Feline immunodeficiency virus: A brief review

Abstract

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), previously known as feline T-lymphotropic lentivirus (FTLV), was first described by Pedersen et al. (1987) who isolated the virus from cats with a variety of clinical signs suggestive of immunodeficiency. Since then FIV has become one of the most studied feline viruses, not least because of its similarity to human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) which cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in man.

Pleural malignant mesothelioma in a captive clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa)

“…Therefore, future examinations using degenerate primers may be worthwhile. Feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus have been associated with neoplastic disease in cats (Bennett and Smyth 1992, Athas and others 1995). When the leopard arrived at London Zoo it was seronegative for each of these viruses and while in London it came into contact only with animals which were also seronegative for these viruses.…”