Humoral immunity in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus or leukaemia virus

Authors: Harding DRK, Nulsen MF, Jones BR, Cull RM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 42, Issue 4, pp 148-150, Aug 1994
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Circulatory system/haematology, Viral, Immune system/immunology, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Genetics, Inherited disease/conditions, Neoplasia, Oncology, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Respiratory system
Article class: Short Communication

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Abstract: The humoral antibody responses of 82 domestic cats to the common commensal bacteria Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus aureus were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence assay to give a subjective quantification of specific IgG in serum. There was no significant difference in specific serum IgG levels between sick cats which tested antibody-positive to feline immunodeficiency virus or antigen-positive to feline leukaemia virus and sick, virus-negative cats. This finding suggested that there was no change in immune status, as measured by this method, in both feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus infections, although, based on clinical signs shown by the virus-positive cats, overall immunosuppression was indicated. Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus infection may have an effect on cellular immunity, as is the case with human immunodeficiency virus.

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