Chlamydophila felis

Chlamydiosis

Persistent respiratory infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci (felis)
Mild conjunctivitis, serous purulent rhinitis and conjunctivitis, in severe cases mild bronchointerstitial pneumonia - feline pneumonitis

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