Occurrence, morphological characterization and antigen localization of felid herpesvirus-induced pneumonia in cats: a retrospective study (2000-2006).

The pathological findings in nine cases of pneumonia associated with infection by felid herpesvirus-1 (FeHV-1) are presented. The animals affected were five kittens, two subadult cats and two adult cats. The microscopical changes included fibrinonecrotic pneumonia and severe necrosis of the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. FeHV-1 antigen was detected immunohistochemically in pneumocytes, alveolar macrophages and necrotic bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells. In the youngest kitten viral antigen was also found in the liver. FeHV-1 infection should therefore be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats with fibrinonecrotic pneumonia and demonstration of viral antigen by immunohistochemistry is a useful diagnostic procedure in such cases.