Chlamydophila felis infection. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydophila felis is a Gram-negative bacterium and its primary target is the conjunctiva. The bacterium does not survive outside the host.


BACKGROUND
Transmission requires close contact between cats; ocular secretions are probably the most important body fluid for infection. Most cases occur in cats under 1 year of age. Chlamydophila felis is the infectious organism most frequently associated with conjunctivitis.


METHODS
Unilateral ocular disease generally progresses to become bilateral. There can be intense conjunctivitis with extreme hyperaemia of the nictitating membrane, blepharospasm and ocular discomfort. Transient fever, inappetence and weight loss may occur shortly after infection, although most cats remain well and continue to eat.


METHODS
PCR techniques are now preferred for diagnosing C felis infection. Ocular swabs are generally used. In unvaccinated cats, antibody detection can be used to indicate infection.


METHODS
Tetracyclines are generally regarded as the antibiotics of choice. Doxycycline has the advantage of requiring only single daily administration and is given at a dose of 10 mg/kg orally. Vaccination should be considered if there is a history of confirmed chlamydial disease in a shelter. Single housing and routine hygiene measures should suffice to avoid cross-infection. Cats maintained together for longer terms should be vaccinated regularly. In breeding catteries where C felis infection is endemic, the first step should be to treat all cats with doxycycline for at least 4 weeks. Once clinical signs have been controlled, the cats should be vaccinated.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaccination should be considered for cats at risk of exposure to infection. Vaccination generally begins at 8-10 weeks of age, with a second injection 3-4 weeks later. Annual boosters are recommended for cats at continued risk of exposure.
Gruffydd-Jones
Tim
T
European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD). tim.gruffydd-jones@bristol.ac.uk
Addie
Diane
D
Belák
Sándor
S
Boucraut-Baralon
Corine
C
Egberink
Herman
H
Frymus
Tadeusz
T
Hartmann
Katrin
K
Hosie
Margaret J
MJ
Lloret
Albert
A
Lutz
Hans
H
Marsilio
Fulvio
F
Pennisi
Maria Grazia
MG
Radford
Alan D
AD
Thiry
Etienne
E
Truyen
Uwe
U
Horzinek
Marian C
MC
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D002415:Cats; D023501:Chlamydophila / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012952:Societies; D014481:United States; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000592:standards*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines