3. CATS: Feline immunodeficiency virus infection (FIV) (RETROVIRUS)

Question 1

disease

Answer 1

-viral disease of cats

-feline immunodeficiency virus infection

Question 2

caused by

Answer 2

Retrovirus

Question 3

characterized by

Answer 3

chronic immunosuppression

Question 4

HR

Answer 4

all Felidae

Question 5

more in

Answer 5

-males than females

> adult male sexually intact free-roaming cats (‘‘fighting cats’’) are at HIGHER risk for infection

Question 6

adults

Answer 6

more than kittens

> most common infections in more 6 year olds

Question 7

where

Answer 7

-worldwide

> prevalence higher where more free-roaming cats (Italy, Japan)

> prevalence in U.S ;
-client-owned cats 2.5-6%
-stray cats 3.5-23%

Question 8

transmission: excretion

Answer 8

-saliva

-blood

Question 9

ways of transmission

Answer 9

-direct contact

-(in utero)

Question 10

transmission: route

Answer 10

-via bite wounds

-mating

Question 11

CS: FIV infection most often occurs

Answer 11

without overt CS

Question 12

CS: when clinical manifestation occur, usually associated with

Answer 12

-secondary infections that develop due IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

-signs due to neoplasia (increased risk of lymphoma)

-FIV-associated neurologic dysfunction

Question 13

CS: ACUTE phase

Answer 13

-usually unnoticed but may cause : fever, lethargy or lymphadenopathy

> lasts days to few weeks

Question 14

CS: LATENT phase

Answer 14

-asymptomatic

> lasts for months to several years

Question 15

CS: TERMINAL phase (feline AIDS)

Answer 15

CS related to:

1. secondary infections: enteric, respiratory, cutaneus or other
2. tumors
3. infection of CNS - behavioral changes, seizures, paresis

Question 16

conversion to terminal phase

Answer 16

CANNOT BE PREDICTED

Question 17

DDx

Answer 17

-FeLV

-toxoplasmosis

-FIP: noneffusive form

Question 18

diagnosis: material

Answer 18

blood

Question 19

diagnosis: in the lab

Answer 19

-ELISA (antibodies)
>CAN’T disntinguish antibodies from vaccine and from infection
>up to 8 weeks required to produce antibodies after infection
>kittens: maternal antibodies less 12 weeks
>false-postitives

-PCR
>less 50% false-negatives

Question 20

FIV-antibody test

Answer 20

1. FIV antibody-positive:
   >all test confirmed, cats with vaccinated whole-virus = positive, re.test 60d interval
2. FIV antibody-negative:
   >retest ASAP, neg.screening test highly reliable!

Question 21

Tx

Answer 21

-lifestyle management

> staying INDOORS: prevent transmission and secondary infections

> if secondary infections: ABs

> FIV-positives may have excellent quality of life for years > not reason to euthanasia !!

Question 22

vaccination

Answer 22

YES !!!!!

Question 23

agent

Answer 23

-agent: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

> genus Lentivirus

> family Retroviridae

> RNA virus

> 5 serotypes (A-E)
-In Europe A, B, C and D
-one cat can be infected with multiple serotypes at same time = SUPERINFECTION