Feline herpes virus-1 associated facial and perianal dermatitis in a cat

We herein describe a feline case of facial dermatitis whose histopathological features resembled to those of FHV-associated ulcerative dermatitis. A 3-year-old, intact male domestic short-haired cat was presented with 2-years history of pruritic dermatitis that initially appeared on periocular area and extended toward the entire face. The cat had ocular discharge and conjunctivitis from 2-month of age. Clinically, skin lesions were characterized as erythema, erosions and ulcers covered with crusts on the facial and perianal area. Histopathologically, the facial lesion was characterized as interface dermatitis with hydropic degeneration at the basal layer, and single cell necrosis of keratinocytes. In addition, the epidermal and dermal necrosis infiltrated with eosinophils, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in keratinocytes were also recognized. Moreover, feline herpesvirus-1 gene was detected by a PCR analysis using a swab obtained from the crusted lesions. Based upon these findings, the present case was considered as having FHV-associated ulcerative dermatitis. Therapy including oral acyclovir and topical recombinant feline interferon omega resulted in marked improvement of the skin and mucosal lesions.