Immunologic abnormalities in pathogen-free cats experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus. |
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Authors: | C D Ackley J K Yamamoto N Levy N C Pedersen and M D Cooper |
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Institution: | Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294. |
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Abstract: | Blood mononuclear cells from 47 cats experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were examined by using monoclonal antibodies directed against feline CD4 and CD8 homologs, a pan-T-cell antigen, and cell surface immunoglobulin. Significant inversion of the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio was observed only in cats that were infected for 18 months or more. This inversion was associated with a decrease in the absolute numbers of CD4+ T cells and a concomitant increase in CD8+ cells. However, the total numbers of circulating T and B cells were not significantly reduced. Cats infected with FIV for 24 to 28 months also had significantly elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), but normal levels of IgA and IgM. The long-term decline in CD4+ T cells and hypergammaglobulinemia observed in FIV-infected cats resemble the abnormalities occurring in humans after human immunodeficiency virus infection. |
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