|
conventional RT-PCR
FCoV-23 Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is caused by feline coronaviruses and is usually considered a disease of individual cats. If a higher rate occurs in animal shelters or multi-cat households, this is due to an increased infectious pressure and an associated increased reinfection and virus mutation rate.
In 2023, a severe outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) occured in cats on the Island of Cyprus (Attipa et al., in press). Within 7 months, the number of PCR-confirmed cases increased more than 40-fold compared to 2022. Subsequent analysis showed that this was caused by a highly pathogenic feline/canine recombinant coronavirus, proposed to be named FCoV-23. Preliminary data are highly supportive for direct transmission of this virus and that there is no need for a biotype change to cause FIP.
We now offer a specific test for the detection of FCoV-23 following a positive coronavirus detection in the cat. This can provide information if the contagiosity needs to be assessed in a differentiated manner. The test can also be requested retrospectively for samples sent in 2023.
|
