Seroprevalence and isolation rate of Bordetella bronchiseptica in cats in the UK
McArdle, H.C.; Dawson, S.; Coutts, A.J.; Bennett, M.; Hart, C.A.; Ryvar, R.; Gaskell, R.M.
Veterinary Record 135(21): 506-507
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7871691 Document Number: 426740
Blood samples and oropharyngeal swabs, not necessarily from the same individuals or housholds, were taken from a mixed population of cats. Of the 126 serum samples examined for antibodies against B. bronchiseptica by ELISA, 91 (72%) had titres of >1:40. The prevalence of antibodies was higher (85%) in the 96 cats from rescue catteries or private multicat households with respiratory disease than in the 30 cats from private households without respiratory disease (30%). Among the 32 kittens tested, seroconversion occurred between 7 and 10 weeks of age. B. bronchiseptica was isolated from oropharyngeal swabs of 26 of 527 cats sampled. All cats were from multiple cat environments and all either had respiratory disease or had contact with a diseased cat.