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| Diagnosis of FIV is made by demonstrating the presence of antibodies against the virus. ELISA tests are available for in-house use, with some kits detecting antibody to the core protein p24 and others detect antibody to the envelope protein gp4l<sup>2</sup>. Non-haemolysed plasma or serum is used for performing the in-house ELISA. Results must be interpreted with caution. | | Diagnosis of FIV is made by demonstrating the presence of antibodies against the virus. ELISA tests are available for in-house use, with some kits detecting antibody to the core protein p24 and others detect antibody to the envelope protein gp4l<sup>2</sup>. Non-haemolysed plasma or serum is used for performing the in-house ELISA. Results must be interpreted with caution. |
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− | INTERPRETING A POSITIVE RESULT
| + | Once a cat acquires FIV infection, the antibodies created persist for life. This means that an ELISA test at any stage should give a positive rseult. |
− | A positive test result is found in three situations:
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− | * PERSISTENTLY INFECTED CATS. FIV antibodies are
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− | associated with lifelong infection with this virus.
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| * KITTENS BORN TO AN FIV-POSITIVE QUEEN. Passive | | * KITTENS BORN TO AN FIV-POSITIVE QUEEN. Passive |
| transfer of antibodies occurs via the milk, with the | | transfer of antibodies occurs via the milk, with the |
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| These should be interpreted as equivocal results and the | | These should be interpreted as equivocal results and the |
| cat should be retested using a different test. | | cat should be retested using a different test. |
| + | |
| INTERPRETING A NEGATIVE RESULT | | INTERPRETING A NEGATIVE RESULT |
| Negative results indicate one of three possibilities: | | Negative results indicate one of three possibilities: |