Molecular Detection of Feline Coronavirus in Captive Non-Domestic Felids from Zoological Facilities

Simple Summary Non-domestic felids are well-known threatened species, and are susceptible to several diseases that also affect domestic cats. Among viral infections, fatal outbreaks of feline infectious peritonitis, caused by a feline coronavirus, have been reported in captive settings. Considering the devastating effects that this pathogen could have in non-domestic felids, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of feline coronavirus in captive non-domestic felids from Northern Italy, since in the literature, this information is not currently available. The overall prevalence of feline coronavirus in captive non-domestic felids from Northern Italy was 7.9%. Results of the present study highlight the need of control programs for feline coronavirus infection to prevent pathogen introduction into a naive group of animals, which may lead to devastating effects on animal welfare and conservation programs. Cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease with a high mortality rate caused by the feline coronavirus (FCoV), have been reported in non-domestic felids, highlighting the need for surveys of FCoV in these endangered species. With the aim of adding information on FCoV prevalence in captive non-domestic felids, samples (feces or rectal swabs and, when available, oral swabs, blood, and abdominal effusion) collected between 2019 and 2021 from 38 non-domestic felids from three different zoological facilities of Northern Italy were tested for evidence of FCoV infection via RT-qPCR. Three animals were found to be FCoV positive, showing an overall 7.9% FCoV prevalence ranging from 0% to 60%, according to the zoological facility. FCoV infection was detected in tiger cubs of the same litter, and all of them showed FCoV-positive oral swabs, with low viral loads, whereas in one animal, FCoV presence was also detected in rectal swabs at low FCoV copy numbers. Future studies should be carried out, including samplings from a higher number of captive non-domestic felids, in order to gain a deeper knowledge of FCoV epidemiology within these populations.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of feline coronavirus in captive non-domestic felids from Northern Italy. The overall prevalence was found to be 7.9%, with the virus detected in tiger cubs. The results highlight the need for control programs to prevent the devastating effects of the virus on animal welfare and conservation programs.