Advancing Precise Medicine Unveiling Southeast Asia's First Feline Upper Respiratory Infection Epidemiological Study

 

  

 

From July 19-21 2024, the 12th Federation of Asian Small Animal Veterinary Associations Congress (FASAVA 2024) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

At the conference, GlinX, in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Malaysia’s renowned veterinary chain Vet Partners, released the first epidemiological study on feline upper respiratory infections in Southeast Asia. Glinx invited distinguished experts such as Dr. Farina and Dr. Lee to talk about the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of feline respiratory diseases.

 

 

   

 

 

Research Findings Unveils The Most Common Feline Upper Respiratory Pathogens in Malaysia

 

Since February 2024, GlinX, in collaboration with UPM and Vet Partners, has been collecting conjunctival and oropharyngeal swab samples from cats with clinical respiratory symptoms across Malaysia. Over four months, we collected a total of 233 samples (36 of which had been previously treated with antibiotics). Using the GlinX InCycle® Feline Respiratory PCR 5-in-1 Panel, we analysed the samples, uncovering the epidemiology of feline upper respiratory pathogens in Malaysia and identifying key factors contributing to the risk of infection among the pet population.

 

 

1. The overall positivity rate in this study was 66.6% (131/197).

 

2. The positivity rate for mixed infections ranged from 45% to 50%, with the most common pathogens being feline calicivirus (64%) and co-infection of feline calicivirus and Mycoplasma felis (27.9%).

 

3. PCR testing shows a higher detection rate compared to virology and bacterial culture methods for identifying feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), Mycoplasma felis (Mf), and Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) in cats with clinical signs of upper respiratory disease.

 

4、Cats may still get infected with feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) even after vaccination.

 

5、Using diagnostic results in conjunction with clinical symptoms can help create more effective treatment plans and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

*This study's data is current as of July 19, 2024.

Results:

1. High Rate of Mixed Infections: After excluding the 36 antibiotic-treated samples, the positivity rate for co-infections with two or more pathogens was around 45-50%. Among these, the mixed infection rate for feline calicivirus (FCV) and Mycoplasma felis (Mf) was 27.9% (55/197).

 

 

2. Positivity Rates: After excluding the 36 antibiotic-treated samples, the overall positivity rate was 66.6% (126/197). The individual positivity rates were as follows: FCV at 64% (126/197), Mycoplasma felis (Mf) at 47.7% (94/197), FHV-1 at 14.7% (29/197), Chlamydia felis (Cf) at 2% (4/197), and Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) at 1.5% (3/197).

 

3. Cats may still get infected with FCV or FHV-1 even after vaccination.

 

 

 

Experts Discuss Feline Respiratory Diseases at GlinX's Special Session

 

Dr. Farina and Dr. Lee shared insights with attendees on the prevalence and risk factors associated with feline respiratory diseases in Malaysia, along with new perspectives on diagnosis and treatment. Porfessionals from UPM (YBhg. Professor Dr. Goh Yong Meng, Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Omar, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farina Mustaffa Kamal), IMU (Prof. Dr. Malaika Watanabe and other professors), and Vet Partners (including Dr. Lee Ee Liang, Veterinary Director) engaged in a discussion on ‘Precise Diagnosis for Feline Respiratory Diseases – The Role, Approaches, and Way Forward.’ The session provided clear guidance on the importance of percise diagnosis for feline respiratory diseases. The session provided attendees with valuable knowledge and the latest information, offering new insights and direction for feline health research in Malaysia and globally.

 

 

GlinX's special session marks a significant step forward in the field of feline health. We look forward to collaborating with more professionals and cat lovers to drive development in this field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights from the GlinX Showcase

 

 

 

GlinX Feline Respiratory PCR 5-in-1 Panel

 

GlinX Feline Respiratory PCR 5-in-1 Panel has unique advantages in diagnosing feline upper respiratory infectious diseases:

 

1. Efficient and Accurate

 

Respiratory symptoms in cats can stem from various causes, often presenting similarly. It is difficult to distinguish according to symptoms in clinical practice, and the mixed infection rate of pathogens is high. Conventional testing methods are insufficient, thus nucleic acid testing is essential for diagnosis. GlinX Feline Respiratory PCR 5-in-1 Panel efficiently screens for five pathogens at once, ensuring a more accurate diagnosis.

 

2. Fully Automated

GlinX InCycle® utilizes magnetic bead method for nucleic acid extraction along with classic nucleic acid amplification, ensuring accurate results. The fully enclosed testing system minimizes the risk of contamination. Samples in, results out. The fully automated operation reduces labour costs and lowers contamination risks.

 

3. Proved by Multi-Center, Multi-Dimensional, Large Sample Researches

 

1-       The first multi-center, large-sample clinical study of feline upper respiratory infections in China. GlinX, in collaboration with Dr. Feng Qipu from Sichuan University West China Hospital Animal Experiment Center, Dr. Qiao Qiao from Germany’s Heilbronn AniCura Small Animal Referral Center, and directors from 12 well-known veterinary hospitals in China, conducted a large-scale nationwide epidemiological study on pathogens causing feline upper respiratory infections. This research provides substantial evidence for the epidemiology of feline respiratory pathogens in China.

 

 

2- The first epidemiological research on upper respiratory infectious diseases in cats from Southeast Asian countries.

 

 

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