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Morbidity, Mortality and Coronavirus Antigen in Previously Coronavirus Free Kittens Placed in Two Catteries with Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 34, pages 203–210 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

Serologically coronavirus free kittens were placed in 2 catteries with a history of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), each cattery representing 1 of the 2 different predominant clinical characteristics of FIP - effusive and granulomatous. The kittens were clinically observed for 100 days. A 100% morbidity and a 90% mortality was observed. The first signs were observed after 14 and 27 days respectively. The clinical pattern of the disease was similar in all kittens and showed a pattern of recurrent periods of conjunctivitis, upper respiratory and gastrointestinal signs. Once developed, wasting and signs of CNS disturbances were consistent. The “effusive strain” had a 2 weeks earlier onset of signs and death, and a 40% outcome of effusive FIP. Mean survival times during the observation period were 57 ±26 and 57 ±16 (mean ±SD in days), respectively. The death rates were similar in both groups. Feline coronavirus (FCoV) antigen was immunohistochemically detected using indirect immunofluorescence and was present in all kittens and in 93% of the 5 investigated organs (lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and mesenteric lymph node).

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Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Ragnhild Wictorin and the family Hamrich for housing the kittens and for their assistance, without whom this paper could never have been written and the National Veterinary Institute for supplying the coronavirus free kittens.

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  1. Department of Medical Microbial Ecology and The Laboratory Animal Unit, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 60 400, S-104 01, Stockholm, Sweden

    K. Hök

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Hök, K. Morbidity, Mortality and Coronavirus Antigen in Previously Coronavirus Free Kittens Placed in Two Catteries with Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Acta Vet Scand 34, 203–210 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548211

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147