Chlamydial infections in animals
Chlamydophila felis : vaccination and
treatment
Cats that recover from C. felis infection develop
weak resistance to reinfection (Cello,
1971). An attenuated
 FP Baker strain live vaccine has been applied widely as a live vaccine. Although vaccination reduced the incidence and severity of chlamydial disease
(Mitzel and Strating, 1977), shedding of the organism and reinfection may not be prevented.
Chlamydiae were detected in secretions from cats, including conjunctival discharges and faeces
(Wills et al., 1987). As the live, attenuated vaccines may cause conjunctivitis, they are not recommended for use in pregnant cats.
Tetracycline is commonly used to treat chlamydial conjunctivitis, and
generally results in rapid improvement. [MEW Comment: As it is
likely that the cat's upper respiratory tract and possibly the gastro-intestinal
tract will also be infected, it is sensible, by analogy with human chlamydial
conjunctivitis, to treat systemically].
NEXT: Chlamydophila
caviae infections
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