Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review

Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are found throughout the world. Infection with FCoV can result in a diverse range of signs from clinically inapparent infections to a highly fatal disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP is one of the most serious viral diseases of cats. While there is ne...

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Main Authors: Saeed Sharif, Siti Suri Arshad, Mohd Hair-Bejo, Abdul Rahman Omar, Nazariah Allaudin Zeenathul, Amer Alazawy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2010/809480
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author Saeed Sharif
Siti Suri Arshad
Mohd Hair-Bejo
Abdul Rahman Omar
Nazariah Allaudin Zeenathul
Amer Alazawy
author_facet Saeed Sharif
Siti Suri Arshad
Mohd Hair-Bejo
Abdul Rahman Omar
Nazariah Allaudin Zeenathul
Amer Alazawy
author_sort Saeed Sharif
collection DOAJ
description Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are found throughout the world. Infection with FCoV can result in a diverse range of signs from clinically inapparent infections to a highly fatal disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP is one of the most serious viral diseases of cats. While there is neither an effective vaccine, nor a curative treatment for FIP, a diagnostic protocol for FCoV would greatly assist in the management and control of the virus. Clinical findings in FIP are non-specific and not helpful in making a differential diagnosis. Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in FIP cases are also non-specific. The currently available serological tests have low specificity and sensitivity for detection of active infection and cross-react with FCoV strains of low pathogenicity, the feline enteric coronaviruses (FECV). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to detect FCoV and is rapid and sensitive, but results must be interpreted in the context of clinical findings. At present, a definitive diagnosis of FIP can be established only by histopathological examination of biopsies. This paper describes and compares diagnostic methods for FCoVs and includes a brief account of the virus biology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis.
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spelling doaj-art-e5c63bdd8de3437f8acbd1184dd3a9c72025-08-20T03:26:20ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine International2042-00482010-01-01201010.4061/2010/809480809480Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A ReviewSaeed Sharif0Siti Suri Arshad1Mohd Hair-Bejo2Abdul Rahman Omar3Nazariah Allaudin Zeenathul4Amer Alazawy5Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor D. E. 43400, MalaysiaDepartment of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor D. E. 43400, MalaysiaDepartment of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor D. E. 43400, MalaysiaDepartment of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor D. E. 43400, MalaysiaDepartment of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor D. E. 43400, MalaysiaDepartment of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor D. E. 43400, MalaysiaFeline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are found throughout the world. Infection with FCoV can result in a diverse range of signs from clinically inapparent infections to a highly fatal disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP is one of the most serious viral diseases of cats. While there is neither an effective vaccine, nor a curative treatment for FIP, a diagnostic protocol for FCoV would greatly assist in the management and control of the virus. Clinical findings in FIP are non-specific and not helpful in making a differential diagnosis. Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in FIP cases are also non-specific. The currently available serological tests have low specificity and sensitivity for detection of active infection and cross-react with FCoV strains of low pathogenicity, the feline enteric coronaviruses (FECV). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to detect FCoV and is rapid and sensitive, but results must be interpreted in the context of clinical findings. At present, a definitive diagnosis of FIP can be established only by histopathological examination of biopsies. This paper describes and compares diagnostic methods for FCoVs and includes a brief account of the virus biology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis.http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2010/809480
spellingShingle Saeed Sharif
Siti Suri Arshad
Mohd Hair-Bejo
Abdul Rahman Omar
Nazariah Allaudin Zeenathul
Amer Alazawy
Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review
Veterinary Medicine International
title Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review
title_full Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review
title_fullStr Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review
title_short Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review
title_sort diagnostic methods for feline coronavirus a review
url http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2010/809480
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