Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Question 1

FIV is spread predominantly by

Answer 1

biting

Question 2

FIV is present in

Answer 2

saliva, blood, body fluids

Question 3

is in-utero FIV infection possible?

Answer 3

yes

Question 4

FIV is most common in

Answer 4

male, free roaming cats

Question 5

Do cats recover from FIV infection?

Answer 5

No. All persistently infected.

Question 6

Main cellular target of FIV

Answer 6

CD4+

[+many others - complex effects on the immune system]

Question 7

Pathogenesis of FIV

Answer 7

• inoculation (usually via bite wound)
• initial viraemia. Subsides after 3-6mo
  …usually years…
• depletion of T & B cells
• immunodeficiency

Question 8

The two outcomes of FIV infection

Answer 8

1. Terminal phase: death fromopportunistic infections, neoplastic or neurologic disease or myelosuppression, immune mediated disease.
2. death from other causes without entering terminal phase

Question 9

CSs FIV infection

Answer 9

non-specific. Weight loss, lethargy, inappetance, lymphadenopathy, gingivitis/stomatitis, pyrexia, chronic URT signs or chronic diarrhoea or skin disease.

Question 10

Testing for FIV

Answer 10

for antibodies against p24 or p120

Should confirm with immunofluorescence, WB or PCR

Question 11

Issue with testing

Answer 11

10-15% infected cats have no detectable antibodies

• early in infection
• immune collapse
• failure of test kit

Question 12

May get -ve AB test in advanced FIP due to

Answer 12

Immune collapse

Question 13

Management of FIV +ve animals

Answer 13

• house inside + neuter
• avoid raw food and hunting
• inactivated vaccine ONLY if in contact with other cats.

Question 14

Does the FIV vaccine cause a +ve test result?

Answer 14

Yes - general test used is for AB.