Battilani M, Balboni A, Ustulin M et al: Genetic complexity and multiple infections with more Parvovirus species in naturally infected cats, Veterinary research 42:43, 2011.
The parvoviruses affecting dogs and cats are very closely related and cause similar disease. Several strains of canine parvovirus (CPV) can infect and cause disease in cats, including CPV-2a, -2b, and -2c. This opens up the possibility that a cat could be infected with feline parvovirus (FPV) as well as CPV. These researchers in Italy analyzed the parvoviruses infecting 24 cats. While 22 of the cats had FPV, there was evidence of CPV infection in two of the cats. One cat had CPV-2c, while the other had both FPV and CPV-2a – coinfection with two different viruses. In addition, it was noted that the CPV strains infecting both cats were relatively genetically diverse; that is, these viruses appeared to be re-adapting to the feline host. The researchers speculate that infected cats could potentially be a source of new parvovirus variants. [MK]
Related articles:
Kruse BD, Unterer S, Horlacher K et al: Prognostic factors in cats with feline panleukopenia, J Vet Intern Med 24:1271, 2010.
More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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