Herpesviridae - Alphaherpesvirinae - Feline Herpesvirus 1

Question 1

What is the common name for FHV-1?

Answer 1

Feline Rhinotracheitis

Question 2

How is FHV-1 transmitted?

Answer 2

Ocular, nasal, and oral secretions by direct contact.

Aerosol route is not important

Question 3

Where does FHV-1 replication take place?

Answer 3

Mucosa of nasal septum, turbinates, nasopharynx, and tonsils.

Question 4

What does infection with FHV-1 lead to?

Answer 4

Areas of multifocal epithelial necrosis, inflammation and fibrinous exudation.

Question 5

What are the clinical signs of FHV-1 in kittens?

Answer 5

Kittens (up to four weeks)
Severe upper respiratory disease
Extensive rhinotracheitis
Fatal bronchopneumonia may develop
Conjunctivitis and ulcerative keratitis

Question 6

What are the clinical signs of FHV-1 in older kittens?

Answer 6

> 6 months

Mild or subclinical disease

Question 7

What are the clinical signs in the pregnant queen?

Answer 7

Abortion around week 6

No evidence that the virus crosses the placenta so abortion may be due to systemic effects of the virus

Question 8

How are corneal ulcers due to FHV-1 diagnosed?

Answer 8

Fluorescein ophthalmic strips

Question 9

How can you tell feline calicivirus from FHV-1?

Answer 9

Calicivirus will cause ulcers on the tongue.

FHV-1 does not cause ulcers.

Question 10

How is FHV-1 diagnosed?

Answer 10

History & Clinical signs
Histopatholoy: Necrosis of epithelia of nasal cavity, pharynx, epiglottis, tonsils, larynx, trachea
Bronchopneumonia in young kittens
Occular or pharyngeal swab for virus isolation
PCR

Question 11

What types of FHV-1 vaccines are available?

Answer 11

MLV parenterally
MLV intranasally
Inactivated vaccine parenterally