Shedding of feline panleukopenia virus DNA in cats in breeding catteries

Abstract

Objectives

The present study’s aims were to investigate fecal panleukopenia virus (FPV) DNA shedding in cats from breeding catteries and to identify factors associated with shedding, including the presence of diarrhea.

Methods

239 cats out of 40 catteries were included. Information on catteries and cats were obtained by a breeders’ questionnaire. Fecal samples of the cats were classified with the Purina fecal score and analyzed for FPV DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Other gastrointestinal microorganisms were assessed by qPCR/RT-qPCR and fecal flotation. Information on the catteries, cats, and results of fecal sample analyses were statistically analyzed to determine factors that were associated with fecal FPV DNA shedding by Fisher’s exact test; p-values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results

Six of 239 cats (2.5%) shed FPV DNA with feces. Cycle threshold values of qPCR ranged from 24–37. All FPV DNA-positive cats were coinfected (with either Clostridium spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and/or feline coronavirus). Fecal consistency of 3/6 FPV DNA-positive samples was diarrheic, and fecal FPV DNA shedding was significantly associated with diarrheic feces (p= 0.015; OR: 9.9, CI_95%: 1.2–78.7). No other factors significantly influenced FPV DNA shedding.

Conclusions and relevance

Fecal FPV DNA shedding was rarely observed among healthy cats from breeding catteries but maintaining proper vaccination programs against panleukopenia is crucial. Since FPV DNA shedding was linked to a higher likelihood of diarrheic feces, mild diarrhea in otherwise healthy cats should not be neglected and raise awareness about a potential risk of FPV within the cattery or other multi-cat environments.

Zusammenfassung

Ziele

Ziel der Studie war es herauszufinden, ob Katzen aus Katzenzuchten feline Panleukopenievirus- (FPV-) DNA mit dem Kot ausscheiden und mögliche Risikofaktoren (einschließlich Durchfall) zu ermitteln, die mit einer Virusausscheidung im Zusammenhang stehen könnten.

Material und Methoden

In die Studie wurden 239 Katzen aus 40 Katzenzuchten eingeschlossen. Informationen zu den Zuchten und Katzen wurden mit Hilfe von Fragebögen ermittelt, die von den Züchtern ausgefüllt wurden. Die Kotproben der Katzen wurden mit dem Purina-Kot-Score klassifiziert und mittels quantitativer Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (qPCR) auf FPV-DNA untersucht. Untersuchungen auf weitere gastrointestinale Mikroorganismen wurden mittels qPCR/RT-qPCR und Kotflotation durchgeführt. Für die statistische Auswertung der Faktoren, die mit einer fäkalen FPV-DNA-Ausscheidung in Verbindung stehen, wurden Informationen zu Zuchten, Katzen und die Ergebnisse der Analyse der Kotproben berücksichtigt (exakter Test nach Fisher); p-Werte <0,05 galten als signifikant.

Ergebnisse

6 von 239 Katzen (2,5%) schieden FPV-DNA mit dem Kot aus. Die mittels qPCR gemessenen Ct-Werte (cycle threshold) lagen zwischen 24–37. In allen 6 Kotproben wurden Koinfektionen (mit entweder Clostridium spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. und/oder felinem Coronavirus) nachgewiesen. Diarrhö lag bei 3/6 FPV-DNA-positiven Proben vor und war signifikant mit der fäkalen FPV-DNA-Ausscheidung assoziiert (p= 0,015; OR: 9,9, CI_95%: 1,2–78,7). Andere Faktoren hatten keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Ausscheidung von FPV-DNA.

Schlussfolgerung

Nur eine kleine Anzahl gesunder Katzen aus Katzenzuchten schied FPV-DNA mit dem Kot aus; ungeachtet dessen sind adäquate Impfungen gegen Panleukopenie essenziell. Da der Nachweis von FPV-DNA mit Diarrhö in Zusammenhang stand, sollte eine weiche Kotkonsistenz bei ansonsten gesunden Katzen nicht vernachlässigt werden und auf ein mögliches FPV-Risiko in Zuchten oder anderen Mehrkatzenhaushalten aufmerksam machen.

Keywords

FPV - parvovirus - diarrhea - quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) - fecal samples - multi-cat household

Schlüsselwörter

FPV - Parvovirus - Durchfall - quantitative Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (qPCR) - Kotproben - Mehrkatzenhaushalt

Publication History

Received: 15 April 2025

Accepted: 02 September 2025

Article published online:
15 October 2025

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