title: Serologic reactivity using conserved envelope epitopes in feline lentivirus-infected felids.
abstract: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on synthetic peptides identical to lentivirus envelope protein amino acid sequences was used to study serologic reactivity of lentivirus-infected domestic cats and nondomestic felids. One feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) peptide, P237, was consistently recognized by antibodies from FIV-infected cats, but 2 other FIV peptide antigens were not. The molecular basis for this serologic reactivity was examined. Lentivirus-infected nondomestic Felis species reacted intensely with a puma lentivirus (PLV) peptide corresponding to the conserved FIV peptide. However, lentivirus-infected Panthera species, from which a different lentivirus has been isolated, did not react with the PLV. FIV-infected domestic felids also did not have significant reactivity with the PLV peptide. The peptide ELISA is comparable in sensitivity and specificity to western blot analysis and a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Unlike the other assays, however, the peptide ELISA is inexpensive, requires a small amount of serum, enables the study of specific isotype reactivity, and discriminates between antibodies to FIV and those to PLV. Antibody tests based upon the FIV and the PLV peptides should be useful for detecting the possible introduction of FIV into exotic felids or of lentiviruses from nondomestic felids into the domestic cat population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kania
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Potgieter
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002335:Carnivora; D002415:Cats; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D016180:Lentivirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008045:Lions; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins