Antigenic detection of Feline Panleukopenia virus (FPV) in diarrhoeic companion cats in Ahvaz area

The present study was carried out for the antigen detection of Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) in diarrhoeic cats referred to the Veterinary Clinic of the School of Ahvaz University, in southwest Iran. Faecal samples were collected from 67 diarrhoeic household cats during 2005 to 2007. According to the age and clinical signs, the cats were divided into two groups; <6 months and>6 months, hemorrhagic and non hemorrhagic diarrhoea, respectively. Faecal samples were tested by immunochromatography assay test and 34 % of cats were found positive to FPV antigen. The infection was more prevalent in cats less than 6 months (37%) compared with animals older than 6 months of age (31%). No significant differences were observed between different clinical signs, age and sex of the animals (P>0.05). The affected cats had no history of vaccination against Tri-cat, but in the healthy cat population, 18 % were vaccinated. The difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05)