Philippine E-Journals

DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO FELINE CORONAVIRUS IN STRAY DOMESTIC SHORT-HAIRED CATS (Felis catus) AND TIGERS (Panthera tigris)

Sheina Sheila R. Suba | Franz Philip Joseph R. Ubaldo | Marco F. Reyes | Marianne Leila S. Flores

 

Abstract:

No study has yet been conducted on the seroprevalence of feline coronavirus antibodies in the Philippines. Sera from 42 stray domestic short-haired cats (Felis catus) from Metro Manila and nine captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens (Manila Zoo) were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against Feline coronavirus (FCoV) using ELISA. Mutant FCoV may result to the development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).  Results show that 86% (36/42) of cats and 100% (9/9) of captive tigers were seropositive. Chi-square test determined that the acquisition of FCoV antibodies is influenced by both the sex and the age of the animals.  Approximate Z-test confirmed that the population of seropositive animals is significant and that a large proportion of the test population was exposed or is currently exposed to FCoV infection. Therefore, it is important that there is strict implementation of sanitation and waste disposal management, continuous stray cat population control measure and constant monitoring of the cats for the possible development of the fatal FIP.