A review of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection

Abstract

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an infectious disease characterized by non-specific laboratory changes and clinical signs. Clinical symptoms include anorexia, jaundice, fever, and weight loss. Moreover, some lesions are found in the digestive and respiratory systems. FIP, whose virulence varies, cannot be distinguished using several diagnostic methods. Moreover, feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) can be classified into two serotypes based on differences in their amino acid sequences, spike (S) protein sequences, and antibody (Ab) neutralization. There are two pathotypes, namely those caused by FCoV, which are often referred to as feline enteric coronavirus and FIP virus (FIPV). Furthermore, FIPV infection can be caused by sub-neutralizing levels of anti-FIPV S Abs. Therefore, a supporting diagnosis is needed to confirm FIP because there are no specific symptoms.