Viruses (Aug 2023)

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases Guidelines

  • Séverine Tasker,
  • Diane D. Addie,
  • Herman Egberink,
  • Regina Hofmann-Lehmann,
  • Margaret J. Hosie,
  • Uwe Truyen,
  • Sándor Belák,
  • Corine Boucraut-Baralon,
  • Tadeusz Frymus,
  • Albert Lloret,
  • Fulvio Marsilio,
  • Maria Grazia Pennisi,
  • Etienne Thiry,
  • Karin Möstl,
  • Katrin Hartmann

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15091847
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 9
p. 1847

Abstract

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Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a ubiquitous RNA virus of cats, which is transmitted faeco-orally. In these guidelines, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) presents a comprehensive review of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FCoV is primarily an enteric virus and most infections do not cause clinical signs, or result in only enteritis, but a small proportion of FCoV-infected cats develop FIP. The pathology in FIP comprises a perivascular phlebitis that can affect any organ. Cats under two years old are most frequently affected by FIP. Most cats present with fever, anorexia, and weight loss; many have effusions, and some have ocular and/or neurological signs. Making a diagnosis is complex and ABCD FIP Diagnostic Approach Tools are available to aid veterinarians. Sampling an effusion, when present, for cytology, biochemistry, and FCoV RNA or FCoV antigen detection is very useful diagnostically. In the absence of an effusion, fine-needle aspirates from affected organs for cytology and FCoV RNA or FCoV antigen detection are helpful. Definitive diagnosis usually requires histopathology with FCoV antigen detection. Antiviral treatments now enable recovery in many cases from this previously fatal disease; nucleoside analogues (e.g., oral GS-441524) are very effective, although they are not available in all countries.

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