
Background: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection is ubiquitous in multi-cat households. Responsible for the continuous presence are cats that are chronically shedding a high load of FCoV. The aim of the study was to determine a possible correlation between FCoV antibody titer and frequency and load of fecal FCoV shedding in cats from catteries. Methods: Four fecal samples from each of 82 cats originating from 19 German catteries were examined for FCoV viral loads by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, antibody titers were determined by an immunofluorescence assay. Results: Cats with antibodies were more likely to be FCoV shedders than non-shedders, and there was a weak positive correlation between antibody titer and mean fecal virus load (Spearman r = 0.2984; p = 0.0072). Antibody titers were significantly higher if cats shed FCoV more frequently throughout the study period (p = 0.0063). When analyzing only FCoV shedders, cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in all four samples had significantly higher antibody titers (p = 0.0014) and significantly higher mean fecal virus loads (p = 0.0475) than cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in only one, two, or three samples. Conclusions: The cats’ antibody titers correlate with the likelihood and frequency of FCoV shedding and fecal virus load. Chronic shedders have higher antibody titers and shed more virus. This knowledge is important for the management of FCoV infections in multi-cat environments, but the results indicate that antibody measurement cannot replace fecal RT-qPCR.
feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), transmission, R, serology, 610 Medicine & health, 2725 Infectious Diseases, 2726 Microbiology (medical), Article, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), carrier, feline coronavirus (FCoV), 2400 General Immunology and Microbiology, 11404 Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, 2723 Immunology and Allergy, 1312 Molecular Biology, Medicine, 11434 Center for Clinical Studies, multi-cat household
feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), transmission, R, serology, 610 Medicine & health, 2725 Infectious Diseases, 2726 Microbiology (medical), Article, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), carrier, feline coronavirus (FCoV), 2400 General Immunology and Microbiology, 11404 Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, 2723 Immunology and Allergy, 1312 Molecular Biology, Medicine, 11434 Center for Clinical Studies, multi-cat household
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