Veterinary Diagnostic Services

FIP Research Samples needed now!

Please help us with our research!

Background

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is an immune-mediated fatal disease of cats caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV) and is the most common infectious cause of death in young cats. Currently, it is only possible to define the likelihood of a live cat having FIP using clinical signs, clinical history and routine laboratory work; there is no definitive diagnostic test available. The diagnosis can be confirmed by histopathology, but the invasive procedures required to obtain the necessary tissue samples are unsuitable in cats suspected to have FIP. As a result, the diagnosis of FIP is more commonly confirmed post mortem than ante mortem. We are undertaking 2 separate studies this summer to investigate new techniques that may be applied ante mortem to confirm a diagnosis of FIP, and need your help in obtaining appropriate samples.

  1. FNA MLN STUDY (DRY FIP) This study aims to investigate the use of a real-time FCoV RT-PCR assay on RNA extracted from fine needle aspirates (FNA) of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) as a method of diagnosing FIP. The MLN are usually easily palpable in cats with FIP due to enlargement resulting from pyogranulomatous inflammation. Additionally, the FNA procedure is minimally invasive. All these factors make this potential method of diagnosis theoretically feasible and worthy of investigation.
  1. CoV ICC & FCoV RT-PCR studies (Wet FIP) These studies aim to investigate the use of immunocytochemistry and a real-time RT-PCR assay on body cavity effusions from cats in order to identify cells infected with FCoV. It has been shown that FCoV-infected cells are present in body effusions in cats with the wet form of FIP. We hope to develop a diagnostic method for FCoV on effusion samples which might help to improve and accelerate the process of confirming or ruling out FIP in live cats with body cavity effusions.

Samples Required

We require post mortem samples from both FIP and non-FIP cases. The tests performed on these samples as part of the studies will be free of charge. If relevant for establishing a diagnosis (i.e. histopathology) the results will be reported to the submitting vets. If you are submitting samples for these studies only, please use the appropriate consent form (link).Please send:

  • MESENTERIC LYMPH NODES in saline (if time allows, we can send you a special transport medium to ensure tissues arrive in the best condition)
  • EFFUSION samples in EDTA tubes (6 ml if possible, more fluid is welcome) in cases of suspected wet FIP
  • BLOOD sample in heparin or serum tube in order to measure FCoV antibody titre - only if this has not already been done as part of the diagnostic work-up If you are submitting MLN and/or effusion samples, we can also offer histopathology free of charge if FIP is strongly suspected (based on Glasgow’s FIP profile results)

Please submit the following tissue samples for FREE histopathology in formalin pots:

  • kidney
  • liver
  • spleen
  • mesenteric lymph node
  • omentum
  • lung (only if the thoracic cavity is affected)
  • any other abnormal tissues

For more information please do hot hesitate to call us on 0141 330 5777 or email Libby.Graham@glasgow.ac.uk.

Thank you very much for your help!