivore bocaparvovirus 3 (feline bocavirus), with frequent coinfections of all three. Feline chaphamaparvovirus was only detected in healthy controls (6 out of 36, 16.7%). Among the FPV-cases, in addition to FPV, the most abundant viruses were Mamastrovirus 2, feline coronavirus and C. bocaparvovirus 4 (feline bocaparvovirus 2). The latter and feline bocaparvovirus 3 were detected significantly more frequently in FPV-cases than in healthy controls. Feline calicivirus was present in a higher proportion of FPV-cases (11 out of 23, 47.8%) compared to healthy controls (5 out of 36, 13.9%, p = 0.0067). Feline kobuvirus infections were also common among FPV-cases (9 out of 23, 39.1%) and were not detected in any healthy controls (p < .0001). While abundant in both groups, astroviruses were more frequently present in FPV-cases (19 out of 23, 82.6%) than in healthy controls (18 out of 36, p = .0142). The differences in eukaryotic virome composition revealed here indicate that further investigations are warranted to determine associations between enteric viral co-infections on clinical disease severity in cats with FPL.

Prevalence, co-infection and seasonality of fecal enteropathogens from diarrheic cats in the Republic of Korea (2016-2019): a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is one of the most common clinical symptoms in cats and can be caused by infectious pathogens and investigation of the prevalence, co-infection and seasonality of enteropathogens are not well-established in diarrheic cats. RESULTS: Fecal samples of 1620 diarrheic cats were collected and enteropathogens were detected using real-time PCR. We retrospectively investigated the clinical features, total/seasonal prevalence, and infection patterns of enteropathogens. The positive infection rate was 82.59%. Bacterial, viral, and protozoal infections accounted for 49.3, 37.57, and 13.13% of cases, respectively. Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) was the most common pathogen (29.37%), followed by Clostridium (C.) perfringens, Campylobacter (C.) coli, feline parvovirus, and Tritrichomonas foetus. The seasonality of enteropathogens was observed with peaks as follows: bacterial infections peaked in October, viral infections peaked in November, and protozoal infections peaked in August. Viral and protozoal infections showed differences in prevalence according to patient age. In the infection patterns, the ratios of single infections, mixed infections, and co-infections were 35.72, 9.87, and 54.41%, respectively. FECV was predominant in single infections. The most common patterns of multiple infections were C. perfringens and C. coli in mixed infections and C. perfringens and FECV in co-infections. CONCLUSIONS: Infection patterns differed according to the enteropathogen species, seasonality, and age distribution in cats. The results of this study might be helpful to understand in clinical characteristics of feline infectious diarrhea. In addition, continued monitoring of feline enteropathogens is required.

Genetic Insights into Feline Parvovirus: Evaluation of Viral Evolutionary Patterns and Association between Phylogeny and Clinical Variables.

Feline panleukopenia is a severe disease of cats caused by feline parvovirus (FPV), and marginally canine parvovirus (CPV). Despite being less rapid than CPV, FPV evolution deserves attention, especially since outbreaks of particular severity are currently reported. This apparently different virulence needs monitoring from genetic and clinical points of view. This manuscript explored FPV molecular epidemiology at both Italian and international levels and the possible association between viral phylogeny and disease severity. Sequences from clinical cases of feline panleukopenia in Italy were obtained from 2011 to 2019, and the etiological agent was characterized, distinguishing FPV from CPV. Phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses were conducted on Italian and international sequences. Moreover, the association between the viral sequence and clinical variables was evaluated on a group of highly characterized patients. After its origin in the 1920s, FPV showed a constant population size until a more recent expansion since 2000. Few long-distance introduction events characterized FPV spreading, however, most of its evolution occurred locally. Although without a strong statistical association, several clinical variables appeared influenced by viral phylogeny, suggesting a differential virulence potentially characterizing FPV strains. These results stress the importance of the continuous study of viral evolution and its repercussions on the disease clinical aspects.

A pre- and during Pandemic Survey of Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Stray Colony and Shelter Cats from a High Endemic Area of Northern Italy.

Cats are susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Whilst a number of studies have been performed worldwide on owned cats, limited data are available on stray, colony or shelter cats. We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection in a stray cat population before and during human outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in cities in the Lombardy region in northern Italy, a high endemic region for SARS-CoV-2, using serological and molecular methods. A cohort of different samples were collected from 241 cats, including frozen archived serum samples from 136 cats collected before the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and serum, pharyngeal and rectal swab samples from 105 cats collected during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. All pre-pandemic samples tested seronegative for antibodies against the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, while one serum sample collected during the pandemic was seropositive. No serological cross-reactivity was detected between SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and antibodies against feline enteric (FECV) and infectious peritonitis coronavirus (FIPC), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Feline Parvovirus (FPV), Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Toxoplasma gondii or Chlamydophila felis. No pharyngeal or rectal swab tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA on real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Our data show that SARS-CoV-2 did infect stray cats in Lombardy during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with lower prevalence than found in owned cats. This should alleviate public concerns about stray cats acting as SARS-CoV-2 carriers.

Prevalence of astrovirus and parvovirus in Japanese domestic cats.

Feces obtained from 204 domestic cats with gastrointestinal symptoms were genetically examined for feline astrovirus (FeAstV) and feline parvovirus (FPV), both of which are known feline gastroenteric viruses. FeAstV detection rates were significantly higher in winter (44.4%) than in other seasons, and in cats under a year old (27.8%) than in a year or older ones (12.4%) (P<0.05). In contrast, no significant seasonal and age differences were obtained in FPV detection rates. Upon FeAstV ORF2 sequence analysis, the 23 present isolates were classified into the same clade (Mamastrovirus 2) as the 18 reference strains from other countries. Our findings suggest that FeAstV is already circulating in Japan, and it is more prevalent in juvenile cats in winter, unlike FPV.

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

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 ofthis study was to (i) determine the prevalence and predictors of seroprotective titres to FPV amongshelter-housed and owned cats, and (ii) compare the prevalence of seroprotection between a regionaffected and unaffected by FPL outbreaks. FPV antibodies were detected by haemagglutinationinhibition assay on sera from 523 cats and titres ≥1:40 were considered protective. Socioeconomicindices based on postcode and census data were included in the risk factor analysis. The prevalenceof protective FPV antibody titres was high overall (94.3%), even though only 42% of cats wereknown to be vaccinated, and was not significantly different between outbreak and non-outbreakregions. On multivariable logistic regression analysis vaccinated cats were 29.94 times more likelyto have protective FPV titres than cats not known to be vaccinated. Cats from postcodes of relativelyless socioeconomic disadvantage were 5.93 times more likely to have protective FPV titres. Thepredictors identified for FPV seroprotective titres indicate targeted vaccination strategies in regionsof socioeconomic disadvantage would be beneficial to increase population immunity. The criticallevel of vaccine coverage required to halt FPV transmission and prevent FPL outbreaks should bedetermined.

Distinct Lineages of Feline Parvovirus Associated with Epizootic Outbreaks in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

Feline panleukopenia (FPL), a frequently fatal disease of cats, is caused by feline parvovirus (FPV) or canine parvovirus (CPV). We investigated simultaneous outbreaks of FPL between 2014 and 2018 in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where FPL outbreaks had not been reported for several decades. Case data from 989 cats and clinical samples from additional 113 cats were obtained to determine the cause of the outbreaks and epidemiological factors involved. Most cats with FPL were shelter-housed, 9 to 10 weeks old at diagnosis, unvaccinated, had not completed a primary vaccination series or had received vaccinations noncompliant with current guidelines. Analysis of parvoviral VP2 sequence data confirmed that all FPL cases were caused by FPV and not CPV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each of these outbreaks was caused by a distinct FPV, with two virus lineages present in eastern Australia and virus movement between different geographical locations. Viruses from the UAE outbreak formed a lineage of unknown origin. FPV vaccine virus was detected in the New Zealand cases, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing the co-incidental shedding of vaccine virus in vaccinated cats. Inadequate vaccination coverage in shelter-housed cats was a common factor in all outbreaks, likely precipitating the multiple re-emergence of infection events.

Feline Panleukopenia: A Re-emergent Disease.

Feline panleukopenia (FPL) is caused by a Carnivore protoparvovirus infection. Feline parvovirus (FPV) causes most cases. When Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) first emerged, it could not replicate in cats. All current CPV variants (CPV-2a-c) can infect cats to cause subclinical disease or FPL. Feline panleukopenia has re-emerged in Australia in shelter cats associated with failure to vaccinate. Parvoviruses can remain latent in mononuclear cells post-infection. Molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction are used to determine the infecting strain. Current perspectives on causes, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognostic indicators, and management of outbreaks in shelters are reviewed.

Prevalence of serum antibody titres against feline panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus infections in stray cats of Milan, Italy.

The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) in stray colony cats from Milan, Italy. Cats were divided in groups based on age, gender, reproductive status, health status and colony of origin. Blood samples were tested with an in-clinic ELISA test. The possible presence of a link between the antibody titre or the presence of seropositive results and the independent variables (age, gender, reproductive status, health status and colony location) was assessed by means of multinomial and univariate logistic regression models, respectively. Seroprevalence of 85.4% was reported for FCV. The diffusion of the other two pathogens in the cat population was much lower compared to FCV, with 45.7% and 37.1% seroprevalence observed for FPV and FHV-1, respectively. An increase of antibody titres from kitten to senior was generally observed for the three pathogens. Age was a statistically significant variable for FHV-1, with senior cats significantly associated with higher antibody titres and higher percentages of seropositive animals compared to younger age groups. Neutered cats had significantly higher antibody titres and showed significantly higher FHV-1 seroprevalences compared to sexually intact cats. Colonies from two of the nine administrative districts of Milan showed significantly higher FPV seroprevalences compared to the others. No other significant differences were observed. Our results, based on cats belonging to 70 different colonies located in urban areas far from each other, suggest that the three viruses circulate in the feline population of stray cats in Milan. The feline calicivirus represents the most common circulating pathogen, as observed also in other studies worldwide. Finally, our results suggest that stray cats may be not adequately protected against FPV, FHV-1 and FCV and vaccination could be a possible strategic solution, especially for FPV.

Genetic characterization of parvoviruses in domestic cats in Henan province, China.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) infections are highly contagious and cause serious enteric diseases, with high fatality rates of cats and dogs. Given the importance of cats as a potential source of genetic diversity for parvoviruses, parvovirus strains detected in cats with gastroenteritis signs were analysed, and molecular characterisation, sequence analysis and phylogeny were evaluated on the VP2 gene. The results showed that FPV, new CPV-2a, and CPV-2 are co-circulating in the cat population in Henan province of China. Moreover, CPV-2 strains (F2016020, and F2016021) with Ser297Ala substitution in VP2 protein was for the first time detected in cats with clinical gastroenteritis. This study provided new important findings about the evolutionary of parvovirus infection in domestic cats.

Survival estimates and outcome predictors for shelter cats with feline panleukopenia virus infection.

OBJECTIVE To determine survival estimates and outcome predictors for shelter cats with feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infection. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 177 shelter cats with FPV infection. PROCEDURES Medical records of cats treated for FPV infection from 2011 through 2013 were reviewed to collect information pertaining to signalment; history; results of physical examination, CBC, serum biochemical analysis, and blood gas analysis; and treatments (antimicrobials, antiparasitics, antivirals, antiemetics, analgesics, crystalloid or colloid solutions, and blood products). Survival time and outcome predictors were determined by means of Kaplan-Meier estimation, logistic regression, and mixed-model ANOVA. RESULTS Median survival time after hospital admission was 3 days; 20.3% (36/177) of cats survived to discharge from the hospital. Risk of nonsurvival was greater in cats with (vs without) signs of lethargy, rectal temperature < 37.9°C (I00.2°F), or low body weight at hospital admission. Lower (vs higher) leukocyte count on days 3,4, and 7 of hospitalization, but not at admission, was associated with nonsurvival. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, antiparasitics, and maropitant but not interferon-ω were associated with survival, whereas glucose infusion was associated with nonsurvival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that FPV infection carried a poor prognosis for shelter cats. Several variables measured at admission or during hospitalization were associated with outcome. Remarkably and contrary to the existing literature, leukopenia at admission had no association with outcome, possibly owing to early prevention of complications.

Genetic Analysis of Feline Panleukopenia Virus Full-length VP2 Gene in Domestic Cats Between 2006-2008 and 2012-2014, Portugal.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) are two closely related viruses, which cause acute gastroenteritis in carnivores, and cats may be infected by strains of both viruses. The viruses are found worldwide and may have changing host ranges and genetic variation that can be found around the world in some cases. Here, we screened a Portuguese population of cats by a conventional PCR assay for the presence of FPV/CPV viruses in faecal samples and tissues between 2006-2008 and 2012-2014. The sequence analysis of the complete VP2 gene showed that 18 of 31 animals tested were positive for FPV DNA, and no case of CPV infection was detected. The analysis of specific DNA detected three new non-synonymous substitutions in the VP2 gene that were found in single groups and were related to viruses reported elsewhere by phylogenetic analysis - some were related to Italian isolates, one was closely related to isolates from Vietnam and China, and two were related with older strains from the USA. The results of our study show that FPV circulated in the Portuguese cat population and as expected the found strains are slightly divergent from those reported previously.

Feline panleukopaenia virus in captive non-domestic felids in South Africa.

An outbreak of feline panleukopaenia virus (FPLV) infection was diagnosed by pathology, electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in vaccinated captive-bred subadult cheetahs in South Africa. Subsequent to this disease outbreak, 12 cases of FPLV diagnosed on histology were confirmed by PCR in captive African black-footed cat, caracal, cheetah, lion, ocelot and serval. Phylogenetic analyses of the viral capsid protein gene on PCR-positive samples, vaccine and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reference strains identified a previously unknown strain of FPLV, present since at least 2006, that differs from both the inactivated and the modified live vaccine strains. A previously described South African strain from domestic cats and cheetahs was identified in a serval. Surveys of FPLV strains in South African felids are needed to determine the geographical and host species distribution of this virus. Since non-domestic species may be reservoirs of parvoviruses, and since these viruses readily change host specificity, the risks of FPLV transmission between captive-bred and free-ranging carnivores and domestic cats and dogs warrant further research.