Viruses Genomes - FELINE IMMUNODEFIENCY VIRUS

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes an infectious disease in domestic cats and cheetahs similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV infection) in humans. It attacks and weakens the body’s immune system, making the animal susceptible to infections.

FIV is transmitted primarily through deep, penetrating bite wounds. It is also transmissible to newborn kittens during gestation or passage through the birth canal, or nursing. FIV can also be transmitted through the transfusion of contaminated blood. FIV affects only felines. Once infected the virus is carried to nearby lymph nodes, where it reproduces in white blood cells (T-lymphocytes). The virus then spreads to other lymph nodes throughout the body, resulting in a generalised but usually temporary enlargement of the lymph nodes, often accompanied by fever. This stage of infection may pass unnoticed unless the lymph nodes are greatly enlarged. An infected cat's health may deteriorate progressively or be characterised by recurrent illness interspersed with periods of relative health.

Virologists classify FIV as a lentivirus (or "slow virus"). There is no cure or a vaccine for FIV. Though eventually fatal, an FIV-positive cat can live for many years without any signs of illness. Infected cats may appear normal for years. However, infection eventually leads to a state of immune deficiency that hinders the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections. The same bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that may be found in the everyday environment where they usually do not affect healthy animals can cause severe illness and eventual death in those with weakened immune systems.

FIV-infected cats are found worldwide, but the prevalence of infection varies greatly. In the United States, approximately 1.5 to 3 percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV.

FIV is not transmissible to humans.

References:

http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/fiv/
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/resources/brochure/fiv.html
http://www.blackgiraffe.com/jmight/fiv/fiv.html