FIV PCR test
dog and cat assay data sheet
Feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
Test codes:
S0106
- Ultrasensitive qualitative
detection of feline immunodeficiency virus by real time polymerase
chain reaction. This assay detects proviral DNA of feline
immunodeficiency virus in sample types containing cellular material.
S0106 is included on P0021 -
feline bloodborne panel, on P0037 - feline
neurological panel
and on P0040 - feline anemia panel
S0117
- Quantitative detection of feline immunodeficiency virus
by 1-step reverse transcription coupled real time PCR. Assay detects
and quantitates copies per ml of FIV RNA present in plasma from EDTA
whole blood.
Feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is an RNA lentivirus that can weaken the
immune response of cats, similar to what human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) does to humans. The virus can infect both domestic cats and wild
cats such as cheetahs. It attacks and weakens the body’s immune
system, making the animal susceptible to infections and diseases that
usually do not affect healthy cats. There is no cure for FIV. Though
eventually fatal, an FIV-positive cat can live and infect other cats
for many years without any sign of illness.
FIV occurs
worldwide, but its prevalence varies geographically. About 1.5% to 3%
of cats in the United States are infected with FIV. About 5% of
FIV-positive cats also have feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
There are a number
of risk factors for FIV infection. Older cats are more likely to be
infected -- the average age of cats with FIV is 5 years at the time of
diagnosis. Free-roaming cats are more likely to be infected than
indoor cats. Aggressive male cats that roam and fight with other cats
are more likely to be infected than females and nonaggressive males
because FIV is a bloodborne pathogen. Sick cats are much more likely
to have FIV -- in the United States about 15% of cats that show
clinical signs of another disease are also infected with FIV.
Serology has been
used to diagnose FIV-infected cats. However, cats with weakened immune
response will not be reliably detected by serology, as that method
depends on the cat’s production of antibodies. Molecular detection by
PCR overcomes this immune response problem, as it directly detects the
pathogen itself rather than the cat’s immune response. PCR is also
rapid, highly sensitive and specific.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus infection
-
Help ensure that cat groups are free of FIV
-
Early prevention of spread of FIV between cats by
identifying latent carriers
-
Minimize human exposure to FIV
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from susceptible animals
Specimen
requirement:
S0106
- 0.2 ml
whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube.
S0117
- 0.2 ml
whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml
plasma.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all specimen
types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm
weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack
unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen
specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See
shipping instructions for more
information.
Turnaround
time:
2 business days
Methodologies:
S0106
- Qualitative real time PCR targeting FIV cellular proviral DNA
S0117
- Quantitative 1-step
reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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