Prevalence of feline corona virus in cats of an animal shelter in Latvia

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is ubiquitous in the domestic cat (Felis catus) population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential predisposing factors of FCoV in cats of an animal shelter in Latvia and to compare the prevalence between cats in the quarantine area and resident cats in the adoption area. Oropharyngeal and faecal swabs and blood samples were collected from 40 domestic shorthair cats from an animal shelter in Jelgava, Latvia. Swabs were analyzed for FCoV RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Blood serum samples were tested for FCoV specific antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). FCoV RT-PCR positivity in oropharyngeal and rectal swabs was 7.5% (3/40) and 72.5% (29/40), respectively. Additionally, FCoV seroprevalence was 67.5% (27/40). The proportion of cats shedding FCoV within the adoption (72.7%) and quarantine (72.2%) areas was similar (p = 0.55). The prevalence of FCoV faecal shedding in young cats was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in adult cats. Sex had no significant effect on FCoV RT-PCR positivity. Further studies on larger cat population including different population types are needed to determine the overall prevalence and epidemiological patterns of FCoV infection in Latvia.