Experimental infections of feline reovirus serotype 2 isolates.

Pathogenicity of feline reovirus serotype 2 isolates, Nos. 114 and 140 strains recovered from the feces of cats with diarrhea, was experimentally determined. Kittens orally inoculated with No. 114 strain did not show any clinical signs. Fecal consistency of kittens inoculated with No. 140 strain became rather diarrheic on the 3rd and 4th days after inoculation, but any other clinical abnormalities were not observed. Virus was excreted for the first five to six days after inoculation. Seroconversion was observed in the sera of all the inoculated kittens. Virus excretion and seroconversion were also noted in all contact control kittens. These results may indicate that feline reovirus serotype 2 is mildly pathogenic in cats.