FP14 - Feline Extraocular Infection Profile

HealthGene’s new feline extraocular infectious profile has been designed to target conjunctivitis and keratitis problems in cats. Conjunctivitis is probably the most common clinical ophthalmic disorder in felines. Feline herpesvirus – 1 is often a cause of ocular disease. Young cats with respiratory tract disease generally have conjunctivitis with marked conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis, and serous to purulent ocular discharge. Once infected, cats become latent carriers of herpesvirus and may have recurrences of ocular disease, including conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. Chlamydia psittaci and Mycoplasma felis are common feline conjunctival pathogens that may contribute to conjunctivitis along with feline herpesvirus – 1. The clinical presentation of conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia psittaci is indistinguishable from the one caused by feline herpesvirus – 1, and two organisms may be present simultaneously. Mycoplasma may require a stressor, such as another conjunctival pathogen or injury, to cause disease. Some studies have recovered Mycoplasma as normal flora from feline conjunctiva, whereas others have not. Keratitis in cats has been most frequently associated with invasion of the corneal epithelium by feline herpesvirus – 1.

Our company suggests submitting a conjunctival scraping along with blood sample (3ml in a lavender EDTA tube) for testing for feline extraocular infectious profile.

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