Decline in CD4+ cell numbers in cats with naturally acquired feline immunodeficiency virus infection. |
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| Authors: | G Hoffmann-Fezer J Thum C Ackley M Herbold J Mysliwietz S Thefeld K Hartmann and W Kraft |
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| Institution: | Institut für Immunologie, GSF, Munich, Germany. |
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| Abstract: | T-cell subsets were studied by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis in 57 feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-seropositive cats with naturally acquired FIV infection to see whether CD4(+)-CD8+ alterations were comparable to those observed in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. CD4+ values were decreased and CD8+ values were increased. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was reduced to 1.6, compared with 3.3 in 33 FIV-seronegative control cats. Variance analysis of data showed a significant influence of FIV seropositivity, sex, and spaying of female cats on CD4+ values. CD8+ values were significantly influenced by FIV seropositivity, age, and breed. These findings indicate a similarity between FIV and human immunodeficiency virus infections, as far as alterations of T-cell subsets are concerned. |
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