DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (5) , 663-671
Abstract
Disseminated intravascular coagulation was induced in kittens by i.p. inoculation of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). Kittens seronegative to FIPV survived significantly (P < 0.05) longer than those seropositive to FIPV. Pyrexia, anemia, icterus, hyperbilirubinemia and elevated concentrations of liver-specific enzymes were detected in the inoculated cats. Lesions induced included disseminated fibrinonecrotic and pyogranulomatous inflammation, hepatic necrosis and widespread phlebitis and thrombosis. Localization of FIPV antigen and immunoglobulin G was demonstrated in foci of hepatic necrosis by immunofluorescence microscopy. Lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperfibrinogenemia and increased quantities of fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products were present in cats after the onset of clinical illness. Depression of factor VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII plasma activities and prolongation of prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times developed in infected cats. The accelerated onset of clinical disease and mortality in seropositive kittens vs. seronegative kittens and the association of virus and antibody in multiple foci of hepatic necrosis suggest an immune-mediated component involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.