Preprint Communication Version 3 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Effect of Specific Probiotic Mixture on Coronavirus (FeCoV) Viral Load in 25 Naturally-Infected, Clinically Healthy, Purebred Birmanian Cats

Version 1 : Received: 15 November 2023 / Approved: 16 November 2023 / Online: 16 November 2023 (02:58:30 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 16 November 2023 / Approved: 17 November 2023 / Online: 17 November 2023 (04:38:13 CET)
Version 3 : Received: 19 November 2023 / Approved: 20 November 2023 / Online: 20 November 2023 (05:37:53 CET)

How to cite: Mangiaterra, S.; Cerquetella, M.; Gavazza, A.; Turba, M. E.; Berardi, S.; Biagini, L.; Rossi, G. Effect of Specific Probiotic Mixture on Coronavirus (FeCoV) Viral Load in 25 Naturally-Infected, Clinically Healthy, Purebred Birmanian Cats. Preprints 2023, 2023111042. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.1042.v3 Mangiaterra, S.; Cerquetella, M.; Gavazza, A.; Turba, M. E.; Berardi, S.; Biagini, L.; Rossi, G. Effect of Specific Probiotic Mixture on Coronavirus (FeCoV) Viral Load in 25 Naturally-Infected, Clinically Healthy, Purebred Birmanian Cats. Preprints 2023, 2023111042. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.1042.v3

Abstract

Feline coronavirus (FeCoV) causes enteric disease in cat worldwide. In general, FeCoV infection is characterized by self- limiting gastroenteritis but not understood changes can give rise to mutants that lead to the development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). In cats, FeCoV replicates in the intestines and spreads by fecal-oral transmission and persists in multi-cats households by infec-tion and re-infection by the same or another viral strain. Although current evidence shows that probiotics have promise for enhancing health benefits protecting from viral infection, today there are no studies regarding the use of probiotics in reducing fecal emission of feline coronavirus in naturally infected cats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of specific mul-ti-strain probiotics on FeCoV viral load in 25 naturally-infected cats. The study population con-sisted of purebred Birmanian cats, of which 14 females and 11 males, aged from1 to 4 years, and positive for FeCov by Real-time PCR on fecal sample. Two microcaps of probiotic formulation containing billion bacteria were administered to all cat once a day for 60 consecutive days. After probiotic administration, clinical conditions and FeCov viral load was assessed by Real-time PCR on fecal samples. All animals did not present alteration in the clinical condition at T1 (after probiotic administration); seventeen out of 25 cats tested negative at the end of the study, while the remaining 8 cats tested positive at the end of the study. The results of the present study suggest that high concentrations of live probiotics supplementation are well-tolerated and may poten-tially reduce the fecal FeCoV viral load.

Keywords

FeCov; cat; Birmanian; probiotic; fecal viral-load

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Veterinary Medicine

Comments (1)

Comment 1
Received: 20 November 2023
Commenter: SARA MANGIATERRA
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author
Comment: In according with Editor suggestion, we modified tha main text in the abstract, changing the numbering of materials and methods, checking bibliography n.25 and n.26. We have also added a missing section on conflicts of interest. All changes are highlighted in yellow.
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