Improving Incidence of Upper Respiratory Infections in Shelter Kittens

Lisa L. Powell, DVM, DACVECC, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Critical Consults, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Preventive Medicine

|April/May 2021

This is a filled error message

Account sign in.

To access full articles on www.cliniciansbrief.com, please sign in below.

Forgot password?

Create Account

Trusted content.

Tailored to you.

For free.

Create an account for free

Want free access to the #1 publication for diagnostic and treatment information? Create a free account to read full articles and access web-exclusive content on www.cliniciansbrief.com.

In the Literature

Jaynes RA, Thompson MC, Kennedy MA. Effect of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of the air on the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in kittens in a nursery. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020;257(9):929-932.

FROM THE PAGE…

Airborne pathogens that cause respiratory infections can contribute to significant illness in kittens housed in animal shelters. These pathogens, including feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydia felis, and Mycoplasma spp, can persist on surfaces and lead to fomite transmission. Intensive disinfection can help decrease the persistence of these pathogens and other contagions in a shelter environment. Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation has been found to effectively disinfect surfaces, air, and water¹ and to decrease the spread of respiratory infections in humans when added to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.^2-5

This study compared the incidence of upper respiratory infections (URIs) in a kitten nursery setting before and after a UV germicidal irradiation system was installed in an HVAC system. Incidence of URIs (ie, URIs per 100 kittens housed) prior to installation of the UV irradiation system was compared with the incidence of URIs after the UV irradiation system was in place 2 years later. Records were reviewed for the number of kittens housed in the nursery, as well as the number of kittens diagnosed with URI based on clinical signs. Intensive disinfection and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols for staff remained as standard operating procedures.

Evaluation of incidence of infection revealed a significant decrease in URIs diagnosed in kittens after the UV germicidal irradiation system was in use. Incidence of URIs was 12.4 prior to and 1.6 after (2 years later) installation of the UV system—an 87.1% decrease in development of URIs.

…TO YOUR PATIENTS

Key pearls to put into practice:

In a shelter environment where URIs are common and easily transmitted, addition of a UV germicidal irradiation system could significantly decrease incidence of infections caused by common respiratory viruses.

Strict disinfection protocols and consideration for UV germicidal irradiation in shelter environments are also important.

UV irradiation in other veterinary environments (eg, general clinics, intensive care units, research facilities, rescue/large shelter organizations) could also be considered. It is unknown whether other types of viruses, bacteria, or fungal organisms may be susceptible to UV irradiation; thus, further studies are warranted.

References

Kowalski W. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation handbook: UVGI for air and surface disinfection. Springer; 2009:1-501.
Wells MW, Holla WA. Ventilation in the flow of measles and chickenpox through a community. J Am Med Assoc. 1950;142(17):1337-1344.
Riley RL. The ecology of indoor atmospheres: airborne infection in hospitals. J Chronic Dis. 1972;25(8):421-423.
Menzies D, Popa J, Hanley JA, Rand T, Milton DK. Effect of ultraviolet germicidal lights installed in office ventilation systems on workers’ health and wellbeing: double-blind multiple crossover trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9398):1785-1791.
Escombe AR, Moore DAJ, Gilman RH, et al. Upper-room ultraviolet light and negative air ionization to prevent tuberculosis transmission. PLoS Med. 2009;6(3):e43.

For global readers, a calculator to convert laboratory values, dosages, and other measurements to SI units can be found here.

All Clinician's Brief content is reviewed for accuracy at the time of publication. Previously published content may not reflect recent developments in research and practice.

Material from Clinician's Brief may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in whole or in part without prior permission of Educational Concepts, LLC. For questions or inquiries please contact us.