Genomic analysis of influenza A virus from captive wild boars in Brazil reveals a human-like H1N2 influenza virus

Influenza is a viral disease that affects human and several animal species. In Brazil, H1N1, H3N2 and 2009 pandemic H1N1 A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza A viruses (IAV) circulate in domestic swine herds. Wild boars are also susceptible to IAV infection but in Brazil until this moment there are no reports of IAV infection in wild boars or in captive wild boars populations. Herein the occurrence of IAV in captive wild boars with the presence of lung consolidation lesions during slaughter was investigated. Lung samples were screened by RT-PCR for IAV detection. IAV positive samples were further analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRRT-PCR), virus isolation, genomic sequencing, histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Eleven out of 60 lungs (18.3%) were positive for IAV by RT-PCR and seven out of the eleven were also positive for A(H1N1)pdm09 by qRRT-PCR. Chronic diffuse bronchopneumonia was observed in all samples and IHC analysis was negative for influenza A antigen. Full genes segments of H1N2 IAV were sequenced using Illumina's genome analyzer platform (MiSeq). The genomic analysis revealed that the HA and NA genes clustered with IAVs of the human lineage and the six internal genes were derived from the H1N1pdm09 IAV. This is the first report of a reassortant human-like H1N2 influenza virus infection in captive wild boars in Brazil and indicates the need to monitor IAV evolution in Suidae populations.     

Salmonella serotypes in wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in northern Italy

Background

Salmonella species (spp.) are zoonotic enteric bacteria able to infect humans, livestock and wildlife.However, little is known about the prevalence and the presence of the different serovars in wildlife. Considering the wide distribution of wild boars and the feeding behaviour (omnivorous scavengers), wild boars may be a good indicator for environmental presence of Salmonella spp. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of Salmonella spp. in hunted wild boars and to determine the serotype the isolated strains.

Findings

Over three hunting seasons, the intestinal contents of 1,313 boars hunted in northern Italy were sampled and cultured. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 326 boars (24.82%). Thirty different serovars belonging to three different S. enterica spp. were found. Twenty-one serovars of S. enterica subsp. Enterica were found including the human pathogens S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. In addition, nine serovars belonging to S.enterica subsp. diarizonae and S. enterica subsp. houtenae were detected.

Conclusions

Considering the widespread occurrence of wild boars in Europe, the epidemiological role of this species in relation to salmonellosis might be relevant and should be further investigated. Wild boars may act as healthy carriers of a wide range of Salmonella serotypes.     

Detection of Helicobacter spp. in gastric, fecal and saliva samples from swine affected by gastric ulceration

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Helicobacter (H.) spp. in swine affected by gastric ulceration. Stomachs from 400 regularly slaughtered swine were subjected to gross pathological examination to evaluate the presence of gastric ulcers. Sixty-five samples collected from ulcerated pars esophagea and 15 samples from non-ulcerated pyloric portions were submitted to histopathological and molecular analyses, to detect Helicobacter spp., H. suis and H. pylori by PCR. Feces and saliva swabs were also collected from 25 animals in order to detect in vivo the presence of Helicobacter spp.. Gastric ulcers were detected in 373 cases (93%). The presence of ulcers in association with inflammatory processes was further confirmed by histological examination. Forty-nine percent (32/65) of the ulcerated esophageal portions as well as 53% (8/15) of the non-ulcerated pyloric portions were positive for Helicobacter spp. by PCR. The Helicobacter spp. positive samples were also positive for H. suis, while H. pylori was not detected. These results were confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. With regard to feces and saliva samples, 15/25 (60%) and 16/25 (64%) were positive for Helicobacter spp. PCR, respectively but all were negative in H. suis and H. pylori specific PCR.     

Antibiotic Resistance in Salmonella Isolated from Tegus (Tupinambis spp.)

In recent years, an increase in human clinical cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis has been identified, and it has been attributed to the increased popularity of these animals as pets. Limited information is available regarding the distribution of Salmonella spp. serotypes in different reptile species and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella spp. isolated from pet reptiles. This article describes the prevalence of Salmonella spp., distribution of serotypes, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns from isolates cultured from cloacal swabs obtained from 14 tegu lizards (Tupinambis spp.). Eighteen strains of Salmonella belonging to different serotypes were obtained from the 14 tegu lizards. Of the 18 Salmonella spp. isolates, 8 (44.4%) were from Salmonella subspecies I, with a majority of isolates belonging to the Eastbourne serotype (3 strains), Nottingham serotype (2 strains), and Brancaster serotype (2 strains), and only 1 belonging to the Apapa serotype. Less common serotypes were detected in 5 isolates, including 2 each belonging to Salmonella subspecies II and IIIb, respectively, and 1 to Salmonella subspecies IIIa. The serotype of 5 other Salmonella isolates could not be determined. All 18 isolates were resistant to at least 6 of the antimicrobial drugs tested. These results confirm the potential zoonotic risk from handling reptiles, suggesting that measures to educate the reptile-owning public are necessary.     

A survey of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome among wild boar populations in Korea

No information is currently available on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Korea. In this study, the status of PRRS in wild boars was investigated. Blood samples were collected from 267 wild boars from eight provinces in Korea. Four of the samples tested (1.5%) were positive for PRRSV antibodies and eight (3.0%) were positive for antigens. Of the virus-positive samples, three and five samples were typed as containing European (EU, type 1) or North American (NA, type 2) viruses, respectively. Two amplicons (one from type 1 and one from type 2) were used to analyze the PRRSV open reading frame 7 (ORF7) sequence. The nucleotide sequences of type 1 PRRSV ORF7 had identities between 96.1% and 98.4% with PRRSVs from domestic pigs in Korea. The sequences of type 2 PRRSV ORF7 had identities of 100% with the PRRSV strain VR-2332, which was prototypic North American strain. These results show that PRRSVs are present in wild boars in Korea, and effective PRRSV surveillance of the wild boar population might therefore be useful for disease control.     

SI与APP、PRRS、PCV－2和Mhyo交叉感染的血清学调查

对甘肃省健康规模猪场和发病（非流感）规模猪场进行H1N1和H3N2猪流感（SI）感染抗体检测,健康规模猪场H1N1SI和H3N2SI混合感染抗体阳性率为25．45％（28／110）;发病（非流感）规模猪场H1N1SI和H3N2SI混合感染抗体阳性率为25．97％（20／77）。对两个规模猪场1、6、7和10月份的抗体检测结果,平均抗体阳性率分别为21．27％、56．14％、75％和15．62％。H1N1和／或H3N2SI阳性猪场猪传染性胸膜肺炎（APP）、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征（PARS）、猪圆环病毒病（PCV-2）和猪支原体肺炎（Mhyo）感染抗体平均阳性率依次分别为50．79％、40．32％、43．82％和33．33％;猪传染性胸膜肺炎（APP）免疫抗体平均保护率为49．5％,猪繁殖与呼吸综合征（PRRS）、猪圆环病毒病（PCV-2）和猪支原体肺炎（Mhyo）免疫抗体阳性率依次分别为56．52％、47．92％和38．04％。     

A longitudinal study of serological patterns of respiratory infections in nine infected Danish swine herds

Sixteen litters of seven pigs from each of nine Danish farrow-to-finish herds were followed to investigate the serological patterns caused by natural infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida toxin and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 2, 5–7, 12. In seven of the herds, pigs were followed as two separate cohorts started 4 weeks apart, and in two herds only one cohort was followed.

A total of 999 pigs were included in the study. The pigs were blood sampled at weaning and subsequently every fourth week until slaughter. All pigs were examined for antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), P. multocida toxin (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 2, 5–7, 12 (complement-fixation tests). The most-common pattern (28%) of seroconversion was that of pigs first seroconverting to A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2, followed by seroconversion to M. hyopneumoniae. Each herd had a dominant serotype of A. pleuropneumoniae to which most pigs seroconverted. Seroconversion to the respiratory pathogens occurred mainly in the growing-to-finishing units (8–24 weeks). The risk of seroconversion to the P. multocida toxin was very low (<20%) and occurred late.

None, four and seven herds tested seropositive to PRRS and to swine influenza virus subtypes H3N2 and H1N1, respectively, when testing 10 pigs per herd (selected randomly among the study pigs) at the age of 20 weeks.     

Associations among Haemophilus parasuis,Mycoplasma hyorhinis,and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infections in pigs with polyserositis

The objective of this study was to determine the associations among Haemophilus parasuis, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus (EU-field strain) infections in 95 pigs with polyserositis. A significant association between H. parasuis and M. hyorhinis was identified. H. parasuis and M. hyorhinis were significantly more often detected in PRRS virus positive pigs.     

Occurrence of Mycobacterium spp. and other pathogens in lymph nodes of slaughtered swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa)

Mycobacterium spp. and other pathogens were investigated in 258 swine lymph nodes (129 with and 129 without apparent lesions), and 120 lymph nodes (60 with and 60 without lesions) from wild boars (Sus scrofa). A total of lymph nodes from swine and wild boars were collected of different animals. Submaxillar and mesenteric lymph nodes were submitted to microbiological examination and colonies suggestive of Mycobacterium spp. (alcohol-acid bacilli) were submitted to PCR Restriction Assay (PRA). In swine with lymphadenitis, Mycobacterium spp. (24.1%) and Rhodococcus equi (13.2%) were the most prevalent microorganisms, while in lymph nodes without lesions were identified a complex of microorganisms, including of environmental mycobacteria. In wild boars with lymphadenitis, ß-haemolytic Streptococcus (10.0%), Mycobacterium spp (8.4%) and R. equi (6.6%) were the most frequent. Among mycobacterias were identified predominantly Mycobacterium avium subspecies type 1 (48.3%) and M. avium subspecies type 2 (16.1%), followed by Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium szulgai,Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium simiae, Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum and Mycobacterium intracellulare type 2.     

Serological survey of antibodies to four pathogens in wild boars in Nagano Prefecture,Japan

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) captured or found dead in Nagano Prefecture were surveyed for antibodies to Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV), Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Toxoplasma gondii. While all 168 samples tested were negative for anti-ADV antibodies and all 140 samples tested were negative for anti-PRRSV antibodies, all 190 samples tested were positive for anti-E. rhusiopathiae antibodies and 12 of 180 samples were positive for anti-toxoplasma antibodies. These results suggest that since E. rhusiopathiae and T. gondii cause zoonotic diseases, in addition to wild boars being a potential source of infection for domestic pigs, caution should be taken when handling wild boars or eating wild boar meat because of the possibility of human infection.     

Establishment of serological herd profiles for zoonoses and production diseases in pigs by “meat juice multi-serology”

The most important pork-borne zoonotic diseases in humans such as Salmonelloses and Yersinioses cause only latent infections in pigs. Thus, the infection of pigs does not result in apparent or palpable alterations in the pig carcasses. This is the major reason, why the traditional meat inspection with adspection, palpation and incision is not able to control the food safety risks of today. The objective of this paper is to evaluate a set of serological tests, which provides a classification of pig herds into “zoonoses risk categories” as demanded by EU law and into “herd health risk categories” by using meat juice as diagnostic specimen for ELISA tests. Serological data that were obtained by testing meat juice samples from various pig herds were analyzed as proof of the “meat juice multi-serology” concept. For that, at least 60 meat juice samples from 49 pig herds each were taken between September 2010 and March 2011 and tested for antibodies against zoonotic pathogens (Salmonella spp., Trichinella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica and Toxoplasma gondii) and against pathogens causing production diseases (Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, influenza A virus subtype H1N1, influenza A virus subtype H3N2 and PRRSV). Apparent and true animal prevalence, herd prevalence values and intra-herd seroprevalence values as well as the predictive values for the herd and the animal prevalence values were calculated for each pathogen and each of the 49 randomly selected herds. The herd seroprevalence values (one seropositive sample per herd determined a “positive herd”) for Y. enterocolitica, Salmonella spp., T. gondii, M. hyopneumoniae and PRRSV were higher than 80%, respectively, for the influenza A viruses between 60% and 14% and for Trichinella spp. 0%. Although all herds were located in the same area in the Northwest of Germany within a radius of 250 km, the intra-herd seroprevalence values for all tested pathogens, except for Trichinella spp., varied remarkably from herd to herd. In the case of Y. enterocolitica and T. gondii the intra-herd seroprevalence values varied even from zero to 100%. This shows that a serological risk categorization of pig herds regarding zoonoses and production diseases is meaningful if used for risk-based decisions in the framework of the new meat inspection concept and as part of the herd health management system. Thus, the development of a cost-efficient, time- and labour-saving test system for simultaneously detecting various antibodies should be the next step for an extensive implementation of the meat juice multi-serology concept.     

Molecular detection of Mycoplasma suis in captive white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Brazil

Mycoplasma suis, the etiological agent of swine hemoplasmosis, is an epicellular bacterium that adheres to the surface of pig erythrocytes leading to deformations of the target cells. Little is known about the occurrence of M. suis in wild swine populations around the world, its economic impact on swine herds, and the risk of human infection. The aim of this study was to investigate, by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene, the occurrence of M. suis in a captive population of white-lipped peccaries (100 Tayassu pecari) and in free-living wild boars (14 Sus scrofa) in Brazil. None of the white-lipped peccaries were positive for M. suis, whereas seven (50%) wild boars were positive in qPCR assays. The quantification of M. suis-16S rRNA copies/μL ranged from 1.42 × 10° to 3.906 × 10¹ in positive animals, indicating a low bacteremia and a chronic carrier status in free-living wild boars. In conclusion, M. suis might be a non-frequent pathogen in wild suids maintained in captivity. Despite the low bacteremia, the prevalence of M. suis in wild boar population in Brazil seems to be high.     

Characteristics of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae Isolates and Some Epidemiological Findings on Porcine Haemophilus Pleuropneumonia in Saskatchewan

Thirty isolates of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae from clinical and slautherhouse cases of porcine Haemophilus pleuropneumonia in Saskatchewan as well as six isolates from British Columbia and Ontario were subjected to cultural, biochemical, serological and antibiotic sensitivity tests. All strains were Gram-negative pleomorphic rods or coccobacilli which grew only in the presence of V factor and all produced porphyrin from delta-aminolaevulinic acid. Biochemically, the organism was positive for urease, O-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranosidase and the fermentation of sucrose, mannitol, dextrose, lactose and xylose, but was usually negative for indole. Most strains of H. pleuropneumoniae were sensitive to chloramphenicol, furamazone, carbenicillin and ampicillin, but only about 50% were sensitive to tetracycline. Serotype 5 was more common than serotype 1 or the untyped strains among Saskatchewan isolates. In addition, serotype 3 was identified from British Columbia.

Retrospective epidemiological studies showed that Haemophilus pleuropneumonia occurred and recurred on farms in the Saskatoon and adjoining districts, serviced by the diagnostic laboratories of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and that the disease was more common among three month old pigs during the fall-winter season.

     

Prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus detection in aborted fetuses,mummified fetuses and stillborn piglets using quantitative polymerase chain reaction

The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus detection in aborted fetuses (n=32), mummified fetuses (n=30) and stillborn piglets (n=27) from 10 swine herds in Thailand using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Pooled organs and umbilical cord from each fetus/piglet were homogenized and subjected to RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. The qPCR was carried out on the ORF7 of the PRRS viral genome using fluorogenic probes for amplified product detection. The results revealed that 67.4% (60/89) of the specimens contained PRRS virus. The virus was found in 65.6% (21/32) of aborted fetuses, 63.3% (19/30) of mummified fetuses and 74.1% (20/27) of stillborn piglets (P=0.664). Genotype 1, genotype 2 and mixed genotypes of PRRS virus were detected in 19.1% (17/89), 25.8% (23/89) and 22.5% (20/89) of the specimens, respectively (P=0.316). PRRS virus antigen was retrieved from both non-PRRS-vaccinated herds (68.2%, 45/66) and PRRS-vaccinated herds (65.2%, 15/23) (P=0.794). These findings indicated that these specimens are important sources of the PRRS viral load and the viral shedding within the herd. Thus, intensive care on the routine management of dead fetuses and stillborn piglets in PRRS virus-positive herds should be emphasized.     

Bacterial probiotics as an aid in the control of Clostridium difficile disease in neonatal pigs

Although Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common disease in swine, there is a lack of prevention strategies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate: i) the effectiveness of Lactobacillus spp. and ii) non-toxigenic C. difficile (NTCD) as prevention for the development of CDI in piglets. Cesarean-derived piglets (N = 150) were randomly assigned to 6 groups: GROUP 1 — negative control (n = 10); GROUP 2 — NTCD only (n = 13); GROUP 3 — Lactobacillus spp. only (n = 14); GROUP 4 — positive control (challenged with toxigenic C. difficile strain) (n = 35); GROUP 5 — NTCD and challenged with the toxigenic C. difficile strain (n = 34); and GROUP 6 — Lactobacillus spp. and challenged with the toxigenic C. difficile strain (n = 44). Piglets which received NTCD showed lower prevalence of toxin-positive feces, mesocolonic edema, and microscopic lesions compared with positive control piglets. Administration of Lactobacillus spp. did not reveal clear benefits.     

Immunization against 5α-androstenone in boarsL'immunisation contre la 5-androsténone chez le verratImmunisierung gegen 5α-Androstenon in Ebern

The effects of specific immunization against 5α-androstenone have been examined in large, genetically homologous groups of boars reared either to bacon weight (90–95 kg live weight) or to heavy manufacturing weight (115–120 kg live weight). At the lighter weight, immunization significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the concentration of androstenone in the adipose tissue from a mean value of 1.77 (S.E. 0.2) μg g^?1 fat in untreated boars (n=39) to 1.10 (S.E. 0.18) μg g^?1 for animals (n=19) treated with 5α-androstene-3-BSA. In contrast, boars (n=20) treated with 5α-androstenone-11-BSA as immunogen accumulated androstenone to a level of 1.99 μg g^?1 fat (S.E. 0.38). At the heavier weight, immunization reduced the accumulation of androstenone in adipose tissue from a mean value of 1.81 μg g^?1 fat (S.E. 0.22) in untreated boars (n=76) to 1.17 μg g^?1 (S.E. 0.19) for animals (n=22) treated with androstene-3-BSA as immunogen. In contrast, boars (n=21) treated with androstenone-11-BSA as immunogen accumulated androstenone to a mean level of 1.74 μg g^?1 fat (S.E. 0.46). No detrimental side-effects were observed in the immunized animals and the advantages of male-type performance and carcass composition were fully preserved.     

Survey of Helicobacter infection in domestic and feral cats in Korea

Discovery of Helicobacter (H.) pylori has led to a fundamental change in our understanding of gastric diseases in humans. Previous studies have found various Helicobacter spp. in dogs and cats, and pets have been questioned as a zoonotic carrier. The present study surveyed the Helicobacter infections and investigated the presence of H. felis and H. pylori infections in domestic and feral cats in Korea. Sixty-four domestic cats and 101 feral cats were selected from an animal shelter. Saliva and feces were evaluated by Helicobacter genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genus-specific PCR positive samples were further evaluated for H. felis and H. pylori using specific primer pairs. Thirty-six of 64 (56.3%) samples from domestic cats and 92 of 101 (91.1%) samples from feral cats were PCR positive; the positive rate of feces samples was higher than that of saliva samples in both groups. H. felis and H. pylori species-specific PCR was uniformly negative. The prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in feral cats was approximately two-fold higher than that of domestic cats. The fecal-oral route may be more a common transmission route not only between cats but also in humans.     

CRITICAL AND CONTROLLED LABORATORY TRIALS IN SHEEP WITH TETRAMISOLE

Critical and controlled anthelmintic tests were carried out using tetramisole hydrochloride per os against adult and immature gastro-entestinal nematodes of sheep. The drug was highly effective against adult Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia spp, Trichostrongylus axei, intestinal Trichostrongylus spp, Nematodirus spp, Oesophagostomum columbi-anum and Chabertia ovina, and against 5th stage worms of the two latter species, at 10 mg/kg bodyweight and above. Efficiency against Trichuris ovis ranged from 67 to 100% at 20 mg/kg. A dose rate of 10 mg/kg was 98 to 100% effective against 14-day old H. contortus and T. axei, and against both 7-day and 14-day old intestinal Trichostrongylus spp infections, but a rate of 15 mg/kg was required for high activity against 14-day old Ostertagia spp. Seven-day old infections of H. contortus, T. axei and particularly Ostertagia spp were more resistant, and drug activity was variable at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg. Tetramisole would appear to have good activity against 7-day and 14-day old larvae of O. columbianum at 15 mg/kg in lambs in which the development of this species tended to be retarded.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in wild boars in the Czech Republic

Sera collected from hunter-killed wild boars (Sus scrofa) during 1999-2005 from seven different regions of the Czech Republic were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by indirect fluorescence antibody test and to Neospora caninum by competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by indirect fluorescence antibody test. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 148 (26.2%) of 565 wild boars with serum dilutions of 1:40 in 40, 1:80 in 40, 1:160 in 27, 1:320 in 19, 1:640 in 18 and 1:1280 in 4 wild boars. Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 102 (18.1%) of 565 wild boars with 30.1-94.6% inhibition in ELISA; statistical significant differences were observed between sampling regions, ranging from 0% to 31.8%. Sera, positive in ELISA, were examined in IFAT; 58 of 102 (56.9%) were positive with titres 1:40-1:160. Mixed infection (concurrent presence of both T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies) was found in 38 wild boars. It is the first report of antibodies to N. caninum in wild boar. Serological results indicate a common exposure to T. gondii and to N. caninum among wild boars in the Czech Republic.     

Feline Herpesvirus 1 and Mycoplasma spp. Conventional PCR Assay Results From Conjunctival Samples From Cats in Shelters With Suspected Acute Ocular Infections

Signs of ocular infections like discharge and conjunctivitis occur commonly in cats in shelters and feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), Chlamydia felis, Mycoplasma spp, and feline calicivirus (FCV) are thought to be the most common causes. While molecular assays are available to amplify nucleic acids of each of these agents as single tests or in panels, additional information is needed concerning whether the assay results can be used to predict response to treatment. The objectives of this study were to report results for conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays that amplify nucleic acids of FHV-1, Mycoplasma spp., C. felis, and FCV from cats with signs of acute ocular and upper respiratory infections in an animal shelter and to determine whether the results are associated with treatment responses to topical administration of cidofovir (anti-FHV-1) or oxytetracycline (anti-Mycoplasma spp. and C. felis). Conjunctival samples were collected from both eyes of 60 cats with ocular signs of disease. Total deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) were extracted from each sample and assayed for DNA of FHV-1, Mycoplasma spp., and C. felis and RNA of FCV by conventional PCR assays. Cats were randomized to be administered either oxytetracycline ointment or cidofovir drops in both eyes and a standardized ocular disease score system was used to determine a total ocular score for each cat prior to treatment on Day 0 and on Day 7. Nucleic acids of one or more agents were amplified from one or both eyes from 39 of 60 cats (65%). FHV-1 DNA (21 cats), Mycoplasma spp. DNA (25 cats) or FCV RNA (2 cats) were amplified most commonly. After treatment for 7 days, 32 of 60 cats (53.3%) were considered improved with 27 of 32 cats (84.4%) having ocular scores of 0 (21 cats) or 1 (6 cats). When the results of the FHV-1 PCR assay were compared to cidofovir treatment responses, the positive and negative predictive values of the assay were shown to be 29.4% and 60%, respectively. When the results of the Mycoplasma spp. PCR assay were compared to oxytetracycline treatment responses, the positive and negative predictive values of the assay were shown to be 40% and 38.5%, respectively. The predictive value of conventional PCR assay results for FHV-1 or Mycoplasma spp. DNA was low, suggesting that performing these tests to formulate a treatment protocol has minimal clinical utility in cats with suspected acute ocular infections.