Abstract:
Feline infectious peritonitis
(FIP) is an infectious lethal cat diseases,
prodused by a mutant feline coronavirus
(feline infectious peritonitis virus), which is
manifested in two clinical forms. Dry form
may go unnoticed or be confused with other
diseases. Wet form, however, evolve with
ascites fluid accumulation, its appearance
being correlated with end-stage of the
disease. Research has pursued the efficiency
of direct immunofluorescence test for the
identification of coronavirus -
anticoronavirus antibody complexes in
ascites fluid. Nine ascites fluid samples,
obtained from cats aged between 1,7 months
and 13 years, diagnosed with feline
infectious peritonitis, were analyzed. The
antibody titrers were assessed using indirect
immunofluorescence on pig kidney (PK)
cell cultures infected with TGEV, on three
samples, titres ranging from 1/25 and 1/625.
All nine ascites fluid samples tested by
direct immunofluorescence for detection of
coronavirus specific antibodies complexes
were positive. In images obtained with UV
in microscopy, fluorescence being seen in
the macrophages under the form of a ring
arranged on the periphery of the cell
membrane and fluorescence localized
intracellularly, probably internalized
immune complexes. The results lead us to
recommend the use of this test for FIP rapid
diagnostic.
