Cats and canine parvovirus

Clegg SR, Coyne KP, Dawson S, et al. Canine parvovirus in asymptomatic feline carriers. Vet Microbiol 2012;157:78-85.
 
Parvoviruses are important pathogens of dogs and cats, and have a high mutation rate. The canine strains that have emerged in recent years have the ability to infect and cause disease in cats as well as dogs. These investigators looked at the numbers of healthy cats in rescue shelters that harbor canine parvovirus in their feces. In fact, CPV was found in one-third of cats in a cat-only rescue shelter and a mixed rescue shelter. Interestingly, no feline parvovirus was found in these cats. Also interesting was the fact that none of the cats were clinically ill. This indicates that normal cats could potentially be shedding canine parvovirus and may be a potential source for dogs in the same environment. [MK]

See also: Battilani M, Balboni A, Ustulin M, et al. Genetic complexity and multiple infections with more Parvovirus species in naturally infected cats. Vet Res 2011;42:43. [free, full text article] 


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Clegg SR, Coyne KP, Dawson S, et al. Canine parvovirus in asymptomatic feline carriers. Vet Microbiol 2012;157:78-85.
 
Parvoviruses are important pathogens of dogs and cats, and have a high mutation rate. The canine strains that have emerged in recent years have the ability to infect and cause disease in cats as well as dogs. These investigators looked at the numbers of healthy cats in rescue shelters that harbor canine parvovirus in their feces. In fact, CPV was found in one-third of cats in a cat-only rescue shelter and a mixed rescue shelter. Interestingly, no feline parvovirus was found in these cats. Also interesting was the fact that none of the cats were clinically ill. This indicates that normal cats could potentially be shedding canine parvovirus and may be a potential source for dogs in the same environment. [MK]

See also: Battilani M, Balboni A, Ustulin M, et al. Genetic complexity and multiple infections with more Parvovirus species in naturally infected cats. Vet Res 2011;42:43. [free, full text article] 


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Parvovirus in cats and dogs

Stucker KM, Pagan I, Cifuente JO, et al. The role of evolutionary intermediates in the host adaptation of canine parvovirus. J Virol 2012;86:1514-1521.

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) emerged in the late 1970’s as a variant of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). By the early 1980’s, this variant was replaced by new variants that infected both dogs and cats (CPV-2a and -2b). Interestingly, it is now believed that raccoons may have played a role in the evolution of FPV and its adaptation to dogs, and re-adaptation to cats. Through analysis of all of these viruses and variants, the researchers were able to describe the complex sequence of events, involving small changes in the virus were necessary for these changes in host adaptations. Furthermore, they found that these changes had to occur in concert with one another in order for the adaptation to be successful. These findings show how complex this adaptation to new hosts is, and thus why it is not a common occurrence among viruses. [MK]

Related articles: Horiuchi M, Yamaguchi Y, Gojobori T, et al. Differences in the evolutionary pattern of feline panleukopenia virus and canine parvovirus. Virology 1998;249:440-452.

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Stucker KM, Pagan I, Cifuente JO, et al. The role of evolutionary intermediates in the host adaptation of canine parvovirus. J Virol 2012;86:1514-1521.

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) emerged in the late 1970’s as a variant of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). By the early 1980’s, this variant was replaced by new variants that infected both dogs and cats (CPV-2a and -2b). Interestingly, it is now believed that raccoons may have played a role in the evolution of FPV and its adaptation to dogs, and re-adaptation to cats. Through analysis of all of these viruses and variants, the researchers were able to describe the complex sequence of events, involving small changes in the virus were necessary for these changes in host adaptations. Furthermore, they found that these changes had to occur in concert with one another in order for the adaptation to be successful. These findings show how complex this adaptation to new hosts is, and thus why it is not a common occurrence among viruses. [MK]

Related articles: Horiuchi M, Yamaguchi Y, Gojobori T, et al. Differences in the evolutionary pattern of feline panleukopenia virus and canine parvovirus. Virology 1998;249:440-452.

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Feline Parvovirus

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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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.

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Fecal Parvovirus Testing in Cats

Neuerer, F. F., K. Horlacher, et al. (2008). "Comparison of different in-house test systems to detect parvovirus in faeces of cats." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(3): 247-251.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a common infection of domestic cats. The disease is highly contagious and associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in kittens. The virus is highly resistant and can survive up to 1 year in infected organic material. Clinical signs in cats are variable and leukopenia is not always present at the time of presentation. In-house tests for the detection of fecal canine parvovirus and/or FPV antigen for use in veterinary practice have become available. The close structural and antigenic relation of FPV and canine parvoviruses offers the possibility to test cats for FPV with the same test kit used for dogs. This study was designed to evaluate the strength and weaknesses of 5 commercial tests and to assess their sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. In total, 200 fecal samples from randomly selected healthy cats (148) and cats with diarrhea (52) were tested and compared with the results of examination by electron microscopy. Ten cats were positive for FPV and all of these had diarrhea. All tests were suitable to screen cats for fecal parvovirus excretion. In-house parvovirus tests may be positive up to 2 weeks after vaccination, and therefore, in recently vaccinated cats positive results do not necessarily mean infection.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Patterson, E. V., M. J. Reese, et al. (2007). "Effect of vaccination on parvovirus antigen testing in kittens." J Am Vet Med Assoc 230(3): 359-63.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Neuerer, F. F., K. Horlacher, et al. (2008). "Comparison of different in-house test systems to detect parvovirus in faeces of cats." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(3): 247-251.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a common infection of domestic cats. The disease is highly contagious and associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in kittens. The virus is highly resistant and can survive up to 1 year in infected organic material. Clinical signs in cats are variable and leukopenia is not always present at the time of presentation. In-house tests for the detection of fecal canine parvovirus and/or FPV antigen for use in veterinary practice have become available. The close structural and antigenic relation of FPV and canine parvoviruses offers the possibility to test cats for FPV with the same test kit used for dogs. This study was designed to evaluate the strength and weaknesses of 5 commercial tests and to assess their sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. In total, 200 fecal samples from randomly selected healthy cats (148) and cats with diarrhea (52) were tested and compared with the results of examination by electron microscopy. Ten cats were positive for FPV and all of these had diarrhea. All tests were suitable to screen cats for fecal parvovirus excretion. In-house parvovirus tests may be positive up to 2 weeks after vaccination, and therefore, in recently vaccinated cats positive results do not necessarily mean infection.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Patterson, E. V., M. J. Reese, et al. (2007). "Effect of vaccination on parvovirus antigen testing in kittens." J Am Vet Med Assoc 230(3): 359-63.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More