PCR diagnostics of cats. Diagnosis of coronavirus infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

I. What tests should be taken for a cat or a cat picked up on the street?

Strictly speaking, the attending physician should prescribe studies depending on the condition of the animal, but a competent specialist will still prescribe some combination from the list below. I recommend taking tests even for perfectly healthy-looking animals. Why, it will become clear as you read this article. But in kittens up to 2 months old, it makes no sense to take blood for tests, including for checking for infections.

Arrange the analyzes by priority:

For panleukopenia (PCR method).
For sluggish viral infections (by PCR).
General clinical blood test (fasting 4 hours is required before donation)
Biochemical blood test (fasting 8-12 hours is required before donation).
Analysis of urine. (general clinical, as well as the ratio of protein-creatinine).

Let's take a closer look:

Panleukopenia or distemper of cats (parvovirus infection). The most contagious and deadly disease in cats. Not transmitted to humans and other animal species. If left untreated, it often leads to death, especially in kittens. Vaccination with an imported preparation, carried out annually according to all the rules (with double deworming) effectively protects against this disease. Therefore, if you have unvaccinated cats at home, then the analysis is extremely important. But even if you do not have other cats at home or they are vaccinated, I still strongly recommend that you take this test.

Even a perfectly healthy-looking animal can be a carrier of this most dangerous virus (the incubation period is from 4 to 21 days) and if the analysis detects a virus, doctors can take appropriate measures to mitigate the course of the disease. Until the result is obtained, I recommend observing.

Tests for sluggish infections. The 4 most common infections are feline viral leukemia, feline immunodeficiency, feline viral peritonitis (FIP), and coronavirus (viral enteritis). Not transmitted to humans and other animal species. Testing is essential if you have your own cats (and it doesn't matter if they are vaccinated or not, because there are no effective vaccinations against these viruses). If there are no other cats in the apartment, then it is still desirable to know about the presence of the virus in the body of the animal. these infections can “doze” for years without any visible manifestations, but become more active in the event of a stressful effect on the body (from a strong anthelmintic drug to anesthesia during surgery) and go into an acute stage. There is no effective treatment for leukemia, immunodeficiency, and acute FIP. There is supportive therapy, but it is not always effective. Until the result is obtained, I recommend observing.

The cost of analysis by PCR (I recommend only this method) is 300-600 rubles, excluding the cost of blood sampling for each (rectal smear), depending on the laboratory or clinic. The result is in 1-3 days, also depending on the laboratory. Some laboratories combine these analyzes into one so-called. profile to save money. For example, the Nucleom laboratory, through the Zoo Academy veterinary clinic, provides an opportunity to take tests for sluggish infections using the PCR method as part of the profile for 900 rubles (and it does NOT include coronavirus, which is recommended to be taken for an additional 300 rubles, but panleukopenia (!) Is included and hemobartonellosis is added). To date, this is the most profitable of the proposals known to me in Moscow. In other laboratories and veterinary clinics, such a study can cost 2 times more.

General clinical blood test. Fasting for 4 hours is required before delivery. Very informative for doctors. He will talk about acute conditions, for example, inflammatory processes in the body, and help the doctor choose the right drugs for treatment, if necessary. Confirm or refute the results of studies No. 1-2. At the same time, it costs inexpensively 300-600 rubles (excluding the cost of blood sampling), therefore it is strictly recommended for delivery, for any blood sampling, for example, for studies No. 1-2.

Biochemical study of blood. Before delivery, fasting for 8-12 hours is necessary. It will show the condition of the internal organs and help the doctor prescribe the right treatment if necessary. As well as study #3, the analysis can help confirm the results of studies #2. It is a set of indicators, so the cost varies depending on their number and on the laboratory. As a rule, there is no need to puzzle over what indicators to take. any laboratory combines them into special profiles. You can take the standard or extended. The cost varies depending on the clinic and laboratory. A standard profile costs from 900 rubles, an extended profile from 1,200 rubles without taking into account the cost of blood sampling.

Important note. It makes no sense to donate blood biochemistry: a) pregnant women, b) kittens up to 4 months old, c) earlier than one month after surgery with anesthesia! The result will be highly distorted and may mislead the doctor, who will prescribe unnecessary treatment.

Analysis of urine. 5.1. General clinical. 5.2. Protein/creatinine ratio.

The most difficult research in terms of obtaining material. But to collect it, you do not need to take the animal to the clinic. A very important study that can detect kidney problems or signs of urolithiasis at an early stage, which study #3 will never be able to show. At the same time, it does not have the same urgency as in studies #1-3. Urine must be collected in a clean (!) Tray. You can use a special urine collection kit (cost 300-400 rubles), which is a granule that does not absorb liquid, and a container for urine. You can also use a regular syringe (20 ml) without a needle to collect urine from the tray. It can also be transported to a laboratory or veterinary clinic. Certain conditions must be met. The analysis should not be stored for more than 5 hours from the moment of collection until the moment it is placed in laboratory equipment. It must be stored and transported in the cold. When transporting, I recommend using a thermal bag and refrigerant. If you do not have a refrigerant, then you can use frozen vegetables J. The average cost is about 600 rubles.

II. Where to take tests?

A) It is possible in the clinic, combined with the initial appointment with a doctor. In any case, you will have to go to the doctor with the test results, because. interpretation of analyzes No. 3-5 requires medical qualification.

B) Directly in specialized laboratories. In this case, you will have to decide for yourself what to hand over and what not.

At the same time, many veterinary clinics have their own laboratories capable of conducting research No. 3-5, while research on viruses requires more expensive equipment, so clinics, without it, send the collected material to specialized laboratories with which they cooperate. The most famous laboratories in Moscow (in alphabetical order): Vettest, Neovet, Nucleom, Pasteur, TsMD (Zvenigorod highway), Chance bio (network). With which laboratories a particular veterinary clinic cooperates (it is desirable that there be more than one), as well as the cost of analyzes, I recommend that you find out in advance. As a rule, all laboratories have high-quality equipment, but the quality of the results obtained, unfortunately, is highly dependent on the human factor. So this is to some extent a lottery, and sometimes you have to retake tests in different laboratories in order to confirm or refute this or that result.

Read about the rules in a separate article.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method of molecular diagnostics that has become the "gold standard" for many infections, time-tested and thoroughly tested clinically. The high sensitivity and specificity of the method make it possible to reliably detect single pathogens in biological material based on their genetic information. The analytical sensitivity of PCR for most viruses and bacteria is 1000 microorganisms per 1 ml of sample. The specificity of PCR for viral, chlamydial, mycoplasmal and most other bacterial infections reaches 100%.

The PCR method was developed relatively recently, but by now it has managed to take a leading position in both medical and veterinary laboratory diagnostics of infectious and parasitic diseases. The basic principles of PCR were discovered in 1983 by the American chemist Cary B. Mullis, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize.

PCR analysis consists of several stages. The first stage - sample preparation - consists in the processing of the test material (preparation of a suspension, centrifugation). At the second stage, the hereditary material - DNA or RNA - is isolated from the cells. In this case, after cell lysis and the destruction of the DNA-protein complex, DNA or RNA is deposited on the sorbent, followed by their transfer to the elution buffer. At the third stage, amplification is carried out, that is, the multiplication of the number of specific DNA sections. For this, test systems are used, which include primers - oligonucleotides, which are specific for each pathogen. Samples and controls are added to the PCR mixture poured into microtubes, which are placed in an amplifier or thermal cycler - a programmable thermostat with high speed and accuracy of the set temperature. The amplification process includes three stages: denaturation, annealing and elongation. When RNA viruses are detected in clinical specimens, amplification is preceded by a reverse transcription step in which RNA is converted into DNA using the enzyme reverse transcriptase, or reversetase. The fourth stage of PCR diagnostics is the electrophoretic detection of PCR products - amplicons. In this case, the PCR products are placed in the wells of an agarose gel and subjected to a constant electric current, as a result of which a negatively charged DNA molecule moves to the positive electrode. The gel contains ethidium bromide, which, forming a stable complex with DNA, makes these bands clearly visible when viewed under ultraviolet irradiation (Fig. 1).

Rice. 1. PCR steps

It should be noted that in order to obtain a reliable result of PCR analysis, a necessary condition is compliance with the rules for the selection, storage and transportation of clinical material. Although PCR is a very sensitive method, it is desirable to have a certain amount of the pathogen in the sample.

Taking material for PCR research should be carried out in disposable non-talc gloves (since talc inhibits PCR). When taking scrapings and washings, disposable sterile probes with increased adsorption (having a brush at the end) should be used, as they select the optimal amount of material.

Scrapings and flushes from the mucous membranes of the nose, oral cavity, vagina, conjunctiva, they are taken into disposable plastic microtubes - eppendorfs - with a volume of 1.5 ml, into which 0.5 ml of sterile saline is poured. It is advisable not to use probes with cotton tips. Breaking off the tip of the probe into the saline tube should also be avoided, as this makes further processing difficult and increases the risk of sample cross-contamination. To obtain the required amount of material, it is enough to rotate the probe in the test tube for 1-2 minutes, avoiding splashing of the liquid. The sample should be cloudy in appearance, and on standing it should form a small precipitate.

Blood sampling carried out with a disposable needle into a disposable syringe or into a glass tube without anticoagulant. When taken into a syringe, the blood from it is carefully (without foaming) transferred to a disposable glass tube. It is possible to use vacuum systems ("Vacuette") for blood sampling. Blood serum can be provided for research: test tubes with blood are left at room temperature for 30 minutes until a clot is completely formed, then centrifuged at 3 thousand rpm for 10 minutes and transferred in an amount of at least 1 ml into sterile eppendorfs with a volume of 1, 5 ml.

sperm collected in sterile disposable test tubes or vials.

Urine. The first portion of morning urine is taken in an amount of at least 20-40 ml in a sterile dry vial or test tube.

Feces. Samples weighing 1-3 grams are taken from a pre-disinfected and washed tray, transferred with disposable spatulas to a sterile vial.

Pieces of affected organs from dead animals are taken into sterile disposable containers or into clean glass or plastic containers.

The temperature regimes of storage and transportation of the selected material should be strictly observed. Transportation is carried out in a thermal container with cooling elements or in a thermos with ice. When storing the material for more than a day, it must be frozen at T minus 20°C.

The most common diseases in cats and dogs are conjunctivitis, rhinotracheitis, and enteritis. In order to find out the etiology of the disease, it is required to conduct high-quality laboratory diagnostics.

Conjunctivitis or upper respiratory tract infections in cats can be caused by infection with the following microorganisms: herpesvirus type 1 (FHV1), feline calicivirus, Chlamediapcittaci. Mycoplasma felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Feline reovirus, Staphylococcuc aureus, Brohaemolytic streptococcic and Salmonella tephimurium.

The most common causes, according to various authors and research methods, are the herpes virus type FHY1 (from 10% to 34%) and feline calicivirus (from 20% to 53%). Chlamydia pcittaci (10% to 35%).

Herpes virus infection associated with abortion, high neonatal mortality (infection of almost 60% of cases) with signs of interstitial pneumonia.
Calicivirus - severe in kittens, at the same time, 25-80% of ill adult animals become carriers and are a source of infection, transmitting the virus through saliva.

Panleukopenia- a contagious viral disease of cats, characterized by a sharp drop in the level of leukocytes, gastroenteritis, rhinitis with conjunctivitis, high mortality (30-90% of sick kittens).

The real scourge for nurseries is feline infectious peritonitis- a serious disease, the causative agent of which is an RNA-containing highly pathogenic virus. The virus replicates in the tonsils and enterocytes of the small intestine, dispersing throughout the body through macrophages and monocytes. Coronaviruses with low virulence cause moderate enteritis, most often in kittens after weaning. Highly virulent coronavirus can lead to the development of dry or effusion peritonitis. Peritonitis is often accompanied by renal failure, hepatic and neurological symptoms.

When infected adenoviruses both types and virus carnivore plague dogs show a common set of symptoms: fever, conjunctivitis and rhinotracheitis, gastrointestinal upset, and damage to the nervous system.

At plague of carnivores clinical signs may include seromucosal nasal and conjunctival discharge, cough, dyspnea, pneumonia, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as fever and hyperkeratosis.

Carnivore Adenovirus. The causative agent is a DNA-containing carnivorous adenovirus of the first type (causes infectious hepatitis in carnivores) and the second type (causes adenovirus in dogs). Fever, apathy, anorexia, thirst, vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal wall tenderness on palpation are observed. Sometimes develop conjunctivitis, keratitis, photophobia. There may be pinpoint hemorrhages on the mucous membrane and skin. Neurological disorders are rarely observed.

All of these diseases have a high contagiousness index and are associated with high mortality among puppies, 10-50% of diseased puppies die from parvovirus enteritis, when unvaccinated puppies are infected with canine distemper virus, mortality reaches 100%.

Toxoplasmosis. The causative agent is the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Reproduction of the pathogen occurs in cats on the walls of the intestine. With feces, they secrete oocysts into the external environment.

Tissue cysts can cause anorexia, depression, keratitis, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms depending on the affected organs. In dogs, clinical symptoms depend on the affected organs: neurological disorders (tremor, ataxia, paralysis) or toxoplasmic myositis (gait disturbance, muscle atrophy, rigidity) may be observed, as well as myocarditis and hepatitis.

Chlamydia and ornithosis. Pathogens in cats - Chlamydophila felts, in dogs - Chlamydophila abortus, Ch. pecorum, in both cases the disease can be caused by Ch. psittaci. In birds - Ch. psittaci.
In cats, the disease manifests itself mainly in the form of purulent and non-purulent conjunctivitis and keratitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, vaginitis, abortions and infertility can also be observed. Neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis occurs in kittens. In dogs, the symptoms are varied and are manifested by inflammatory diseases of the conjunctiva, genital organs, gastritis, arthritis, abortion and infertility. There is evidence of a role for chlamydia in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in dogs.

Mycoplasmosis. The causative agents are microorganisms of the genus Mycoplasma. It proceeds with signs of bronchopneumonia, keratoconjunctivitis and keratitis.

Viru sleepy immunodeficiency in cats. Cat immunodeficiency is a severe disease caused by a virus from the Retrovoridae family, genus Lentivirus. The virus attacks the immune and nervous systems. It has a tropism for T-lymphocytes. As a result of immunosuppression, the body becomes defenseless against bacteria, fungi, viruses and dies from a secondary infection.
Clinical signs develop slowly and the disease is more common in cats aged 6-10 years.

There are also such diseases in pets as: leptospirosis of dogs, listeriosis of cats and dogs, yersiniosis of puppies, brucellosis, rotovirus enteritis, rabies.

The correctness of the PCR analysis and the qualitative isolation of the infection depends, first of all, on the correctness of taking the material, and secondly, on compliance with the temperature regime of storage and transportation of samples. The sample received by the laboratory is registered, goes through all the stages of PCR, undergoes electrophoretic detection with the subsequent issuance of the final result.

Thus, the high sensitivity and specificity of the PCR method makes it possible to reliably detect single pathogens in biological material in a short period of time, which makes it possible to make an accurate diagnosis, prescribe adequate treatment, and develop preventive measures.

THEM. Donnik, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, N.A. Pelevin, junior researcher, O.G. Bodrova, junior researcher,
State Scientific Institution Ural State Veterinary Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Every year, thanks to scientific progress, new, modern methods and diagnostics of animal diseases appear. Now, in almost any veterinary clinic, PCR diagnosis of infections any pets. The clinic "Paws-scratches" has a special laboratory where you can carry out various kinds of tests.

Thanks to these innovative developments, we can correctly diagnose any infectious diseases in pets in a timely manner. This is especially important for serious diseases that need to be detected in the early stages and which cannot always be determined by other clinical tests or ultrasound. Ppolymerase chain reaction(PCR) is an indispensable diagnostic method for important veterinary research, and is used in parallel with bacteriological and immunochemical methods.

At the clinic "Paws-scratches" there is a special laboratory for PCR diagnostics animal infections. We provide services in the Leningrad region and St. Petersburg. A distinctive feature of our services is sampling at your home and a free courier service.

PCR diagnostics of infections is the most accurate, modern, fastest way of research in veterinary virology and microbiology, which allows not only to identify diseases, but also to determine the RNA, DNA of the virus and antibodies to it.

Advantages of PCR diagnostics:

The ability to detect infection in cases where it is impossible to determine by other methods

The speed of research, which is explained by the fact that it does not take a long time to grow and determine pathogens

The process is fully automated and standardized, which eliminates even the slightest errors, unlike manual research.

The result of the research is ready within 12 hours

Diagnostics - universal, as it helps to identify pathogens in various fluids and biological tissues

Great value PCR diagnostics of animals has in the early stages of diseases such as brucellosis, chlamydia, leukemia, leptospirosis, listeriosis and many others. The use of this method made it possible to develop unique programs for the successful recovery of most infectious and viral diseases in domestic animals.

Use this unique diagnostic method if you want your pet to be healthy and delight you for many years! PCR diagnosis of infections is often the only chance to save a life! For any questions you may have, the specialists of the Lapki-Scratchy clinic will answer you in detail online or by phone. Contact us, we will always come to the aid of your pets!

Feline Infectious Peritonitis- a systemic viral disease (Coronavirus), which affects many tissues of the body. Two forms of the disease have been identified: wet and dry. In the wet form, inflammatory fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity. In the dry form, the virus attacks various organs such as the kidneys and spleen. There is no cure for this disease and the outcome is almost always fatal. FIP is most commonly diagnosed in kittens and adult cats under 3 years of age. Cats in catteries or multi-pet households are at the highest risk of developing the disease.

Additional Information
FIP is a systemic viral disease characterized by a latent onset, recurrent uncontrolled fever, pyogranulomatous reaction, accumulation of exudate in body cavities, and high mortality.

Pathophysiology
The FPV virus replicates locally in the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract or oropharynx. Viral bodies begin to be produced, and the virus is absorbed by macrophages. The virus is transported by macrophages/monocytes throughout the body, localizing in the walls of various veins and perivascular space. Local perivascular replication of the virus and the subsequent pyogranulomatous reaction from the tissues forms a characteristic picture of the lesion in FIP.

Affected systems

Multisystemic - pyogranulomatous or granulomatous lesions occur in the omentum, on the serous membranes of abdominal organs such as the liver, kidneys, intestines, in the abdominal lymph nodes, and in the submucosal layer of the intestine.
Respiratory - lesions on the surface of the lungs, pleural effusion with a wet form of IPC.
Nervous - vascular lesions appear throughout the CNS, especially on the membranes
Ophthalmic - damage can be manifested by uveitis and choreoretinitis.

genetic predisposition
No.

Prevalence
The prevalence of antibodies against feline coronavirus (FPK virus, FCoV, FCoV) is high in most populations, especially where many cats are kept together. The incidence of clinical disease is low in most populations, especially in cats that are kept alone. Due to the difficulty in diagnosis, control and prevention, an outbreak of FPV in cat hotels can be catastrophic.

signs infectious, viral peritonitis of cats (IPK, FIP, FIP)

Domestic cats and exotic cats are susceptible to FPV infection.

Breed predisposition
Some families or strains of cats show a greater predisposition to develop the clinical form of the disease after FPV infection. Among exotic cats, cheetahs are particularly prone to developing fatal FIP.

Average age and range
A high prevalence of FIP occurs in kittens at 3 months of age. up to 3 years. The prevalence decreases after the cat reaches 3 years of age.

Sexual predisposition
Not

Anamnesis
General comments
A wide range of features may appear depending on the virulence and pathogenicity of the virus strain involved, the effectiveness of the host's immune system, and the systems affected. There are two classic forms of the disease, wet, with effusion of exudates in the body cavity and dry, which affects various organs.
Anamnesis

There is a hidden beginning
Gradual emaciation loss of appetite
stunting
Gradual increase in the volume of the abdomen, development of dropsy, ascites, pot-bellied appearance of the animal
Persistent fever without response to antibiotics

Physical examination results

depression, short stature
Poor general condition - weight loss and poor coat condition
Abdominal and pleural effusions
Palpation may reveal abdominal masses (granulomas or pyogranulomas) on the omentum, on the surface of internal organs, especially the kidneys, and on the intestinal walls. Mesenteric lymph nodes may be enlarged.
Eyes: , discoloration of the iris, irregular pupil shape.
Neurological signs may include various options.

The reasons
FPV is caused by one of two types of feline coronavirus. Most infections, perhaps 85%, are caused by type 1 virus (FCoV-1), the rest by type 2 (FCoV-2). It is very important to distinguish between the two biotypes of the virus, the less virulent and avirulent enteric virus species (feline enteric coronavirus or feline enteric virus) and the virulent species that cause FIPV. In fact, PVVV and FIPV can become both type 1 and type 2. In each type there is a virulence spectrum of avirulent viruses that cause asymptomatic infections and fatal FIPV infection.

Risk factors

Entry of an FCoV antibody-positive cat into a population of FCoV antibody-negative cats (unprotected by anti-FPV antibodies)
Cats kept in groups

FIP diagnostics

The wet form of FIPS can be easily identified clinically, while the dry form is difficult to accurately diagnose. There is no single laboratory test for the diagnosis of FIPS because the disease varies from case to case.

Differential Diagnosis

Fever of unknown origin. This diagnosis can be made when all other possible causes of hyperthermia have been rejected.
Heart disease causing pleural effusion. This effusion will have a low relative density and cell number compared to the high density and high cell count of a FIPS effusion.
Lymphoma lesions, especially of the kidneys, may be similar to FIP on palpation. Tumors of the CNS may show signs similar to those seen in FIP. Most cats with a positive test for FIPK antigen. In cats with a negative test result, biopsies of the lesions (if possible) should be subjected to histopathological or immunochemical analysis for FIPK antigen.
Respiratory diseases caused by feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus, chlamydia, or various bacteria.
Pansteatitis (yellow fat disease). Pain on palpation of the abdomen, and a diet of only fish.
Panleukopenia causing enteritis. The white blood cell count should be low.
Diagnosis
This disease is suspected in the absence of a fever response to antibiotics, the presence of exudates in the chest and peritoneal cavities without obvious infectious agents, hyperglobulinemia, and increased protein content in the effusion when wet.
Heart failure, lymphosarcoma and rupture of lymphatic ducts, etc. diseases with signs of chest and abdominal effusion should be carefully monitored and monitored, as should feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline panleukopenia.
For various reasons, virus isolation is not practical.
Serological procedures: Some diagnostic laboratories are unable to test for FIPS due to the difficulty of interpreting the results. A FIPK positive immunofluorescence assay (ELISA) only indicates that the animal has been exposed to the virus, not confirming the presence of the virus. However, there is some evidence that many serologically positive cats cleared the coronavirus, possibly in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. Positive tests using ELISA or ELISA do not give a guaranteed diagnosis of FIP.
A positive ELISA test result for FIP (titer 1:50 to 1:6000), together with clinical signs of FIP, indicates the correct manifestation of FIP. Although uncommon, some cats showing signs of FIPS are serologically negative.

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is preferred by many diagnostic laboratories overELISA.

Diagnostic kits for ELISA and ELISA diagnostics are available for use in feline coronavirus, but results must be interpreted with caution.
The total protein, determined by electrophoresis, is markedly increased.
A positive staining of specimens (from lungs, liver, kidneys, mesenteric and pleural lymph nodes) with specific fluorescent antibodies for FIP is considered a definitive diagnosis. The enteric coronavirus cross-reacts to the FIPS test.
During life, animals in the blood can detect severe anemia, neutrophilia and leukopenia.
A PCR assay is also commercially available to assist in the identification of the virus in various tissues.

Blood and urine tests

Cats with FIP tend to develop leukopenia early in the course of infection, but later develop leukocytosis with neutrophilia and lymphopenia.
Anemia of varying severity can be detected - from moderate to severe.
An increase in the level of total plasma globulin is usually noticeable.
Hyperbilirubiuria is often present.

Laboratory tests

The serum antibody test detects antibodies against feline coronaviruses. A positive result is non-diagnostic, and preferably indicates a previous FPV infection. The correlation between upper titer value and potential confirmation of FIPS is not strong.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) allows you to determine the viral antigen. The accuracy of a positive test correlates with the clinical manifestation of the disease.
Immunohistochemistry (immunoperoxidase) is available to determine the FIPK antigen in certain cells in histopathological specimens from cats in post-mortem examination with fatal disease and biopsy specimens. This test is excellent for confirming FIP.

Visual diagnostic methods usually not required, but may help detect abdominal and pleural effusions and pyogranulomatous lesions.
Fluid in the wet form of FIP may also be found in the abdominal cavity (ascites).
Ultrasound provides additional information that cannot be obtained with x-rays. In this case, enlarged lymph nodes in the center of the bowel.

X-ray: 1 . Diffuse opacification in the lower part of the chest due to pleural effusion, due to which the borders of the heart 2 not visible, but light 4 shifted to the spine and little ventilated, 3 - trachea, 5 - liver, 6 - stomach, 7 - intestines

Other diagnostic procedures

The fluid obtained from the chest and abdominal cavities is pale or straw-colored, viscous, often interspersed with fibrin, and after settling, clots settle in it. The specific density of such a liquid is usually high (1.030-1.040).
Laparoscopy may be useful in detecting specific lesions in the abdominal cavity and obtaining tissue samples for histopathological and immunochemical confirmation.
An exploratory laparotomy may reveal the truth if there is difficulty in making a diagnosis and if laparoscopy is not available.

External and histopathological changes

Patient Monitoring
In a cat with FIP, it is necessary to control the accumulation of exudate in the pleural cavity.

Prevention

A commercially available MLV intranasal FIPV vaccine is available. However, the efficacy of this vaccine is low and therefore cannot be fully relied upon to control FPV.
The main mode of transmission of FPV is from asymptomatic cats to kittens at 5-7 weeks of age, when colostral immunity begins to wane. Therefore, early weaning of kittens at 4-5 weeks of age and rearing kittens isolated from direct contact with other cats, including mothers, will interrupt the cycle of transmission of the virus from mother to offspring.
Routine disinfection of the cat's habitat and care and feeding products will rapidly inactivate the virus and reduce the risk of cat-to-cat transmission.
Only FCoV antibody-negative cats should be introduced into a cattery or colony to ensure that the body is free from the virus. Vaccination can make cats antibody-positive and can make it difficult to control the virus in the population.

Possible Complications
Pleural effusion requires thoracocentesis as a treatment.

Expected course and forecast
FIP may start showing clinical signs within a few days or a few months. The prognosis is fatal after the manifestation of typical signs of FPV infection, reaching 100% mortality.

Clinical features typically associated with this disease.

Decreased voltage on the ECG, attenuation of complexes and low amplitude.
Muffled heart sounds
Tachycardia, increased heart rate
Abdominal stretch
Anorexia, reduction or loss of appetite
Ascites
Decreased fecal volume, constipation, no feces
Diarrhea
Dysphagia
Hepatosplenomegaly, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly
Polyphagia, excessive appetite
Abnormal proprioceptive positioning
Ataxia, discoordination, falling
Cyanosis
Dehydration
Dysmetria, hypermetria, hypometria
exercise intolerance
Fever
Lameness of the forelimbs
Generalized Diagnosis
Generalized weakness
Weakness in the head, neck, paresis, paralysis
Hemiparesis
Lameness of the hind limbs
Masses in the abdomen
lack of growth
Lymphadenopathy
Opisthotonus
Pale skin and mucous membranes
Polydipsia
Swelling in the prepuce, testicles, penis, scrotum
Tetraparesis, weakness, paralysis of 4 limbs
Trembling, tremor, fasciculation
Weight loss
Abnormal behavior, aggression, change in habits
Abnormal forelimb reflexes, increased or decreased
Abnormal hind limb reflexes, increased or decreased
circling
Disorientation, memory loss
Stupidity, depression, lethargy
Delirium, delirium, mania, agitation
Hypoesthesia of the forelimbs, anesthesia
head tilt

hyperesthesia, hyperactivity
Muscle hypertension, myotonia
Muscle hypotension
Propulsion, aimless fermentation
Convulsions or fainting, convulsions, collapse
Tremor
Abnormal pupillary reflex to light
Abnormal retinal reflectivity
Abnormal size of retinal vessels
Anisocoria
Blepharospasm
Blindness
Chemosis, edema of the conjunctiva, cornea
Abnormal vascularization of the conjunctiva and cornea
Redness of the conjunctiva, cornea
Corneal edema
Pannus
Hyphema, "black eye"
Hypopion
lacrimation
Miosis, pupil contraction
Mydriasis, pupil dilation
nystagmus
Opacification of the vitreous body
Optic nerve atrophy, reduction in the size of the optic nerve
Purulent discharge from the eyes
Detachment of fiber
Folds and bumps on the retina
Retinal hemorrhages
Synechia
back pain
neck pain
Pain from external pressure on the abdomen
Abnormal testis size
Cough
Attenuation of lung sounds
Dyspnea
Tachypnea
Mucous nasal discharge, serous, watery
Purulent nasal discharge
Roughness and untidiness of wool
Glucosuria
Ketonuria
Polyuria

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the course of the disease, the animal should be treated either inpatient or outpatient, the desire and ability of the owners to provide good supportive care.

Activity
The activity of the animal must be reduced to reduce the spread of the virus to other cats.

Diet
Anorexia and weight loss are the main problems in FIP. Any diet that encourages the animal to eat is welcome.

Owner training
Discuss various aspects of the WIPC. Including a fatal prognosis at the final diagnosis.

Surgical aspects
Not

Medications

There are no drugs for effective treatment of FIPV. Cats with generalized FPV infection almost always die.
Immunosuppressive drugs such as prednisolone and cyclophosphamide have been used with limited success. Corticosteroids as subconjunctival injections are effective only in the ophthalmic manifestation of the disease.
Interferons, although effective in vitro, have had limited success in the treatment of FILI. Recombinant interferon has been estimated to have had some success in the treatment of FILI in Japan.
Antibiotics are not effective because secondary bacterial infections are not part of the clinical manifestation of the disease.

Contraindications
Not

Cautions
Not

Possible interactions
Not

Alternative drugs
There are no effective antiviral drugs for FIPV.

Forecast
FIPS resolves clinically within a few days to several months. The prognosis is fatal with the manifestation of characteristic clinical signs, mortality is 100%.

PCR is a polymerase chain reaction based on the principle of copying a specific section of a DNA strand. Due to the repeated increase in the volume of the DNA material, it becomes possible to detect the desired bacteria in the microscope. The advantage of PCR is:

high sensitivity;
high specificity;
detection of acute and latent infections;
the ability to identify any of the currently known pathogens.

PCR in veterinary medicine

Currently, the PCR diagnostic method has found wide application in veterinary medicine. This research method allows you to get a reliable answer in a short time. In addition, it requires a very small amount of biological material, unlike, for example, a general blood test, which greatly simplifies the work of veterinarians. Both in humans and in animals, the material for PCR can be:

blood and its components;
urine;
stomach biopsy;
saliva;
scrapings of epithelial cells.

PCR diagnostics for cats

During the examination of a cat by a veterinarian, in order to confirm or refute the alleged diagnosis, it may be necessary to do a PCR test on the cat. The reason for the appointment of such a study may be the most common and at the same time difficult to diagnose diseases, such as peritonitis, rhinotracheitis, coronavirus, toxoplasmosis, etc.

A particularly serious disease in which the PCR method is required is viral immunodeficiency in cats. This virus affects not only the immune system, but also the nervous system of the animal. The cat's body becomes weakened and defenseless against bacteria and viruses, as a result of which the animal dies from secondary infections. And in order to exclude the presence of this virus, the veterinarian recommends conducting a polymerase chain reaction to the cat.

This method, in addition to the variety of advantages, has a number of disadvantages. All devices for PCR diagnostics are very sensitive, and therefore the slightest contamination can give a false positive answer. The high cost of equipment and reagents is also considered not unimportant, so not every veterinary clinic in Moscow can purchase it. However, the diagnosis of diseases without this method is becoming more and more difficult, therefore, PCR analysis in cats in Moscow can be done in our clinic by contacting the contact numbers, or by leaving a request on the website.