Samples needed for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) | Dr. Justine Lee
Do you have a cat that is suspected of having FIP?
The research lab of Dr. Gary Whittaker in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is soliciting samples for their clinical trial and diagnostic test validation for feline infectious peritonitis, a devastating and highly lethal systemic infection of cats caused by a feline coronavirus (FCoV). FIP is commonly considered to be the most significant infectious disease in feline medicine, and is currently without useful molecular diagnostic tests, effective therapeutics or vaccines.
Under normal circumstances, the FCoV virus known as feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) causes only mild and often inapparent enteritis. It is hypothesized that a process of mutation within an individual cat confers the ability of a FECV to infect monocytes and macrophages, allowing systemic spread and the selection of a virus that causes FIP.
Despite extensive study, the genomic differences that determine whether an FCoV will behave as an FECV or an FIPV have remained largely unknown. The Whittaker lab has recently determined that a subset of mutations at two specific positions in the viral genome appear to be correlated to FIP in cats. In order to quantify the likelihood that a given genomic mutation can predict or indicate FIP in cats, the Whittaker lab has developed a diagnostic scoring system that returns the test results for FIPV in cats, compared to FECV, which will comprise the basis of a novel diagnostic test for FIP.
The Whittaker lab is currently in need of samples from both healthy and/or FIP cats. Samples from healthy cats should include feces paired with blood, while samples from FIP cats can include feces paired with blood, fluid or tissue.
The Whittaker lab will provide shipping costs to interested participants. Please contact Wendy Wingate (fcovstudy@cornell.edu) for more information.
Hi,
I have two cats they were tested, they do not carry Coronavirus. There is a stray cat I want adopt, vet tested her found out that she has Coronavirus. We really want her on tbe other hand do not want to
risk our cats. Is there a way to adopt her? Is it really a risk to bring her home?
The test for coronavirus doesn’t mean your cat has FIP. The test isn’t very accurate (only if it is negative), so it doesn’t exclude adopting a cat!
hi our bengal polar has just been diagonosed with fip and has some simptoms currently of wet fip can you advice of any trials that could offer anything other than palliative care
Polar is around 3 years old hes on a raw diet, he is very strong, stuborn and a fighter he just needs a little help to beat this.
we have the all the blood test results and the test results that indicate fip wet form coronvirus
any help/advice will be greatly appriciated
If he was diagnosed with FIP, I would be even more concerned about feeding him raw, due to immunosuppression. Unfortunately, this is more common in purebred cats, and I wish I had better news. I know Kansas State University is working on some new updates and research and recommend investigating that.
I have a Ragdoll 5 years old diagnosed with Dry FIP still maintaining weight no neurological signs have bloods and biopsy test results
Are you still looking for samples? Aty Puentes DVM
I am not directly but would contact the school directly if interested. Best, Dr. Justine Lee