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The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

Mutated feline coronavirus (FCoV) causes a highly fatal disease in cats, named feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Common FIP clinical signs represent an accumulation of fluid in the thorax and/or abdomen. Screening tests currently rely on fluid analysis with cytologic examination to differentiate cellular components. Accordingly, accurate ante-mortem diagnosis is prerequisite for effective treatment strategies. This study focused on developing a rapid diagnostic tool for FCoV by using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). Clinical samples composed of bodily fluids, plasma and feces were obtained from FIP-suspected cats (n = 63), apparent healthy cats living with (n = 12) and without (n = 10) clinically ill cats. Following RNA extraction and quantification, the modified RT-LAMP targeting the highly conserved 3’-untranslated region (3’UTR) was thoroughly performed and results were compared to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The analysis focused on sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). The results showed that all submitted feline fluid samples were 38% (24/63) positive by RT-PCR and 44% (28/63) positive by RT-LAMP. Cats living in the same household with FIP-suspected cats strikingly displayed 98% (11/12) positivity when detected from plasma and/or feces. For cats with no history of previous FIP exposure, the results demonstrated that 30% (3/10) tested positive by RT-PCR compared to 50% (5/10) by RT-LAMP. Additionally, RT-LAMP represented a diagnostic sensitivity and NPV at 100%, while specificity and PPV were over 80%. In conclusion, RT-LAMP assay is applicable to confirm FIP infection in clinical case and to monitor FCoV carrier in healthy cats.

Publisher

Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University

First Page

229

Last Page

233

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