Detection of feline herpesvirus 1 DNA in skin biopsy specimens from cats with or without dermatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare detection rates of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) DNA in skin biopsy specimens from cats with herpetic dermatitis, cats with nonherpetic dermatitis, and cats without dermatitis.


METHODS
Prevalence survey. Animals-5 cats (9 biopsy specimens) with herpetic ulcerative dermatitis, 14 cats (17 biopsy specimens) with nonherpetic ulcerative dermatitis, and 8 cats (21 biopsy specimens) without clinically apparent skin lesions.


METHODS
A single-phase PCR assay was used to detect FHV-1 DNA in biopsy specimens. Assay results were compared with results of histologic examination.


RESULTS
FHV-1 DNA was detected in all 9 biopsy specimens from the 5 cats with herpetic dermatitis and in 1 of 17 biopsy specimens from the 14 cats with nonherpetic dermatitis, but was not detected in any of the 21 biopsy specimens from the 8 cats without dermatitis. When results of histologic examination were used as the gold standard, sensitivity and specificity of the PCR assay were 100% and 95%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Results confirmed that FHV-1 DNA can be detected in the skin of cats with herpetic dermatitis and suggest that the virus may play a causative role in the disease. In addition, the PCR assay may be useful in confirming a diagnosis of herpetic dermatitis.
Holland
Jessica L
JL
Departments of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Outerbridge
Catherine A
CA
Affolter
Verena K
VK
Maggs
David J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D004279:DNA, Viral