Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and RNAscope in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) as effective tools to diagnose feline herpesvirus-1-associated dermatitis.

QRT-PCR 2-ΔΔCq analysis and RNA-ISH can identify the FHV-1 genome as causative agent of the associated dermatitis, even where inclusion bodies are not detectable. Both techniques are functional in retrospective studies, have greater specificity than conventional PCR, and may be proposed for research and diagnostic purposes.