QUESTIONS

1. When a cat first gets infected with the FIV virus, what signs are they likely to show?
    
2. What cells are attacked by FIV to cause immunodeficiency syndrome?
    
3. Hypergammaglobulinemia seems to be associated with FIV infection.  Why is this?
   
   
   
   
    

ANSWERS

1. In experimental studies, acute infection is characterized by transient neutropenia, fever & generalized lymphadenopathy.  WBC counts drop at 6-8 weeks post-inoculation (during peak viremia) & return to normal in 2-4 weeks.  After this, the cat goes into a latent phase & lab values other than FIV test go back to normal.  (Though a recurrent neutropenia &/or lymphopenia has been noted but this is independent of clinical status ie whether or not the cat is sick.)
   
   
   
   
    
2. CD4 (T helper cells) decrease  and the CD4 cells that are still around have impaired mitogen responses.  Sick FIV cats also often have a neutropenia which doesn't help.
   
   
   
   
    
3. We think it is from polyclonal activation of B cells but we don't think it's from any of the concurrent infections.  We think FIV is doing it itself.