Spiri, A. M., Meli, M. L., Riond, B., Herbert, I., Hosie, M. J. and Hofmann-Lehmann, R. (2019) Environmental contamination and hygienic measures after feline calicivirus field strain infections of cats in a research facility. Viruses, 11(10), 958. (doi: 10.3390/v11100958)
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Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) can cause painful oral ulcerations, salivation, gingivitis/stomatitis, fever and depression in infected cats; highly virulent virus variants can lead to fatal epizootic outbreaks. Viral transmission occurs directly or indirectly via fomites. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and viability of FCV in the environment after sequential oronasal infections of specified pathogen-free cats with two FCV field strains in a research facility. Replicating virus was detected in saliva swabs from all ten cats after the first and in four out of ten cats after the second FCV exposure using virus isolation to identify FCV shedders. In the environment, where cleaning, but no disinfection took place, FCV viral RNA was detectable using RT-qPCR on all tested items and surfaces, including cat hair. However, only very limited evidence was found of replicating virus using virus isolation. Viral RNA remained demonstrable for at least 28 days after shedding had ceased in all cats. Disinfection with 5% sodium bicarbonate (and IncidinTM Plus) and barrier measures were effective in that no viral RNA was detectable outside the cat rooms. Our findings are important for any multicat environment to optimize hygienic measures against FCV infection.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | Funding: A.M.S. was partly funded by the research grant (Forschungskredit) of the University of Zurich, grant number FK-53210-01-01 and by the research grant from the foundation “Stiftung für Kleintiere” of the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich. I.H. and M.J.H. were funded by an Industrial Partnership Ph.D. award from the University of Glasgow and Merial. |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Hosie, Professor Margaret and Herbert, Miss Imogen |
Authors: | Spiri, A. M., Meli, M. L., Riond, B., Herbert, I., Hosie, M. J., and Hofmann-Lehmann, R. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research |
Journal Name: | Viruses |
Publisher: | MDPI |
ISSN: | 1999-4915 |
ISSN (Online): | 1999-4915 |
Published Online: | 17 October 2019 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2019 by the authors |
First Published: | First published in Viruses 11(10):958 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
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