title: Renal alterations in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cats: a natural model of lentivirus-induced renal disease changes.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with several renal syndromes including acute and chronic renal failures, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are unclear. HIV and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) share numerous biological and pathological features, including renal alterations. We investigated and compared the morphological changes of renal tissue of 51 experimentally and 21 naturally infected cats. Compared to the latter, the experimentally infected cats exhibited some mesangial widening and glomerulonephritis, milder proteinuria, and lower tubular and interstitial alterations. The numbers of giant protein tubular casts and tubular microcysts were also lower. In contrast, diffuse interstitial infiltrates and glomerular and interstitial amyloidosis were detected only in naturally infected cats. Similar alterations are found in HIV infected patients, thus supporting the idea of a causative role of FIV infection in renal disease, and underlining the relevance of the FIV and its natural host as an animal model for investigating lentivirus-associated nephropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology, Prophylaxis and Food Hygiene, Veterinary Faculty, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poli
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tozon
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic, Veterinary Faculty, University of Pisa, Via Livornese, San Piero a Grado, Pisa 56122, Italy.
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno, 35/39, Pisa 56127, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pistello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy