title: Chlamydophila felis infection. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD). tim.gruffydd-jones@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gruffydd-Jones
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Addie
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belák
authors.forename: Corine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boucraut-Baralon
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Egberink
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frymus
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Margaret J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hosie
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lloret
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marsilio
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiry
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Truyen
authors.forename: Marian C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Horzinek
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines