Frequency of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) in domestic cats from Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

Feline herpesvirus type 1 (HVF-1) is the infectious agent of feline viral rhinotracheitis. The main clinical signs are cough, nasal and eye discharge, fever, conjunctivitis and sneezing. Although the occurrence of the virus is known in some regions of Brazil, in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), there is no epidemiological information about its frequency. Thus, this study aimed to determine the frequency of feline herpesvirus type 1 in the region, and to evaluate its possible association with clinical and epidemiological factors. Ocular, nasal and oropharyngeal swabs, and blood were collected from 152 animals and analyzed through PCR and sequencing. In addition, epidemiological and clinical data were obtained through clinical examination and anamnesis. FHV-1 was detected in samples from 84 (55.26%) animals. There was no association between infection and age or sex. However, there was a significant association between infection and nasal (p < 0.0001) and ocular (p = 0.014) discharge and sneezing (p = 0.001). The results demonstrate the occurrence of the virus in domestic cats in the region with a high frequency of infection. Thus, FHV-1 should be considered as a potential causal agent of upper respiratory tract disease in domestic cats from Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.