Prevalence of Protoparvovirus carnivoran1/Feline Coronavirus and Associated Risk Factors in Cats Admitted to a Public Shelter in Southern Italy

This study aimed to evaluate the introduction of Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 (feline panleukopenia virus, FPV/canine parvovirus type 2, CPV-2) and feline coronavirus (FCoV) at admission in a public feline shelter, their molecular epidemiology, and potential associated risk factors. For this purpose, rectal swabs collected from a total number of 368 stray and colony cats were analyzed by a set of classical PCR assays for the detection, typing, and sequencing of FPV/CPV-2 (368 cats) and FCoV (198 cats). A statistical analysis (Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test) was performed to evaluate the association between FPV/FCoV positive results and associated data. FPV, CPV-2c, and FCoV-I were detected in 25.8%, 0.5%, and 30.8% of the tested cats, respectively. High degrees of nucleotide identity were observed with local, national, and international viral strains previously collected from cats, wild carnivores, and dogs. Presence of FPV was significantly more likely in male cats (p = 0.024; OR = 0.580) and in 6-12-month (p = 0.003; OR = 4.69) or 12-36-month (p = 0.004; OR = 2.4) cats, while presence of FCoV was higher in younger cats (<3 months) and in those showing respiratory signs (p = 0.046; OR = 2.76). Monitoring both viruses and their associated infection risk factors can help reduce the risks of introduction and transmission within feline colonies, veterinary clinics, or hospitals, supporting targeted measures and standards of care.