Chlamydophila felis

• Host adapted species in cats
• Feline chlamydiosis
• Feline conjunctivitis, rhinitis and rarely interstitial pneumonia
• Epidemiology
  • Up to 10% cats infected
  • Infection via contact with conjunctival or nasal secretions
  • Infection may persist with prolonged shedding and clinical relapses
  • Stress of parturition and lactation may cause shedding of organisms leading to transmission to offspring
• Clinical signs:
  • Incubation period 5 days
  • Conjunctival congestion, clear ocular discharge, blepharospasm
  • May have sneezing and nasal discharge
  • Resolves within a few weeks, or causes persistent infection
• Diagnosis:
  • Intracytoplasmic inclusions in stained conjunctival smears
  • Antigen detection in ocular/nasal secretions - ELISA, PCR, Kosters, fluorescent antibody test
• Modified live vaccines reduce clinical signs but do not prevent infection or shedding