Virus Diseases of The Respiratory Tract of Cats

Abstract

Feline rhinotracheitis (FR) virus antigenically similar to the only known antigenic type of FR virus was isolated from nasal and pharyngeal swabs obtained from four cats with respiratory disease. The incidence of FR virus neutralising antibody in 45 cat serums obtained in the environs of Melbourne was approximately 50%. Data is presented that shows that the incidence of neutralising antibody to 2 antigenically distinct feline picornaviruses was 96% and 87% respectively. Complement fixing antibody to the Chlamydia (Psittacosis) group antigen was not found in any of 35 serums tested; it is suggested that the significance of Chlamydia sp as a cause of feline pneumonitis may require reappraisal...