title: Detection of feline herpes virus 1 via polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in cats with ulcerative facial dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma complex reaction patterns and mosquito bite hypersensitivity.
abstract: Ulcerative dermatitis caused by feline herpes virus 1 (FHV-1) is an uncommon disease characterized by cutaneous ulcers secondary to epidermal, adnexal and dermal necrosis. Differential diagnoses for FHV-1 lesions include, but are not limited to, mosquito bite hypersensitivity and eosinophilic granuloma complex. Histopathological diagnosis of FHV-1 dermatitis is based on the detection of the intranuclear inclusion bodies. In cases where intranuclear inclusions are missing but clinical and histological findings are compatible with FHV-1 dermatitis, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and PCRs have been used. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the presence of FHV-1 by IHC and PCR in skin biopsies and compared the results of the two tests. Sixty-four skin biopsy specimens from cats with compatible lesions were reviewed and tested via PCR and IHC for evidence of FHV-1. Polymerase chain reaction was positive in 12 of 64 biopsies; PCR and IHC were positive only in two of 64 biopsies, and these cases were considered true positive cases. The higher number of PCR-positive cases was possibly attributed to amplification of viral DNA from a live attenuated vaccination, but a previous FHV-1 infection with subsequent amplification of latently inserted FHV-1 could not be excluded. If clinical signs and histopathology suggest FHV-1 infection in the absence of typical inclusion bodies, IHC is the preferred diagnostic test; PCR may be useful for initial screening, but due to false positives is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Ambulatorio Veterinario Dott.ssa Jommi Elena, Via Fabio Filzi, 14 20124 Milano, Italy. mp.persico@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Persico
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roccabianca
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vercelli
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cornegliani
mesh_terms: D018138:Alphaherpesvirinae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D009033:Culicidae; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology