Astéria Feline Respiratory Panel

The Astéria Feline Respiratory Panel tests are molecular tests that enable the pathogen to be detected and discriminated against simply, reliably and quickly, so that the affected animal can be isolated and treated as soon as the first symptoms appear. Unlike conventional PCR reactions, Astéria tests are carried out in just a few steps, and the analysis in progress can be viewed on an easy-to-use tabletop reader. The result is obtained in less than 40 minutes, both in the clinic and in the field.

Respiratory diseases are common in cats, especially those living in communal environments. These diseases can be caused by viruses, such as herpes virus or calicivirus, or by bacteria, such as Chlamydia felis or Mycoplasma felis.  As feline respiratory diseases are transmissible between cats, the identification and isolation of sick animals is essential to limit the spread of the disease.

The feline herpes virus (FHV) belongs to the Herpesviridae family. It can enter the body via the nasal, oral or conjunctival route. It first colonises the epithelium and then spreads to the pharynx, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. During infection, the virus can also reach neurons, particularly the trigeminal ganglion, which is the main site of latency. The disease can take several forms: acute (respiratory problems such as sneezing, coughing, etc.), atypical acute (with possible symptoms such as dermatitis, pneumonia, nasal and facial ulcers, coughing) and chronic (chronic rhinitis, corneal oedema, respiratory problems).

Feline calicivirus (FCV) belongs to the Caliciviridae family. While many infected cats may show no clinical signs, others may be healthy carriers, making them a potential source of transmission. The first clinical signs of infection may include runny eyes and nose, ulceration of the mouth, anorexia and lethargy. They generally occur within the first five days. Subsequently, they may progress to fever, oedema of the legs and face, jaundice, and in some cases a multivisceral failure syndrome leading to a high level of mortality. Clinical signs of calicivirus can also result from concomitant infection with feline herpes or Chlamydia felis.

Chlamydia felis (formerly Chlamydophila felis) is an intracellular bacterium belonging to the Chlamydiaceae family. It targets the conjunctival epithelial cells of cats and can persist for several months. The most common clinical signs are ocular involvement, intense purulent conjunctivitis with hyperaemia of the nictitating membrane, blepharospasm and ocular discomfort. Transient fever, inappetence and weight loss may occur shortly after infection. The disease is more common in groups of cats, particularly in catteries, and also in pedigree cats.

Mycoplasma felis is a bacterium that appears to be part of the normal flora of cats’ upper respiratory tract. Nevertheless, it can be identified in cats showing clinical signs or in healthy cats living with infected animals. Considered one of the main opportunistic pathogens of the upper respiratory tract, it is also found in co-infection with herpes virus and Chlamydia felis. Clinical signs include runny eyes or nose, coughing, sneezing, conjunctivitis with swelling of the conjunctival mucosa, lethargy and anorexia, and difficulty breathing. Mycoplasma felis can also reach the lower respiratory tract and cause associated symptoms such as tachypnoea or fever. Treatment resulting from infection with Mycoplasma felis involves the use of a suitable antibiotic treatment, preferably one that does not target the cell wall, as mycoplasmas lack one.

With the Astéria Feline Respiratory Panel, Enalees offers vets a complementary alternative to its Astéria Coryza Panel, enabling an approach tailored to the specific needs of each clinical situation. The inclusion of Mycoplasma felis in addition to the pathogens Herpes, Calicivirus and Chlamydia felis improves the accuracy of the diagnosis of respiratory diseases in cats.