Feline morbillivirus: clinical relevance of a widespread endemic viral infection of cats

Pennisi, M. G. et al. (2023) Feline morbillivirus: clinical relevance of a widespread endemic viral infection of cats. Viruses, 15(10), 2087. (doi: 10.3390/v15102087) (PMID:37896864) (PMCID:PMC10611265)

Abstract

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was first isolated in 2012 from stray cats in Hong Kong. It has been found in association with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), the most common cause of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, viral host spectrum and virus tropism go beyond the domestic cat and kidney tissues. The viral genetic diversity of FeMV is extensive, but it is not known if this is clinically relevant. Urine and kidney tissues have been widely tested in attempts to confirm associations between FeMV infection and renal disease, but samples from both healthy and sick cats can test positive and some cross-sectional studies have not found associations between FeMV infection and CKD. There is also evidence for acute kidney injury following infection with FeMV. The results of prevalence studies differ greatly depending on the population tested and methodologies used for detection, but worldwide distribution of FeMV has been shown. Experimental studies have confirmed previous field observations that higher viral loads are present in the urine compared to other tissues, and renal TIN lesions associated with FeMV antigen have been demonstrated, alongside virus lymphotropism and viraemia-associated lymphopenia. Longitudinal field studies have revealed persistent viral shedding in urine, although infection can be cleared spontaneously.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: ABCD Europe gratefully acknowledges the support of Boehringer Ingelheim (the founding sponsor of the ABCD), Virbac, IDEXX, and MSD Animal Health.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hosie, Professor Margaret
• Authors: Pennisi, M. G., Belák, S., Tasker, S., Addie, D., Boucraut-Baralon, C., Egberink, H., Frymus, T., Hartmann, K., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., Lloret, A., Marsilio, F., Thiry, E., Truyen, U., Möstl, K., and Hosie, M. J.
• College/School: 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: 13 October 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 by the authors.
• First Published: First published in Viruses 15(10):2087
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license