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Feline poxvirus infection. A case report
M G Canese1, A Lavazza, A Massone
1Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Turin.
Abstract:
Poxvirus infection of a domestic cat is reported. The clinical signs consisted of skin lesions only, which healed within two and a half months. Histopathology revealed cytoplasmatic inclusion bodies typical of pox virus infection. Virus particles morphologically related to the genus orthopoxvirus were detectable in the embedded skin tissue and in skin scraping by electron microscopy. No specific lesions were observed in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane inoculated with an extraction from skin scabs of the cat.
Insights
A domestic cat experienced a poxvirus infection, presenting solely with skin lesions that resolved in two and a half months. Electron microscopy confirmed orthopoxvirus genus particles in skin samples.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Poxvirus infections are known in various animal species, but feline cases are rare.
- Understanding poxvirus tropism and clinical presentation in domestic animals is crucial for disease management.
Observation:
- A domestic cat presented with multifocal, crusting skin lesions.
- Lesions healed spontaneously within 10 weeks without systemic signs.
- Histopathology revealed characteristic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies consistent with poxviral cytopathic effects.
Findings:
- Electron microscopy of skin biopsies and scrapings identified virus particles with morphology consistent with the Orthopoxvirus genus.
- The isolated feline poxvirus did not cause specific lesions in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for Orthopoxvirus genus infections in domestic cats.
- Further research is needed to characterize feline poxviruses and their zoonotic potential.
- This finding contributes to the differential diagnosis of dermatological conditions in felines.