Discrepancies between feline coronavirus antibody and nucleic acid detection in effusions of cats with suspected feline infectious peritonitis. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lorusso, Eleonora; Mari, Viviana; Losurdo, Michele; Lanave, Gianvito; Trotta, Adriana; Dowgier, Giulia; Colaianni, Maria Loredana; Zatelli, Andrea; Elia, Gabriella; Buonavoglia, Domenico; Decaro, Nicola
• Is Part Of: Research in veterinary science. Volume 125(2019)
• Page Start: 421
• Page End: 424
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Feline infectious peritonitis -- Diagnosis -- Effusions -- Antibodies -- Viral RNA; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Médecine vétérinaire -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Diergeneeskunde; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-5288

Abstract

Abstract: Intra-vitam diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a challenge for veterinary diagnosticians, since there are no highly specific and sensitive assays currently available. With the aim to contribute to fill this diagnostic gap, a total of 61 effusions from cats with suspected effusive FIP were collected intra-vitam for detection of feline coronavirus (FCoV) antibodies and RNA by means of indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay and real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. In 5 effusions there was no evidence for either FCoV RNA or antibodies, 51 and 52 specimens tested positive by IIF and qRT-PCR, respectively, although antibody titres ≥ 1:1600, which are considered highly suggestive of FIP, were detected only in 37 effusions. Three samples with high antibody levels tested negative by qRT-PCR, whereas 18 qRT-PCR positive effusions contained no or low-titre antibodies. qRT-PCR positive samples with low antibody titres mostly contained low FCoV RNA loads, although the highest antibody titres were detected in effusions with C T values > 30. In conclusion, combining the two methods, i.e., antibody and RNA detection would help improving the intra-vitam diagnosis of effusive FIP. Highlights: Effusions from cats with suspected FIP were analysed for detection of feline coronavirus (FCoV) antibodies and RNA. Using a cut-off of 1:1600 for FCoV antibodies, only 40/61 samples were in agreement between the two tests. Most effusions with low FCoV loads were found to contain low specific antibody titres. Combining serological and molecular methods results in an increase of the diagnostic efficiency.