• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.51.1-51.11
• /
• 2024

Importance: Feline calicivirus (FCV)-associated viral systemic disease (VSD) is a severe systemic disease caused by virulent FCV strains and has a very poor prognosis. Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of a nosocomial FCV-VSD outbreak involving 18 cats in Korea. Methods: Medical records of cats diagnosed with FCV-VSD from March to September 2018 at a referral veterinary hospital were reviewed. The patient's signalment, history, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were evaluated. Results: Two outbreaks involving 18 cats diagnosed with FCV-VSD occurred over a 6-month period at a referral hospital in Korea. Anorexia, lethargy, fever, and limb edema were the most commonly observed clinical symptoms. Lymphopenia and macrothrombocytopenia were the most common hematological findings, and hyperbilirubinemia and increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and serum amyloid A were the most frequent results of serum biochemistry. FCV was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 11 patients and the remaining 7 were suspected with FCV-VSD. The overall mortality rate was 72.2%. The hospital was closed and disinfected twice, and no additional outbreaks have occurred since the last patient. Conclusions and Relevance: The clinical and diagnostic characteristics and outcomes of FCV-VSD described in this study can be used to recognize and contain infectious diseases through quick action. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a nosocomial outbreak of FCV-VSD in Asia.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.445-448
• /
• 2015

A 5 month old Korean domestic short haired male kitten (weighing 1.7 kg) was presented with primary complaints of upper respiratory disease (URD) signs and skin ulceration and edema on face, feet and footpad with lameness. Diagnostic test revealed leukopenia, lymphopenia, pancreatitis and feline calicivirus (FCV) infection. Diagnosis of virulent systemic FCV (VS-FCV) was made on clinical signs, isolation of calicivirus via PCR and exclusion of other causes of acute upper respiratory disease. Therapeutic strategies were directed to lessen URD signs and to treat secondary bacterial infection and antiviral infection. One month after this therapy, skin lesions on face and feet and URD signs were much improved, although the lameness persisted mildly. To author's best knowledge, this is the first case reporting VS-FCV infection in a kitten in Korea.