Abstract
Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was isolated for the first time in 2012 with an association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suggested. This study aimed at investigating in cats from southern Italy FeMV prevalence and risk factors for exposure to FeMV, including the relationship with CKD; sequencing amplicons and analyzing phylogeny of PCR positive samples. Blood serum, K3EDTA blood and urine samples from 223 cats were investigated. Ten carcasses were also evaluated. FeMV RNA was detected in 2.4% (5/211) blood and 16.1% (36/223) urine samples. One carcass tested positive by qPCRFeMV from kidney, urinary bladder, and submandibular lymph nodes. Antibodies against FeMV were detected in 14.5% (28/193) cats. We followed up 27 cats (13 FeMV positive cats) and documented in some cases urine shedding after up to 360 days. Older and foundling cats and cats living in rescue catteries, were more frequently infected with FeMV. A significant correlation between FeMV and higher serum creatinine values or low urine specific gravity was found. FeMV positivity was significantly associated with retroviral infection, and the presence of some clinical signs apart from CKD clinicopathological markers. Our study highlights the possibility of a link between FeMV exposure and CKD and a general impairment of feline health.
Highlights
IntroductionIn 2009, feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was isolated for the first time from stray cats (Felis silvestris catus) in Hong Kong [1,2,3,4]
feline morbillivirus (FeMV) infection can result in a discontinuous RNA urinary shedding, as we found in the followed-up cats, with a possible negative misdiagnosis when a cross sectional evaluation tests a single urine sample per cat [18]
Feline morbillivirus is widely present in Southern Italy, with older and foundling cats being more frequently infected, as well as cats living in rescue catteries
Summary
In 2009, feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was isolated for the first time from stray cats (Felis silvestris catus) in Hong Kong [1,2,3,4]. An association between FeMV infection and tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and glomeruolosclerosis has been suggested [2,3,15,16,19]. TIN and renal fibrosis are the end-stage histological patterns associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by different causative agents [27]. CKD is a common feline disease with higher morbility and mortality in older individuals, but the underlying cause of CKD remains often unknown [27,28,29]
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