Feline panleukopenia PCR test
dog and cat assay data sheet
Feline
panleukopenia virus (FPV) - also known as "feline distemper"
Test code:
S0093 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of feline panleukopenia virus by
real time polymerase chain reaction
S0093 is included
on P0028 - feline diarrhea panel
and on P0037 - feline
neurological panel
Feline
panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a small, single-stranded DNA virus that
is morphologically and antigenically very similar to canine parvovirus
(CPV) type 2, mink enteric virus, and raccoon parvovirus. It has been
suggested that FPV is the ancestor virus for CPV because current
strains of CPV can infect cats as well as dogs. FPV is shed in
secretions from infected animals for weeks to months following
infection. It is very stable in organic debris in the environment and
may remain viable at room temperature for over one year.
Young and
unvaccinated cats are susceptible to feline panleukopenia virus
infection. Infection by this virus can result in an acute or peracute
systemic and enteric infection characterized by fever, vomiting,
diarrhea, anorexia, and malaise. The virus infects bone marrow tissue
resulting in severe panleukopenia. FPV infection is frequently fatal
in young kittens, but adults are likely to recover.
Clinical
manifestations of FPV infection are dependent on the immunological
status and age of the cat at the time of infection. FPV infection in
pregnant cats may result in abortion, fetal resorption, fetal
mummification, and other reproductive problems. If fetuses are born
alive, they usually have cerebellar hypoplasmia and/or retinal
dysplasia. Kittens infected with FPV after birth and up to 3 to 4
weeks of age can also develop similar symptoms. Older kittens
generally show gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms.
Peracute FPV
infection is rapidly progressive and often fatal within 24 hours,
owing to secondary bacteremia and endotoxemia associated with severe
intestinal damage and panleukopenia. Signs include abdominal pain,
severe depression and subnormal body temperature. Classical signs of
acute FPV infection include dehydration, vomiting, abdominal pain,
hemorrhagic diarrhea, and fever. Adult cats are usually less severely
affected and have either fever or mild gastroenteric symptoms that are
self-limited and resolve within a few days, or inapparent illness.
Serological
detection of FPV is not very sensitive, especially in identifying
those infected cats that are actively secreting the virus in feces.
Molecular detection by PCR provides a rapid, sensitive and specific
alternative to detect this virus in both blood and fecal samples.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of FPV infection
-
Help ensure that feline populations are free of FPV
-
Early prevention of spread of this virus among a feline
population
-
Minimize human exposure to this virus
Specimen
requirement: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or
rectal swab, or 0.2 ml feces, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all specimen
types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm
weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack
unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen
specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See
shipping instructions for more
information.
Turnaround
time:
2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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