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Feline panleukopenia virus

I. General Information

1. NCBI Taxonomy ID:

2. Disease:

Feline Distemper

3. Introduction

Feline panleukopenia, commonly known as feline distemper, is a viral infection affecting cats, caused by feline parvovirus, a close relative of canine parvovirus. It is not related to canine distemper (Wiki: Feline Panleukopenia). Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a non-enveloped virus which is resistant to physical factors and chemical substances. The virus can remain infectious for months outside of a host and is highly contagious (Truyen et al., 2009).

4. Microbial Pathogenesis

The virus primarily attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing internal ulceration and, ultimately, total sloughing of the intestinal epithelium. This results in profuse and usually bloody diarrhea, severe dehydration, malnutrition, anemia, and often death. The virus causes a decrease in the cat's white blood cells, thus compromising its immune system. Typically, it also causes a decrease in hematocrit and platelet counts on a complete blood count (Wiki: Feline Panleukopenia).

5. Host Ranges and Animal Models

FPV can infect felids, raccoons, mink and foxes (Truyen et al., 2009).

6. Host Protective Immunity

Antibodies are critical in the immune response to FPV, and can protect kittens from fatal infection. Active immunity is solid and long lasting and can be achieved through the use of either inactivated or modified live virus vaccines (Truyen et al., 2009).

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