NAVLE Feline Infectious 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the gold standard diagnostic test for confirming wet (effusive) FIP?
- Serum coronavirus antibody titer >1:3200
- Effusion fluid RT-PCR for FCoV with immunostaining of macrophages (Correct answer)
- Complete blood count showing lymphopenia
- Abdominal ultrasound showing mesenteric lymphadenopathy
Correct answer: Effusion fluid RT-PCR for FCoV with immunostaining of macrophages
Immunostaining for FCoV antigen within macrophages in effusion fluid or tissue biopsy is the gold standard for definitive FIP diagnosis.
Question 2: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is classified into subtypes based on host range. Which subtype is associated with the most rapid disease progression and immunosuppression?
- FeLV-A
- FeLV-B
- FeLV-C
- FeLV-T (Correct answer)
Correct answer: FeLV-T
FeLV-T is highly pathogenic, targets T lymphocytes directly causing profound lymphopenia and accelerated immunodeficiency.
Question 3: A kitten born to a queen with Toxoplasma gondii primary infection during pregnancy is most at risk for which clinical outcome?
- Fading kitten syndrome with hepatic necrosis (Correct answer)
- Persistent asymptomatic shedding of oocysts
- Development of mucosal immunity only
- Skin granulomas at birth
Correct answer: Fading kitten syndrome with hepatic necrosis
Congenitally infected kittens develop severe disseminated toxoplasmosis with hepatic necrosis, often presenting as fading kittens.
Question 4: Which test best differentiates a vaccinated cat from a truly FeLV-infected cat when using a standard ELISA?
- Western blot for gp70 antigen
- The ELISA detects p27 antigen which vaccines do not induce (Correct answer)
- PCR for proviral DNA
- Virus isolation in culture
Correct answer: The ELISA detects p27 antigen which vaccines do not induce
FeLV ELISA tests detect the p27 core antigen released by replicating virus, not antibody, so vaccination does not produce a positive result.
Question 5: A cat is diagnosed with feline infectious anemia caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis. Which treatment is most appropriate?
- Enrofloxacin monotherapy
- Doxycycline with supportive care including blood transfusion if needed (Correct answer)
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate
- Metronidazole and ivermectin
Correct answer: Doxycycline with supportive care including blood transfusion if needed
Doxycycline is the first-line antibiotic for Mycoplasma haemofelis, with blood transfusion reserved for severely anemic cats.
Question 6: Feline infectious peritonitis dry (non-effusive) form most commonly causes granulomatous lesions in which anatomical sites?
- Skin and ear canal
- Eyes, CNS, and abdominal organs (Correct answer)
- Lungs and pleural cavity
- Joints and synovium
Correct answer: Eyes, CNS, and abdominal organs
Dry FIP granulomas typically affect the eyes (uveitis), CNS (ataxia, seizures), and abdominal organs (kidney, mesenteric lymph nodes).
Question 7: GS-441524, the active metabolite of remdesivir, has shown efficacy against FIP by targeting which viral component?
- Spike protein receptor-binding domain
- Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Correct answer)
- Nucleocapsid assembly
- 3C-like protease
Correct answer: Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
GS-441524 is a nucleoside analog that inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of feline coronavirus, blocking viral replication.
NAVLE Feline Infectious 3
What is the gold standard diagnostic test for confirming wet (effusive) FIP?