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Lung (high power).There
is necrosis of airway epithelium and filling of airways and alveoli with
a fibrinosuppurative exudate. Typical herpesvirus nuclear incluion bodies
were visible in some areas.
Feline Herpesvirus:
Feline herpesvirus-1 is one of the major components
of the feline respiratory disease complex - other components include feline
calicivirus and Chlamydophila psittaci
(formerly Chlamydia psittaci).
The disease in cats produced by feline herpesvirus is
usually called Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
and is characterised by lethargy, oculonaaal discharges, severe rhinitis,
and conjunctivitis. The disease causes an impairment of pulmonary defense
mechanisms, predisposing cats to secondary bacterial pneumonia. The virus
can also remain latent in ganglia.The vast majority of affected cats recover
and become carriers of FHV-1.
Most cats recover from infection in 7-14 days, but mortality
can be high in young kittens or debilitated
animals (eg FeLV or FIV affected animals).
Gross lesions of FHV-1 infection are seen at the predilection
sites for virus replication: epithelium of nasal passages, soft palate,
conjunctivae, tonsils, and, to a lesser extent, trachea. The initial serous
inflammation becomes mucopurulent or fibrinous with a few days. Lethal
cases usually have an extensive fibrinous rhinotracheitis, possibly with
extension to an acute viral or secondary bacterial pneumonia.
In this case there has been extension of infection into
the lungs and development of bronchopneumonia.
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