|
|
Neurology Profile Small ( cat ) - PCR
Test number: 8414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 ) Feline Corona virus FCoV (Cat) PCR
|
| |
|
Description |
|
PCR
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline coronaviruses (FCoV) exist in two distinct pathotypes:
- Enteric FCoV: Weakly virulent strains that infect intestinal epithelial cells, typically causing mild diarrhoea.
- Mutated FCoV: Variants with spike protein mutations that replicate in macrophages and lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), often fatal.
Transmission and Risk Factors
Cats in multi-cat households are more likely to shed the virus than those in single-cat homes. Higher infection pressure increases the chance of mutation from enteric FCoV to the pathogenic FIP-causing form. Studies estimate that 1–12% of FCoV-infected cats develop FIP.
Clinical Manifestations
FIP was previously classified into wet (exudative) and dry (granulomatous) forms. It is now believed that all cases eventually progress to the wet form. Clinical signs include:
- Pyogranulomatous inflammation of serosal surfaces and organs (especially liver, spleen, lungs)
- Severe polyserositis with viscous effusions (ascites, pleural/thoracic)
- Anaemia, icterus, emaciation, and persistent high fever
- Neurological symptoms and uveitis due to immune complex deposition
Diagnostic Indicators
A positive antibody titre indicates prior exposure to FCoV, common in adult cats. In healthy animals, high titres do not predict FIP development. Enteric FCoV shedders can be identified via PCR from faecal samples, while mutated FCoV is typically not excreted.
In FIP cases, antibody titres may be low or negative due to immune complex binding. Diagnostic support includes:
- Serum protein electrophoresis
- Albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio below 0.6
- Elevated gamma globulin fraction
- PCR testing from effusions or tissue samples
- Rivalta test or cytology for confirmation
|
|
|
|
|
Sample Requirements |
|
FA / AS , GW , LQ , EB .
faeces, aspirate, CSF, aqueous humour, tissue (e.g. kidney or omentum)
|
|
|
| |
|
2 ) Toxoplasma gondii -PCR
|
|
Sample Requirements |
|
FA / LQ , AM .
|
|
|
| |
|
3 ) Bartonella henselae PCR
|
|
Species
|
|
Cat / Feline
,
Dog / Canine
.
|
|
|
|
The Disease |
Bartonella henselae
Bartonella are gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacteria which are transmitted by fleas and ticks.
Bartonella henselae is mostly known as the causative agent of 'cat scratch disease' in humans. Infections in cats are predominantly subclinical. Fever,
muscular pain, local lymphadenopathy and, rarely, also neurological symptoms can occur, which usually disappear again after a few days. Recently, the involvement of Bartonella henselae in gingivitis and stomatitis in cats has been discussed more frequently.
Pathogen detection and antibody detection often do not match and a definitive diagnosis is linked to the detection of the pathogen. A negative PCR result does not exclude an infection with B.henselae and should be repeated in case of clinical suspicion.
Dogs, too, can occasionally be affected by Bartonella infection. The disease can cause
endocarditis, recurrent granulomatous lymphadenitis, systemic granulomatous processes
and meningitis.
We also offer
a serology test for Bartonella hensalae (antibody test)
|
|
|
|
|
Sample Requirements |
|
EB / 0.2ml , LQ / 0.2ml .
EDTA blood, CSF, swab (mouth), flea
|
|
|
| |
|
4 ) Borna virus (mammals) PCR
|
| |
|
Sample Requirements |
|
LQ , EB .
CSF, tissue (brain), horse: aqueous humour, EDTA blood (viraemia)
|
|
|
| |
|
Price |
|
to view the price please provide:
|
|
|
 |
To order:
- If you have any queries, please contact us on:
Tel: 0161 282 3066
email: info@laboklin.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
