Feline infectious peritonitis

ABSTRACT

The authors summarize the current knowledge about FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) using the latest scientific literature and their own experiences. The feline coronaviruses, both the feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) and the FIP virus (FIPV) belong to the same Alphacoronovirus 1 species, in the Alphocoronovirus genus within the Coronoviridoe family, and infect wild and domestic felids. FIPV is the mutated form of the ubiquitous and contagious feline enteric coronavirus. which, in contrast, causes a fatal and non -infectious illness. The letha, disease cevelops in only a subset of infected cats as a result of complex immunopatho-logical processes. The clinical manifestation of the disease is very diverse, the effusive form ("wet form") has a more rapid course than the non-effusive form ("dry form"). However, these two main manifestations are rather the endpoints of a continuum of diseases. Macroscopically the wet form is characterized by effusions in the serosal cavities, and the dry form by perivascular (pyo)granulomas in the organs. The most characteristic histological lesions are granulo-matous to necrotizing vasculitis in the wet form, and vas-acentric pyogranulomatous inflammation in the dry form. Ante-mortem diagnosis of the disease is challenging yet extremely important, partially because of recent successes in therapy. The most reliable diagnosis is likely to be made only post-mortem, but a properly constructed diagnostic workflow can be similarly effective. Although the active substances of previous successful therapies are relatively easily available, they are not approved for veterinary use. In the absence of an effective vaccine, prevention is based mainly on epidemiological considerations and the reduction of stressors that unnecessarily affect the cats. Presenting the example of FIP and COVID-19, it is perfectly understandable why the experience of different drugs in the treatment of animal curonaviral infections can be of tremendous value in preparing their use in human experiments.