Correlation of Feline Coronavirus Shedding in Feces with Coronavirus Antibody Titer.

Sandra Felten,Regina Hofmann-Lehmann,Stefan Unterer,Katrin Hartmann,Christian M Leutenegger,Ute Klein-Richers,Michèle Bergmann

doi:10.3390/pathogens9080598

Abstract

Background: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection is ubiquitous in multi-cat households. Responsible for the continuous presence are cats that are chronically shedding a high load of FCoV. The aim of the study was to determine a possible correlation between FCoV antibody titer and frequency and load of fecal FCoV shedding in cats from catteries. Methods: Four fecal samples from each of 82 cats originating from 19 German catteries were examined for FCoV viral loads by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, antibody titers were determined by an immunofluorescence assay. Results: Cats with antibodies were more likely to be FCoV shedders than non-shedders, and there was a weak positive correlation between antibody titer and mean fecal virus load (Spearman r = 0.2984; p = 0.0072). Antibody titers were significantly higher if cats shed FCoV more frequently throughout the study period (p = 0.0063). When analyzing only FCoV shedders, cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in all four samples had significantly higher antibody titers (p = 0.0014) and significantly higher mean fecal virus loads (p = 0.0475) than cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in only one, two, or three samples. Conclusions: The cats’ antibody titers correlate with the likelihood and frequency of FCoV shedding and fecal virus load. Chronic shedders have higher antibody titers and shed more virus. This knowledge is important for the management of FCoV infections in multi-cat environments, but the results indicate that antibody measurement cannot replace fecal RT-qPCR.

Highlights

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a viral pathogen infecting cats worldwide
FCoV in the cat population is very high; this is especially true for multi-cat households, in which prevalence can be as high as 90% [5,6,7]
Pathogens 2020, 9, 598 feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) [8], which arises from the mutation of the avirulent enteric FCoV

Summary

Introduction

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a viral pathogen infecting cats worldwide. It is highly contagious [1]: nearly 100% of cats become infected when exposed, usually horizontally via the fecal-oral route [2,3].the virus can persist in excretions in the environment for up to several weeks [4], rendering indirect transmission, e.g., via caregivers, a possible route of infection. Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a viral pathogen infecting cats worldwide It is highly contagious [1]: nearly 100% of cats become infected when exposed, usually horizontally via the fecal-oral route [2,3]. When analyzing only FCoV shedders, cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in all four samples had significantly higher antibody titers (p = 0.0014) and significantly higher mean fecal virus loads (p = 0.0475) than cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in only one, two, or three samples. Conclusions: The cats’ antibody titers correlate with the likelihood and frequency of FCoV shedding and fecal virus load. Chronic shedders have higher antibody titers and shed more virus This knowledge is important for the management of FCoV infections in multi-cat environments, but the results indicate that antibody measurement cannot replace fecal RT-qPCR

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Conclusion