Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) induces a disease similar to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in cats, yet in contrast to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), CD4 is not the viral receptor. We identified a primary receptor for FIV as CD134 (OX40), a T cell activation antigen and costimulatory molecule. CD134 expression promotes viral binding and renders cells permissive for viral en...

Ophthalmic manifestations of FeLV or FIV infection can occur in all ocular tissues and may be manifestations of direct viral effects or secondary to viral-related malignant transformation. Additionally, the manifestations of common feline ophthalmic pathogens may be more severe and poorly responsive to therapy because of the immunosuppressive effects of FeLV or FIV infection. Prompt diagnosis o...

RISK OF INFECTION/EXPOSURE The risk of infection is higher in younger animals and cats that are in contact with multiple cats (strays). Generally, Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is spread by casual contact between cats although as they age, resistance to infection develops. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is spread more commonly through bite wounds or through sexual behaviour. Exposure occurs...

Abbreviations: CCR: Chemokine Co-receptor; CMV: Cytomegalovirus; CTL: Cytotoxic Lymphocytes; FIPV: Feline Infectious Peritonitis virus; HBV/HCV: Hepatitis B/C Virus; HIV/ AIDS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; HSV: Herpes Simplex Virus; JEV: Japanese Encephalitis Virus; MS: Mass Spectrometry; NK: Natural Killer Cells; NMR: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; NRTI: Nucle...

We describe the identification, experimental transmission, and pathogenesis of a naturally occurring powerfully immunosuppressive isolate of feline leukemia virus (designated here as FeLV-FAIDS) which induces fatal acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 100% (25 of 25) of persistently viremic experimentally infected specific pathogen-free (SPF) cats after predictable survival periods rang...

The gag and env genes of the feline immunodeficiency virus strain UT113 were cloned into a baculovirus transfer vector. The recombinant plasmids were used to create recombinant baculoviruses that expressed either the gag or the env precursor protein in insect cells (Sf9 cells). Leader sequence cleavage occurred in Sf9 cells expressing the envelope precursor, but further processing was not obser...

Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast-like organism associated with pulmonary, meningoencephalitic, or systemic disease. This case report documents 2 cases of cryptococcosis with central nervous system involvement in captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). In both cases the predominant post mortal lesions were pulmonary cryptococcomas and extensive meningoencephalomyelitis. Both cheetahs tested negati...