Detection of feline herpesvirus-specific antibodies and DNA in aqueous humor from cats with or without uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether uveitis in cats was associated with intraocular production of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)-specific antibodies or with detection of FHV-1 DNA in aqueous humor (AH).


METHODS
44 cats with idiopathic uveitis, 29 cats with uveitis attributed to Toxoplasma gondii infection, 13 FHV-1 seropositive cats without uveitis, and 9 FHV-1 seronegative cats without uveitis.


METHODS
ELISA were used to detect FHV-1-specific antibodies and total IgG antibodies in serum and AH, and the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (C-value) for intraocular antibody production was calculated. A polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect FHV-1 DNA in AH.


RESULTS
FHV-1 seroprevalence among cats with uveitis was not significantly different from seroprevalence among cats without uveitis. Intraocular FHV-1 antibodies were never detected in cats without uveitis. Significantly more cats with idiopathic uveitis (22/44) or with toxoplasmic uveitis (11/29) had evidence of intraocular antibody production (C-value > 1) than did cats without uveitis. Only cats with idiopathic uveitis had FHV-1 C-values > 8. Among cats with evidence of intraocular antibody production, cats with idiopathic uveitis had a significantly higher median FHV-1 C-value (9.61) than did cats with toxoplasmic uveitis (2.56). Overall, FHV-1 DNA was detected in AH from 12 cats, 11 of which had uveitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that FHV-1 can infect intraocular tissues of cats and that intraocular FHV-1 infection may be associated with uveal inflammation in some cats.
Maggs
D J
DJ
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
Lappin
M R
MR
Nasisse
M P
MP
D018138:Alphaherpesvirinae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000276:immunology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral