Effect of a Pheromone on Stress‐Associated Reactivation of Feline Herpesvirus‐1 in Experimentally Inoculated Kittens

Abstract

BackgroundStress contributes to reactivation of feline herpesvirus‐1 (FHV‐1). The usage of pheromones to decrease stress in FHV‐1 experimentally inoculated kittens has not previously been investigated.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine whether a feline pheromone would lessen stress, resulting in decreased recurrence of FHV‐1‐associated illness in kittens.AnimalsTwelve 5‐month‐old, purpose‐bred kittens.MethodsRandomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Kittens previously infected with the same dose of FHV‐1 were randomized into 2 separate but identical group rooms. After a 2‐week equilibration period, a diffuser containing either the pheromone or placebo was placed in each of the rooms, and the kittens acclimated for an additional 2 weeks. Every 2 weeks thereafter, for the 8‐week study period, housing was alternated between kennel‐ and group housing. Blinded observers applied a standardized clinical and behavioral scoring rubric daily. After each 2‐week period, serum cortisol concentrations and quantitative PCR for FHV‐1 and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) ratios were evaluated. Clinical, behavioral, and laboratory test results were compared between groups within individual and combined study periods.ResultsSneezing occurred more frequently in the placebo group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P = 0.001). Sleep at the end of observation periods occurred more frequently in the pheromone group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P < 0.001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe findings suggest that the pheromone decreased stress, and the decrease in stress response may have resulted in decreased sneezing associated with FHV‐1.

Evaluation of liposome toll‐like receptor ligand complexes for non‐specific mucosal immunoprotection from feline herpesvirus‐1 infection

“…Future studies should ensure more equal distributions between groups. Lastly, although GAPDH has been used successfully as a comparison gene in other published FHV‐1 treatment studies in cats and the findings were similar between the FHV‐1/GAPDH and FHV‐1 to 28S calculations using the data described here, it is possible that the use of multiple comparison genes simultaneously could provide additional information or different results …”

“…These inequalities confounded the ability of the clinical observers to record sneezing and nasal congestion variables accurately. Sneezing is 1 of the most objective and quantifiable respiratory clinical signs of FHV‐1 infection and should be included in the analyses in future studies . Another potential limitation was to have all 3 intact females assigned to the LTC group.…”

“…The 19 study animals were divided into 2 separate rooms that varied in size with the smaller room housing the LTC group (n = 7; 3 intact females and 4 neutered males) and the larger room housing the untreated control group (n = 12; 6 neutered females and 6 neutered males). The dissimilar group sizes and rooms were used because of a previously planned study that included the 12 control cats . The kittens were housed and cared for in accordance with a protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the contract research facility.…”

“…Prior administration of FHV‐1 vaccines may lessen illness if exposed, but vaccination against FHV‐1 provides incomplete immunity . Clinical signs of FHV‐1 infection can be reactivated with repeat exposure, after induction of stress, or after administration of immunosuppressive drugs …”

Therapie des akuten viralen Katzenschnupfens

“…Es konnte jedoch kein Unterschied festgestellt werden in Bezug auf die FHV-1-Ausscheidung und die Serum-Kortisolkonzentrationen zwischen den in einem Raum mit Pheromondiffusor gehaltenen Katzen und den Katzen der Kontrollgruppe. Katzen der Pheromongruppe zeigten allerdings signifikant weniger häufig Niesen und häufiger ungestörte Schlafperioden als Katzen der Kontrollgruppe[54]. Der Einsatz von Gesichtspheromonen kann daher bei FHV-1-infizierten Katzen mit häufiger Reaktivierung in Betracht gezogen werden.…”