| 1. NCBI Taxonomy ID: |
| 11135 |
| 2. Disease: |
| Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) |
| 3. Introduction |
Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) is a feline coronavirus that causes feline infectious peritonitis. Infection is ubiquitous in domestic cats, especially where conditions are crowded. FIPV can survive in for 7 weeks in a dry environment and may be transmitted indirectly via fomites. FPIV is an enveloped single stranded RNA virus. Most FIPV-infected cats either stay healthy or show only a mild enteritis. Only a proportion of FPIV-infected cats will develop FIP, a pyogranulomatous
vasculitis (Addie et al., 2009). |
| 4. Microbial Pathogenesis |
|
The pathogenesis of FIP may be explained by an increased number of mutants, stochastically arising during bursts of replication (eg, under immune suppression), some of them growing to high concentrations in monocytes and macrophages. Mutations have been identified in non-structural genes, and more may remain to be identified. These highly virulent FPIV mutants have consistently induced FIP under experimental conditions, but their virulence has not been traced to a molecular source. The viral load and the cat’s immune response determine whether FIP will develop. Both viral genetics and host immunity are likely to play a role in the development of FIP. The pathology of FIP has been classified into two forms: an effusive (wet) FIP characterised by polyserositis (eg, thoracic and abdominal effusion)and vasculitis, and a non-effusive (dry) FIP characterised by granulomatous lesions in organs (Addie et al., 2009). |
| 5. Host Ranges and Animal Models |
| Domestic cats |
| 6. Host Protective Immunity |
| It has been suggested that cats mounting a strong cell-mediated immune response do not develop FIP, whereas cats showing a predominantly humoral response progress to disease. Hypergammaglobulinaemia is common in cats with FIP. Also, a drastic depletion of T cells from blood and lymphoid tissues has been described (Addie et al., 2009). |
