Detection and seroprevalence of morbillivirus and other paramyxoviruses in geriatric cats with and without evidence of azotemic chronic kidney disease.

Abstract

Background- Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is reportedly associated with the presence of tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) in cats, however the seroprevalence of FeMV in the UK and the association between the presence of FeMV and renal azotemia is unknown Hypothesis/objectives- To identify whether paramyxoviruses are present in urine samples of geriatric cats and to develop an assay to assess FeMV seroprevalence. To investigate the relationship between both urinary paramyxovirus (including FeMV) excretion and FeMV seroprevalence and azotemic CKD. Animals- 79 cats (40 for FeMV detection; 72 for seroprevalence) Methods- Retrospective cross-sectional, case control study. Viral RNA was extracted from urine for RT- PCR. PCR products were sequenced for virus identification and comparison. The FeMV N protein gene was cloned and partially purified for use as an antigen to screen cat sera for anti-FeMV antibodies by Western Blot. Results- FeMV RNA from five distinct morbilliviruses were identified. Detection was not significantly different between azotemic CKD (1/16) and non-azotemic groups (4/24; p=0.36). Three distinct, non-FeMV paramyxoviruses were present in the non-azotemic group but their absence from the azotemic group was not statistically significant (p=0.15). 6/14 (43%) azotemic cats and 40/55 (73%) non-azotemic cats were seropositive (p=0.06). Conclusions and clinical importance- FeMV was detected in cats in the UK for the first time. However, there was no association between virus prevalence or seropositivity and azotemic CKD. These data do not support the hypothesis that FeMV infection is associated with the development of azotemic feline CKD in the UK.