Novel characteristics identified in two cases of feline cowpox virus infection

Breheny, Craig R; Fox, Victoria; Tamborini, Alice; O’Halloran, Conor; Robertson, Elise; Cazzini, Paola; Birn-Jeffery, Daniela; Henkin, Julia; Schwarz, Tobias; Scase, Tim; Powell, Roger; Gunn-Moore, Danièlle

Case 1 identified a novel presentation of CPxV infection, as a localised, focal form of disease affecting only the larynx and para-laryngeal area. This cat responded well to treatment and had no evidence of pulmonary pathology during investigations. This case shows that CPxV infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of focal disease of the respiratory tract, as well as the more commonly recognised cutaneous and lower respiratory presentations. Reported clinical signs for CPxV infection are typically skin lesions (commonly found on the head, neck and forelimbs) and, rarely, fatal necrotising pneumonia. 4, [7] [8] [9] [10] Interestingly, no skin lesions were evident in this casethis has previously been described in a single cat with CPxV pneumonia. 11 The lack of cutaneous pathology may reflect the fact that, in rare cases, the virus can be transmitted by the oronasal route. 12 Case 2 had classic dermatological signs, with no clinical or imaging findings consistent with pulmonary disease (although these were apparent on post-mortem There are also eosinophilic inclusion bodies found within the cytoplasm of the microglia (arrows), consistent with CPxV infection evaluation). This cat began to display neurological signs, consistent of sensorium changes, as well as anisocoria, likely secondary to viral infection of the CNS (with consistent findings on histopathology). This has not been reported in previous case series. From this case we now know that CPxV infection should remain a differential in cats with neurological signs, particularly if accompanied with dermatological and/or respiratory involvement.