Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIDS) in Cats

Feline immunodeficiency syndrome, an important viral infection of felines caused by Lentivirus is characterised by slow onset and long incubation period lasting several years. The disease has a close resembelance with Human Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HAIDS) in its manifestation and pathogenesis.

Incidence

Though the virus has been discoverd as late as 1987, the disease is known by now to occur through out the world as evidence by serological surveys. Serosurveillance indicated the presence of antibodies in bob cat, puma, tiger, jagaur, and African lion.

Etiology

Lentivirus Belonging to RNA group resembling Retovirus but the nucleocapsid of the virion is cylindrical and the genome is larger than other Retro viruses.

Transmission

Biting wounds- as saliva is highly infective
Concommitant infection with feline panleukaemia virus

Clinical Signs of FIDS
FIDS is disease of slow onset and long duration. There are evidences that the incubation period lasts for several years. The common signs are-

Leucopenia
Wasting
Anemia
Lymphadenopathy
Recurrent fever

Pathology
T-helper cell population get very much depleted resulting in marked immunodeficiency. The lesions noticed inother organs are ascribed to secondary complications.

Diagnosis

ELISA test to detect antibodies
Virus isolation
Viral genome can be detected in leucocytes of peripheral blood by PCR
Immunochromatographic screening test to detect FIDS virus

Specimens to be sent to Lab

Lymphnodes
Blood serum
Peripheral Leucocytes

Prevention and Control

In order to contain the disease among your cats, serosurveillance accompanied by seggregation found to be useful to some extent. There is no vaccine for control FIDS.

Treatment

The vet will give symptomatic non-specific treatment to minimise the clinical signs of Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome. The affected cats may be treated with specific drugs such as Azidothymidine directed against transcriptase.

A recent research on Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome in cats confirms that Low-dose interferon-alpha treatment prolongs the life of FIDS infected cats.

For Further readings:-

Help prevent the spread of FIDS ~ please neuter your cat