wildlife and zoo assay data sheet
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
Test codes:
S0106
- Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of feline
immunodeficiency virus by reverse transcription coupled real time
polymerase chain reaction.
S0117
- QUANTITATIVE detection of feline immunodeficiency virus by
1-step reverse transcription coupled real time PCR. Assay
detects and quantitates copies per ml of FIV RNA present in
plasma from EDTA whole blood.
Feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is an RNA lentivirus that can
weaken the immune response of cats, similar to what human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does to humans. The virus can
infect both domestic cats and wild cats such as cheetahs and
lions. It
attacks and weakens the body’s immune system, making the animal
susceptible to infections and diseases that usually do not
affect healthy cats. There is no cure for FIV. Though eventually
fatal, an FIV-positive cat can live and infect other cats for
many years without any sign of illness.
FIV occurs
worldwide, but its prevalence varies geographically. About 1.5%
to 3% of domestic cats in the United States are infected with FIV. About
5% of FIV-positive cats also have feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
There are a
number of risk factors for FIV infection. Older cats are more
likely to be infected -- the average age of cats with FIV is 5
years at the time of diagnosis. Free-roaming cats are more
likely to be infected than indoor cats. Aggressive male cats
that roam and fight with other cats are more likely to be
infected than females and nonaggressive males because FIV is a
bloodborne pathogen. Sick cats are much more likely to have FIV
-- in the United States about 15% of cats that show clinical
signs of another disease are also infected with FIV.
Serology has
been used to diagnose FIV-infected cats. However, cats with
weakened immune response will not be reliably detected by
serology, as that method depends on the cat’s production of
antibodies. Molecular detection by PCR overcomes this immune
response problem, as it directly detects the pathogen itself
rather than the cat’s immune response. PCR is also rapid, highly
sensitive and specific.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus infection
-
Help ensure that feline groups are free of FIV
-
Early prevention of spread of FIV between cats by
identifying latent carriers
-
Minimize human exposure to FIV
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from susceptible animals
Specimen
requirement:
S0106
- 0.2 ml
whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube.
S0117
- 0.2 ml
whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml
plasma.
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
Methodologies:
S0106
- Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
S0117
- Quantitative 1-step
reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected