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====Pathogenesis====
====Pathogenesis====
*[[Respiratory Viral Infections - Pathology#Feline viral rhinotracheitis|Upper respiratory tract infection]] *
*Upper respiratory tract infection: [[Respiratory Viral Infections - Pathology#Feline viral rhinotracheitis|Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis]]
**Viruses and bacteria are involved in the complex
** The most frequent aetiologic agent is FHV-1, and less frequently feline calicivirus and/or [[Chlamydia and Chlamydophila species|''Chlamydophia psittaci'']]
**All three agents infect URT respiratory epithelium, although FHV-1 has the highest affinity for this epithelium
***Feline calicivirus more frequently infects the oral mucosa -> ulcerative stomatitis
***C.psittaci more frequently infects the conjunctival epithelium -> chronic conjunctivitis
**Infection of the respiratory epithelium by FHV-1 results in a typical neutrophilic rhinitis with intraepitheial intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies, with expected clinical signs
**Resolution of clinical signs usually occurs by 7-14 days
**FHV-1 remains '''latent''' in the trigeminal ganglion, and can reactivate at times of stress: Can infect the cornea -> ulcerative keratitis
**Occasional mortality in kitten or immunocompromised animals usually associated with secondary bacterial infection
*Erosions can affect the bronchi, resulting in '''interstitial pneumonia'''
*Erosions can affect the bronchi, resulting in '''interstitial pneumonia'''
*Most common cause of '''keratitis''' and '''corneal ulcers''' in cat and '''gummy eyes''' in kittens
*Most common cause of '''keratitis''' and '''corneal ulcers''' in cat and '''gummy eyes''' in kittens