dog and cat assay data sheet

Feline sarcoma virus (FeSV)

Test code: S0190 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of feline sarcomavirus by real time polymerase chain reaction

Feline sarcoma viruses (FeSV) arise as a result of recombination of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) with parts of the host cell genome. The recombinant viruses have deletions rendering them unable to replicate without the help of wild-type FeLV. However, because these recombinant viruses still contain a mutated cellular oncogene as a result of the recombination, they are capable of causing tumors, mainly of fibroblastic cells.

FeSV has been reported worldwide, but it is uncommon. FeSV-induced tumors are seen only in cats persistently infected with FeLV. Since the tumors usually contain both FeLV and FeSV, the tumors are transmissible experimentally, but there is no evidence that natural cat-to-cat transmission occurs. In fact, FeSV is found almost entirely in the tumor itself, and only wild-type FeLV is shed from affected cats.

FeSV-induced tumors usually appear as multiple, ulcerative or nodular, non-healing skin lesions, which recur after surgical excision. Metastasis to internal organs may occur late in the course of the disease. All affected cats have FeLV viremia. Unlike spontaneous fibrosarcomas of cats, which are usually solitary and seen in older cats, most FeSV-induced tumors are seen in cats 1-7 years old.

Diagnosis is usually based on history, FeLV status and histological confirmation of fibrosarcoma, although complete confirmation of the diagnosis requires extensive laboratory studies, performed by PCR or other methods (Deim et al., 2008).

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis
• Help ensure that feline populations are free of FeSV
• Minimize human exposure to this virus

Specimen requirement: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected