Clinico-Epidemiological Survey of Feline Parvovirus Circulating in Three Egyptian Provinces from 2020 to 2021

Abstract

Feline parvovirus infection (FPV) is the most prevalent cause of fatal gastroenteritis in cats. Only a few reports of FPV infection in cats have been found in Egypt. Therefore, the current study was designed to detect FPV diseased cats in 3 Egyptian provinces. FPV diseased cats was detected based on clinical examination, viral antigen detection using a commercially available screening Ag rapid test kit, and molecular detection of VP-2 gene using specific primers. A total of 100 diseased cats were studied, with a variety of breeds, ages, and sexes. The cats suffered from some clinical anorexia, lethargy, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and/or mucoid to bloody diarrhea. These clinical signs were suggestive of FPV infection. The rapid screening test detected the infection in 35 out of 100 diseased cats, while PCR revealed the presence of the FPV infection in 43 diseased cats. Prevalence of FPV infection in Suhag, Assuit, and Cairo was 56.25%, 24.2%, and 25.7%, using rapid test and 62.5%, 27%, and 40% using PCR, respectively. Cats under the age of one year, mainly between the ages of one to six months, and unvaccinated cats had higher infection rates, particularly in the spring and winter. In addition, the relationship between clinical signs of the disease and molecular detection of FPV was extensively investigated. It could be concluded that FPV circulated among Egyptian cat populations, and the knowledge obtained in this study would help initiate preventive measures in the study areas.

Molecular Diagnosis, Risk factors and Phylogenetic Analysis of Feline Panleukopenia Virus in Cats in Duhok Province, Iraq

“…The results revealed that the prevalence of FPV in cats was significantly higher in the Duhok and Sumel regions compared to the Zakho regions. This result is comparable to Abdel-Baky et al [18]; Radhy and Zenad, [19] and Al-Bayati, [21] they found that there is a different prevalence of FPV in cats in various regions of the same country. The difference in prevalence may be related to management practices, cat lifestyles, sampling size, and various climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall [18,28,45].…”

“…In this study, the overall prevalence of feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) disease in cats in Duhok province was 70% using the conventional polymerase chain reaction technique (c-PCR). This result is higher than other studies conducted in Iraq and other countries such as: Baghdad-Iraq was 40%, 21.6% and 13.3% using c-PCR technique, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA), and immunochromatography assay (ICA) respectively [19,20], in Ahvaz-Iran was 34.3% using ICA [35], in Burdur, Isparta and Izmit-Turkey was 25% using c-PCR technique [28], in Al Ain-United Arab Emirates was 2.18% using ICA [36], in Suhag, Assiut, and Cairo-Egypt was 35% and 43% using ICA and c-PCR, respectively [18], in Gimcheon-South Korea was 36.4% using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) technique [17], in Malang-Indonesia was ICA [37], in Jilin-China was 37.06% using multiplex PCR technique [38], in Bangladesh was 8.16% and 18.37% using ICA and c-PCR, respectively [39], in Bavaria-Germany was 65.8% using virus culture [40], and in Ontario/ Toronto-Canada was 11.72% using q-PCR technique [41]. The prevalence of FPV varied across different regions and countries due to different management approaches, environmental factors, efficient diagnostic techniques used in studies, and the presence or lack of additional parameters such as the host's age, physical condition, and immune status [16,18,20,28].…”

“…Additionally, the majority of domestic cat owners maintain their cats' health by vaccinating them and keeping them away from stray cats [22]. Conversely, Jenkins et al [14]; Abdel-Baky et al [18] and Bergmann et al [43] they stated that there was no significant difference between outdoor stray and indoor pet cats.…”

“…There are many risk factors associated with the prevalence of the FPLV disease in cats, such as lifestyle, gender, age, breed, health status, pregnancy, vaccination status, regions, and the seasons [18,22,23]. The mortality rates of FPV in the acute stage may go up to 25-90% [24], and cause serious effects on many vital organs such as the intestine, heart, kidney, lymph nodes, spleen, lung, liver, and brain [25,26].Several laboratory techniques have been developed to detect FPV in cats, such as virus isolation and elector microscopy [27], Serological tests such as indirect ELISA, hemagglutination inhibition test, and immunofluorescence antibody test [17,20,27], and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique [28].…”

“…Cats are also susceptible to canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2a, 2b, and 2c), and co-infection may occur, which infects and causes diseases that are indistinguishable from FPV [9,10]. The virus can be transmitted by direct contact with infected cats or their secretions [11]; placental transmission from pregnant infected cats to the embryo [12]; flies and other insects may also play a role in the spreading of the virus [13].The disease in cats is widely distributed in various continents in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and America [14][15][16][17][18]. Moreover, in Iraq, the FPLV disease has been reported in Baghdad province [19,20], and in Wasit province [21].…”