FCV (qPCR)

Description

The FCV (qPCR) product is used to detect sequences characteristic of feline calicivirus (FCV) in RNA preparations obtained from cat secretions or tissues.

Product characteristics

Kit size: 100 reactions

Reaction: duplex (FAM: FCV, HEX: internal control)

Internal control: exogenous/endogenous

Determination: qualitative/quantitative

Kit components:

• Reaction mixture: contains DNA polymerase, probes and primers, and other qPCR reaction components;
• Reverse transcriptase;
• RNAse inhibitor;
• Positive control;
• Negative control;
• PCR-grade water;

Description of the FCV

FCV (Feline Calicivirus) causes calicivirus, one of the two most common causes of upper respiratory tract infections in cats. The symptoms of Feline Calicivirus infection are most often upper respiratory tract symptoms, fever, conjunctivitis, oral mucosal ulcers, and sometimes pneumonia or lameness (in the case of joint involvement). A severe form of calicivirus with a high mortality rate caused by virulent systemic feline calicivirus (FS-FCV) is also sometimes observed. In diseases of the upper respiratory tract in cats, calicivirus infection is often accompanied by simultaneous infection with herpesvirus-1 or bacteria of the genus Chlamydia and/or Bordetella.

Feline calicivirus is an RNA virus with high genetic variability and flexibility, mutating rapidly and occurring in many strains. FCV virions do not have a lipid envelope, and the single-stranded RNA of the virus contains three open reading frames: ORF1 – encoding a polyprotein that is cleaved post-translationally into non-structural proteins (polymerase, protease), ORF2 – encoding two capsid proteins, ORF3 – encoding a small capsid protein.

Feline calicivirus is found in saliva, secretions from the conjunctival sac, nose, or throat, blood, and feces of infected cats. It can survive in the environment for up to several weeks. It is quite resistant to many common disinfectants. FCV infections often occur in larger groups of cats – usually in animal shelters or catteries. Furthermore, research conducted in Germany revealed that nearly half of cats in multi-cat households are infected with calicivirus. However, not all cats exhibit any symptoms. Rarely, an outdoor cat can become infected from other outdoor cats.