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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (view source)
Revision as of 13:44, 27 August 2010
, 13:44, 27 August 2010→Laboratory Tests
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.
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.
Once a cat acquires FIV infection, the antibodies created persist for life. This means that an ELISA test at any stage after infection should give a positive result. However, false positives No test is 100 per cent accurate
and so the clinical signs and background of the cat
should be taken into account when assessing test results.
Generally, a specificity of around 98 per cent is recognised
with practice test kits.
Weak positive test results are usually seen when there
is non-specific binding causing a partial colour change.
These should be interpreted as equivocal results and the
cat should be retested using a different test.
* KITTENS BORN TO AN FIV-POSITIVE QUEEN. Passive
* KITTENS BORN TO AN FIV-POSITIVE QUEEN. Passive
queens are not antibody tested until they are at least six
queens are not antibody tested until they are at least six
months old.
months old.
* FALSE POSITIVE RESULT. No test is 100 per cent accurate
* FALSE POSITIVE RESULT.
INTERPRETING A NEGATIVE RESULT
INTERPRETING A NEGATIVE RESULT