Prevalencia de anticuerpos IgG de calicivirus en la población felina atendida en el Consultorio Académico Veterinario Dr. Aníbal Andrade Ortiz, M. Sc. de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil.

Abstract

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a viral agent responsible for respiratory and oral diseases in cats, characterized by its high transmissibility, genetic variability, and persistence in the environment, representing a challenge for feline health worldwide. After FCV infection, the host develops a humoral immune response characterized by the production of IgG antibodies, where their detection allows identifying animals previously exposed to the virus, regardless of the presence of symptoms. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of calicivirus IgG antibodies in the feline population attended at the Dr. Anibal Andrade Ortiz, M.Sc. Academic Veterinary Clinic of the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil de Guayaquil, using Indirect Immunofluorescence. The research was descriptive, non-experimental, with a quantitative approach, and the sample consisted of 100 felines. The results indicated a high prevalence of calicivirus IgG antibodies, reaching 98 % of the feline population attended at the clinic. The main clinical signs in felines with positive calicivirus IgG were identified as gingivitis, followed by sneezing and oral ulcers. Additionally, the correlation between IgG positives and risk factors such as age, sex, origin, ownership, cohabitation, and vaccination showed no statistically significant associations; likewise, between ocular, oral, and respiratory alterations and IgG positives, no associations were found; however, there was a significant correlation between the signs of fever and jaundice and the presence of calicivirus antibodies.