Evaluation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues obtained from vaccine site-associated sarcomas of cats for DNA of feline immunodeficiency virus.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detection of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) DNA, using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, and to use this method to evaluate tissues obtained from vaccine site-associated sarcomas (VSS) of cats for FIV DNA.


METHODS
50 FFPE tissue blocks from VSS of cats and 50 FFPE tissue blocks from cutaneous non-vaccine site-associated fibrosarcomas (non-VSS) of cats.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from FFPE sections of each tumor and regions of the gag gene of FIV were amplified by a PCR, using 3 sets of primers. Sensitivity of the method was compared between frozen and FFPE tissues, using splenic tissue obtained from a cat that had been experimentally infected with FIV.


RESULTS
We did not detect FIV DNA in VSS or non-VSS tissues. Sensitivity of the PCR method was identical for frozen or FFPE tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to detect FIV DNA in FFPE tissues by use of a PCR. We did not find evidence to support direct FIV involvement in the pathogenesis of VSS in cats.
Kidney
B A
BA
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Ellis
J A
JA
Haines
D M
DM
Jackson
M L
ML
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D005557:Formaldehyde; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000662:veterinary; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D005557:Formaldehyde