Evaluation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from feline vaccine site-associated sarcomas for feline foamy virus DNA.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a group of vaccine site-associated sarcomas (VSS) for the presence of feline foamy virus (FeFV) DNA, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.


METHODS
50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks from VSS of cats.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from FFPE sections of each tumor, and regions of the gag and pol genes of FeFV were amplified by use of PCR methods, using 1 primer set for each region. Sensitivity of the method was compared between fresh and FFPE cells, using mouse kidney tissue that was injected with FeFV-infected cultured cells and using agarose-cell pellets. Results-Feline foamy virus DNA was not detected in VSS tissues. Sensitivity of the method was 10 times greater in fresh versus FFPE mouse tissues. Sensitivity of the method in fresh FeFV-infected cultured cells versus FFPE agarose-cell pellets was equal when fixation was 24 or 48 hours and 10 times greater when fixation was 72 hours or 1 week.


CONCLUSIONS
A PCR-based method can be successfully applied to FFPE tissues for FeFV DNA detection. Results suggest there is no direct FeFV involvement in the pathogenesis of VSS in cats.
Kidney
Beverly A
BA
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5B4.
Haines
Deborah M
DM
Ellis
John A
JA
Burnham
Micheline L
ML
Jackson
Marion L
ML
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D002415:Cats; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D005557:Formaldehyde; D016612:Paraffin Embedding / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D016092:Spumavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D005557:Formaldehyde