Interferon-gamma in the serum and effusions of cats with feline coronavirus infection.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantify and compare interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) concentrations in the serum of clinically normal cats infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV) with its concentration in the sera and effusions of cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease associated with infection with a mutated form of FCoV. Clinically normal FCoV-infected cats living in catteries with a high prevalence of FIP had the highest serum IFN-gamma concentrations. The serum concentration of IFN-gamma was not significantly different in cats with FIP compared with clinically normal FCoV-infected animals living in catteries with a low prevalence of the disease. Moreover, the concentration of IFN-gamma was significantly higher in the effusions than in the serum of cats with FIP, probably due to IFN-gamma production within lesions. These findings support the hypothesis that there is a strong, 'systemic' cell mediated immune response in clinically normal, FCoV-infected cats and that a similar process, albeit at a tissue level, is involved in the pathogenesis of FIP.

• Authors: Alessia Giordano, Saverio Paltrinieri
• Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997) (Vet J) Vol. 180 Issue 3 Pg. 396-8 (Jun 2009) ISSN: 1090-0233 [Print] England
• PMID: 18406642 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Animals
• Cats
• Coronavirus, Feline
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (blood, immunology)
• Immunity, Cellular
• Interferon-gamma (blood)
• Retrospective Studies