Abstract
Feline coronaviruses (FCoV) comprise two biotypes: feline enteric coronaviruses (FECV) and
feline infectious peritonitis viruses (FIPV). FECV is associated with asymptomatic persistent enteric
infections, while FIPV causes feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a usually fatal systemic disease in domestic
cats and some wild Felidae. FIPV arises from FECV by mutation. FCoV also occur in two serotypes, I and
II, of which the serotype I viruses are by far the most prevalent in the field. Yet, most of our knowledge
about FCoV infections relates to serotype II viruses, particularly about the FIPV, mainly because type I
viruses grow poorly in cell culture. Hence, the aim of the present work was the detailed study of the
epidemiologically most relevant viruses, the avirulent serotype I viruses. Kittens were inoculated oronasally
with different doses of two independent FECV field strains, UCD and RM. Persistent infection could be
reproducibly established. The patterns of clinical symptoms, faecal virus shedding and seroconversion were
monitored for up to 10 weeks revealing subtle but reproducible differences between the two viruses. Faecal
virus, i.e. genomic RNA, was detected during persistent FECV infection only in the large intestine,
downstream of the appendix, and could occasionally be observed also in the blood. The implications of our
results, particularly our insights into the persistently infected state, are discussed.
feline infectious peritonitis viruses (FIPV). FECV is associated with asymptomatic persistent enteric
infections, while FIPV causes feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a usually fatal systemic disease in domestic
cats and some wild Felidae. FIPV arises from FECV by mutation. FCoV also occur in two serotypes, I and
II, of which the serotype I viruses are by far the most prevalent in the field. Yet, most of our knowledge
about FCoV infections relates to serotype II viruses, particularly about the FIPV, mainly because type I
viruses grow poorly in cell culture. Hence, the aim of the present work was the detailed study of the
epidemiologically most relevant viruses, the avirulent serotype I viruses. Kittens were inoculated oronasally
with different doses of two independent FECV field strains, UCD and RM. Persistent infection could be
reproducibly established. The patterns of clinical symptoms, faecal virus shedding and seroconversion were
monitored for up to 10 weeks revealing subtle but reproducible differences between the two viruses. Faecal
virus, i.e. genomic RNA, was detected during persistent FECV infection only in the large intestine,
downstream of the appendix, and could occasionally be observed also in the blood. The implications of our
results, particularly our insights into the persistently infected state, are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 71 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Veterinary Research |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |