Feline herpesvirus

Quantitative detection of feline herpesvirus (FHV-1)

Testing indications

 Assessment of viral shedding and contagiosity of cats in catteries.
 Status determination of breeding cats.
 Detection of asymptomatic chronic carriers.
As FHV can be latent in neural ganglia (mainly) and tonsils or cornea (occasionnally), PCR can not detect all latent asymptomatic carriers. Thus, for a status determination on an asymtomatic animal, Scanelis recommends to collect several samples (oropharyngeal & conjunctival & corneal cells) at the right time (ie: at least 1 week after quarantine or after calving)
 Diagnostics of herpesvirosis in cats with clinical signs (coryza, ocular forms, reproduction disorder)

Test characteristics

 Real-time PCR
 Limit of detection
 Detection of viral DNA in absence of viral replication (latent forms of herpesvirosis)

Diagnostic samples

 Ocular signs: conjunctival cells with a cytobrush (mainly in case of chronic disorders) or possibly with a dry swab
corneal cells in presence of keratitis : corneal cells collected on a membrane (reference on demand / available equipment in Scanelis) or possibly with a dry swab or a cytobrush
 Coryza: oropharyngeal cells (and conjunctival or nasal depending on the clinical signs), pleural effusion, lung(s) (with no formalin).
 Abortions, reproduction disorders: vaginal and/or placental cells, preputial cells and/or sperm, stillbirth organs
 Status determination of asymptomatic carriers: oropharyngeal cells (collect on tonsils) with a cytobrush or possibly a dry swab

Result interpretation

 Negative result: absence of feline herpesvirus or quantity lower than the limit of detection.
 Positive result: presence of FHV in the analyzed sample.
If the quantity is very low, it would be indicated on the analysis report. Positive results must be interpreted in the clinical context and depending on the duration of clinical signs. Our assay is semi-quantitative and we can provide you this information on request.
For result interpretation in a clinical context, a rate of asymptomatic carriers of 8% mini (assessed with our test in ocular samples) must be taken into account (this rate is higher in rescue shelters).

Do not hesitate to contact us to choose appropriate samples and for result interpretation.