We conducted an exploratory serological survey to evaluate the exposure of Bornean wild carnivores to several viruses common to domestic felids, at interface areas between protected forest and industrial agriculture in the Kinabatangan floodplain (Sabah, Malaysia). Blood samples, collected from wild carnivores (n = 21) and domestic cats (n = 27), were tested for antibodies against feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV), feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV), using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits. Anti-FCoV antibodies were detected in most species, including one flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps, [1/2]), leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis, [2/5]), Malay civets (Viverra tangalunga, [2/11]) and domestic cats (Felis catus, [2/27]). Anti-FCV antibodies were present in all domestic cats and one flat-headed cat, while anti-FPLV antibodies were identified in Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi, [2/2]), domestic cats [12/27] and Malay civets [2/11]. Anti-FHV antibodies were only detected in domestic cats [2/27]. Our findings indicate pathogen transmission risk between domestic and wild carnivore populations at the domestic animal-wildlife interface, emphasizing the concern for wildlife conservation for several endangered wild carnivores living in the area. Special consideration should be given to species that benefit from their association with humans and have the potential to carry pathogens between forest and plantations (e.g., Malay civets and leopard cats). Risk reduction strategies should be incorporated and supported as part of conservation actions in human-dominated landscapes.
Feline polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disorder caused by the mutation of PKD1 gene that eventually lead to the development of chronic kidney disease. The latter condition causes hypertension and eventually progress into congestive heart failure. Feline parvovirus (FPV) is a highly contagious and often fatal disease infecting cats and other members of Felidae. An 8-month-old female domestic shorthair cat was presented with complaint of wound dehiscence a day after ovarian hysterectomy procedure. The wound at the suture site appeared necrotic, purulent with foul smell. The cat was found to have diarrhoea during the fixation of suture breakdown and, later, was tested positive with parvovirus infection. Complete blood count revealed anaemia, neutrophilia, lymphopenia and thrombocytosis. Biochemistry profiles showed hypoproteinaemia and elevated of urea and creatinine. The cat was hospitalised, and symptomatic treatments were given. During hospitalisation, the cat showed symptoms of polydipsia and polyuria and found dead 2 days later. Post-mortem findings demonstrated the cat had oral ulceration, thoracic effusion, fibrinopleuropneumonia, pericardial effusion, left ventricular hypertrophy and right ventricular dilation, chronic passive liver congestion, mesenteric lymphadenomegaly, intestinal haemorrhage, adrenomegaly and polycystic kidney. Histopathological evaluation revealed fibrinous pleuropneumonia, pulmonary atelectasis, emphysema and oedema, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hepatic necrosis, splenic necrosis, intestinal necrosis, renal necrosis and renal polycystic. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were isolated from bronchus swab and intestinal segment, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed parvovirus infection. The cat was definitely diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease concurrent with parvoviral and secondary bacterial infections.