title: Molecular characterization and virus neutralization patterns of severe, non-epizootic forms of feline calicivirus infections resembling virulent systemic disease in cats in Switzerland and in Liechtenstein.
abstract: Feline calicivirus (FCV) infections are associated with oral ulceration, chronic stomatitis and a limping syndrome. Epizootic outbreaks of virulent systemic disease (VSD) have been reported in the USA and Europe. Here, the molecular characterization and neutralization patterns of FCV isolates from cases of severe, non-epizootic infection associated with skin ulceration and edema are presented. Samples from eleven symptomatic cats, four in-contact cats and 27 cats with no contact with symptomatic cats were collected and tested for FCV, feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Phylogenetic analyses based on the capsid (VP1) gene of FCV and virus neutralization with antisera raised against four FCV vaccine strains were performed. Nine kittens and two adult cats in two shelters and two veterinary clinics in four geographically distinct locations in Switzerland and Liechtenstein were affected. The cats showed fever, tongue and skin ulceration, head and paw edema, and occasionally jaundice, generalized edema and dyspnea. All symptomatic cats tested FCV-positive but were negative for FHV-1, FeLV and FIV, with the exception of one FIV-positive kitten. All kittens of one litter and both adult cats died. The disease did not spread to cats in the environment. Cats in the environment displayed phylogenetically distinct, but related, FCV strains. Virus neutralization patterns suggested that some cases might have been potentially prevented by vaccination with the optimal vaccine strain. In conclusion, clinicians should be aware of severe, non-epizootic forms of FCV infections with initial clinical presentations similar to VSD.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: bwilli@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Willi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: aspiri@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Spiri
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: mmeli@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Marina L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Meli
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: ayman.samman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samman
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: karolin.hoffmann@uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Karolin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: tsyd@vetpath.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Titus
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sydler
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: vcattori@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Valentino
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cattori
authors.affiliation: Tierärztliche Praxis Dr. Felix Graf AG, Buchs, Switzerland. Electronic address: farbsteg@bluewin.ch.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.affiliation: Cabinet vétérinaire du Dr. Gmür, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: kdiserens@veterinaire-lausanne.ch.
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Diserens
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: isabellepadrutt@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Padrutt
authors.affiliation: Kleintierklinik BolligerTschuor AG, Oftringen-Zofingen, Switzerland. Electronic address: s.nesina@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nesina
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: alice_berger1@yahoo.de.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: maja.ruetten@uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruetten
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: briond@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Riond
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: Margaret.Hosie@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Margaret J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hosie
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: rhofmann@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hofmann-Lehmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D017927:Calicivirus, Feline / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008015:Liechtenstein / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Feline calicivirus; PCR; Paw and mouth disease; Phylogenetic analysis; Virulent systemic disease; Virus neutralization