Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus : A Review

Abstract EN

Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are found throughout the world.

Infection with FCoV can result in a diverse range of signs from clinically inapparent infections to a highly fatal disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

FIP is one of the most serious viral diseases of cats.

While there is neither an effective vaccine, nor a curative treatment for FIP, a diagnostic protocol for FCoV would greatly assist in the management and control of the virus.

Clinical findings in FIP are non-specific and not helpful in making a differential diagnosis.

Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in FIP cases are also non-specific.

The currently available serological tests have low specificity and sensitivity for detection of active infection and cross-react with FCoV strains of low pathogenicity, the feline enteric coronaviruses (FECV).

Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to detect FCoV and is rapid and sensitive, but results must be interpreted in the context of clinical findings.

At present, a definitive diagnosis of FIP can be established only by histopathological examination of biopsies.

This paper describes and compares diagnostic methods for FCoVs and includes a brief account of the virus biology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis.