Demonstration of feline infectious peritonitis virus in conjunctival epithelial cells from cats. A simple and reliable method for clinical veterinary virology screening.

A simple technique demonstrating the presence of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) in cats is described. Smears from the third eyelid (membrana nictitans) were dried on microscope slides, fixed in aetone, and stained using an indirect immunofluorescence method with rabbit-anti-FIPV serum. By this method FIPV-antigen could be demonstrated in the cytoplasma of epithelial cells. The results obtained with this method (M3) were compared with serological and immunohistopathological methods for confirming FIPV-infection in cats. The results obtained by the M3 test were up to 85% in concordance with these other tests. Furthermore, the M3 test was easier and quicker to perform and should be well suited for clinical practice.