As a result of FIV infection of cats, feline immunodeficiency syndrome might be seen in the latter phase of infection. Gengivitis, weight loss, spread enlargement lymph nodes, anemia, chronic renal failure, neurological disturbances, chronic diarrhea, and oportunistic bacterial infections are commonly found. The acute phase of the infection might be unnoticed, making the diagnosis difficult and delaying the adoption of profilatic measures, in order to reduce FIV transmission for other susceptible cats. Aiming to study the clinical characteristics of the acute phase of FIV infection, ten young eight month old cats mixed breed were succesfully inoculated by intravenous route with one mL of blood obtained from one FIV-B positive cat. The infection was confirmed by ELISA test four and eight weeks p.i and nested-PCR. CBC counting, abdominal ultrasonography and ophtalmologic exams were done weekly, fortnightly and monthly during twelve weeks p.i. Mild tendency to lymphopenia at second week and neutropenia between fifth and seventh weeks p.i., fever in a few cats and lymph nodes, spleen and hepatic enlargements were the main clinical alterations found. The latters became evident starting on fourth week and remained throughout the twelve weeks observation period. Only one cat showed unilateral rigt uveitis. The acute phase of FIV infection elapsed with inespecific clinical manifestations. Lymph node, hepatic and spleen enlargements seen, though, suggest the needs for indication of tests for the diagnosis of FIV infection in all cats presenting those signs, thus allowing early diagnosis of FIV infection and the adoption of prophylatic measures.
Feline; virus; feline immunodeficiency; acute infection; ultrasonography
