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| Author(s): |
Ariani Cristina da Silva Almeida
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | Botucatu. 2017-01-31. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Botucatu |
| Defense date: | 2017-01-13 |
| Advisor: | João Pessoa Araújo Junior |
| Abstract | |
The feline coronavirus (FCoV) infect domestic cats (Felis catus) with a bimodal pathogenicity, producing from enteric subclinical infections to the fatal feline infectious peritonitis (PIF). FIP is considered one of the most important infectious diseases of felids. The diagnosis of FIP non-effusive is challenging for living animals and that of FIP effusive can be established through the association of clinical findings and results of laboratory tests. Although serological techniques do not provide conclusive diagnostics, they are useful tools and may important in helping the management. The present study aimed to develop an indirect ELISA test with the use of a nucleocapsid (N) recombinant protein of FCoV as antigen and to perform a seroepidemiological study for infection with FCoV in domiciled domestic cats from Botucatu, SP. For the indirect ELISA, the antigen was produced by cloning and vector expression using bacteria. Tests of antigen concentration and serum dilution were performed. One hundred and fifty-one samples (n=151) were tested and the cut-off determined by calculating the average at A450 from 53 negative samples (as tested by ImmunoComb FCoV (FIP) kit – the reference test for the study) and four standard deviation. For the seroepidemiological study, 151 samples were tested ImmunoComb FCoV (FIP) for detection of IgG anti-FCoV antibodies. The analyzed risk factors were age, breed, sex, reproductive condition, outdoor access, creation mode (solitary or grouped). The relative ELISA sensitivity was 85,57%, the relative specificity was 94,44% and the relative accuracy was 88,74%. In the seroepidemiological study the seropositivity was 64,24% (97/151) by the ImmunoComb FCoV (FIP) kit. There was no statistical significance among breed (p=1,000), sex (p=0,0818) and solitary or grouped animals (p=0,8325). Age (p=0,0157), reproductive condition (p=0,0074) and outdoor access (p=0,0001) presented statistical significance concerning seropositivity (for p-values ≤ 0,05). The indirect ELISA presented capacity of interaction with anti-FCoV antibodies by the produced antigen with good relative sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, showing efficiency and discriminatory capacity. The seroepidemiological study showed that FCoV is widely disseminated in the studied cat population. The seropositivity encountered was higher than expected, since the sampled cats were domiciled and not shelter cats. The statistical differences encountered in age, reproductive condition and outdoor access aided in building the epidemiological profile of this population. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 14/02994-6 - Serological investigation and transcriptome analysis in domestic cats (Felis catus) naturally infected with feline Coronavirus (FCoV) |
| Grantee: | Ariani Cristina da Silva Almeida |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |