Pilot Study of the Safety and Tolerability of a Subconjunctival Penciclovir Implant in Cats Experimentally Infected with Herpesvirus.

Purpose: To assess safety and tolerability of a subconjunctival penciclovir implant in cats infected with feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1).

Methods: Subconjunctival blank (n = 4 cats) or penciclovir-impregnated (n = 6) silicone implants were placed bilaterally in 10 normal, FHV-1-naive cats 7-8 days before viral inoculation. Outcomes included disease score, FHV-1 serology, conjunctival viral load, Schirmer tear tests (STT), tear film break-up times (TFBUTs), conjunctival histology, goblet cell density (GCD), body weight, tear and plasma penciclovir concentration, and corneal ulcer evaluation.

In vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral efficacy against feline herpesvirus type 1 of famciclovir and its metabolites.

Objectives: To assess in vitro the antiviral efficacy against feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and cytotoxicity for cultured feline cells of famciclovir and its metabolites, BRL 42359 and penciclovir. To investigate the effect of timing of penciclovir application on in vitro antiviral activity.

Procedures: Plaque reduction assays were used to estimate antiviral efficacy of all compounds and the effect of penciclovir exposure before or after exposure to a FHV-1 field isolate.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in canine uveal melanocytic neoplasms.

Objective: To determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is expressed in benign or malignant canine uveal melanocytic neoplasms and whether expression correlates with malignancy.

Sample Population: Tissue sections from 71 globes; 57 with benign (n = 15), malignant (34), or mixed (8) uveal melanocytic neoplasms; 10 with nonneoplastic disease; and 4 with no abnormalities.

Procedures: Bleached sections from all globes and canine kidney were incubated with mouse monoclonal antibody directed against rat COX-2 protein or mouse antibody isotype control.

Assessment of viremia associated with experimental primary feline herpesvirus infection or presumed herpetic recrudescence in cats.

Objective: To detect feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) in blood of cats undergoing experimental primary herpetic disease or with spontaneous disease presumed to be caused by FHV-1 reactivation.

Animals: 6 young specific-pathogen-free (SPF) cats and 34 adult cats from a shelter.

Procedures: Conjunctiva and nares of SPF cats were inoculated with FHV-1, and cats were monitored for 21 days.

Effects of sampling instrument and processing technique on DNA yield and detection rate for feline herpesvirus-1 via polymerase chain reaction assay.

Objective: To assess effects of disease severity, sampling instrument, and processing technique on extracted DNA yield and detection rate for feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) via PCR assay.

Sample Population: Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells grown in vitro and conjunctival samples from 40 eyes of 20 cats.

Procedures: Samples of CRFK cells (collected by use of a swab or cytology brush, with or without suspension in PBS solution) underwent DNA extraction; DNA yield was quantified spectrophotometrically.