Changes

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 gp4l². 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 gp4l². 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 after infection should give a positive result. However, false positives No test is 100 per cent accurate

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, the test has a sensitivity of 98%, and so false positives do occur. Because of this, animals that test positive to an in-house ELISA, should be re-tested using a different test. Laboratories offer an immunoblot (Western blot) to confirm the diagnosis in cats that test ELISA-positive. The problem of using a test that detects anitbodies becomes apparent when it is neccessart to test kittens that are born to an FIV-positive queen.  

and so the clinical signs and background of the cat

Passive

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.

cat should be retested using a different test.

 

 

* 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

result that maternally derived antibodies may be

result that maternally derived antibodies may be