Feline coronaviruses, FCoVs, can be distinguished into serotypes I and II on the basis of the serological correlation with canine coronavirus. Type I viruses represent the genuine FCoVs and grow poorly in cell culture. Type II viruses proliferate well in vitro and accounts for only 20-30% of FCoV infections. FCoVs are ubiquitous in cat populations with a particularly high prevalence in catteries. As no information was available about the occurrence of FCoVs antibodies in Italian cats, investigations were performed in the Southern of Italy. One hundred sera collected from cats belonging to catteries or community shelters and to households in the region of Apulia were tested for FCoV type I and II antibodies. The virus neutralization, VN test was performed and compared with IFA and ELISA. Eighty sera that tested positive for FCoVs with the VN were also ELISA positive. Interestingly, ELISA, developed with FCoV type II antigen, revealed two more positive sera than did the VN test and four more positive sera than IFA did. All the results were confirmed by western blotting. ELISA proved to be substantially more sensitive and detected a FCoVs seroprevalence of 82%. Considering the cross-reactivity of FCoVs type I and type II, the ELISA developed in the present study was able to detect antibodies against both serotypes, allowing to employ the test as gold standard for the screening of the cat sera. The high prevalence of antibodies observed in the present study indicates that FCoV infections are common in southern Italian cat populations.
Comparison of serologic techniques for the assessment of antibodies against feline coronaviruses in Italy
PRATELLI, Annamaria
2006-01-01
Abstract
Feline coronaviruses, FCoVs, can be distinguished into serotypes I and II on the basis of the serological correlation with canine coronavirus. Type I viruses represent the genuine FCoVs and grow poorly in cell culture. Type II viruses proliferate well in vitro and accounts for only 20-30% of FCoV infections. FCoVs are ubiquitous in cat populations with a particularly high prevalence in catteries. As no information was available about the occurrence of FCoVs antibodies in Italian cats, investigations were performed in the Southern of Italy. One hundred sera collected from cats belonging to catteries or community shelters and to households in the region of Apulia were tested for FCoV type I and II antibodies. The virus neutralization, VN test was performed and compared with IFA and ELISA. Eighty sera that tested positive for FCoVs with the VN were also ELISA positive. Interestingly, ELISA, developed with FCoV type II antigen, revealed two more positive sera than did the VN test and four more positive sera than IFA did. All the results were confirmed by western blotting. ELISA proved to be substantially more sensitive and detected a FCoVs seroprevalence of 82%. Considering the cross-reactivity of FCoVs type I and type II, the ELISA developed in the present study was able to detect antibodies against both serotypes, allowing to employ the test as gold standard for the screening of the cat sera. The high prevalence of antibodies observed in the present study indicates that FCoV infections are common in southern Italian cat populations.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
