Serological responses to the cell associated herpesvirus and the manx calicivirus of SPF male cats with herpesvirus-induced urolithiasis.

The feline cell associated herpesvirus (CAHV), but not the Manx calicivirus, was previously reported to induce urolithiasis in specific pathogen free (SPF) cats. Serum neutralization (SN) antibody studies, reported here, revealed that the experimental SPF cats did not have SN antibodies either against the CAHV or the Manx calicivirus in preinoculation serum samples. However, all cats inoculated with the CAHV (either alone or in combination with the Manx virus) developed SN antibodies against the herpesvirus. SN antibodies against the CAHV were detected 21 days post inoculation (PI) in 7 cats, 41 days PI in 4 cats, and 89 days PI in 1 cat. Cats inoculated with the Manx calicivirus alone, or in combination with the CAHV developed SN antibodies against the calicivirus in 7 to 21 days PI with that virus.