title: Feline infectious peritonitis in a mountain lion (Puma concolor), California, USA.
abstract: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal immune-mediated vasculitis of felids caused by a mutant form of a common feline enteric virus, feline enteric coronavirus. The virus can attack many organ systems and causes a broad range of signs, commonly including weight loss and fever. Regardless of presentation, FIP is ultimately fatal and often presents a diagnostic challenge. In May 2010, a malnourished young adult male mountain lion (Puma concolor) from Kern County, California, USA was euthanized because of concern for public safety, and a postmortem examination was performed. Gross necropsy and histopathologic examination revealed necrotizing, multifocal myocarditis; necrotizing, neutrophilic, and histiocytic myositis and vasculitis of the tunica muscularis layer of the small and large intestines; and embolic, multifocal, interstitial pneumonia. Feline coronavirus antigen was detected in both the heart and intestinal tissue by immunohistochemistry. A PCR for coronavirus performed on kidney tissue was positive, confirming a diagnosis of FIP. Although coronavirus infection has been documented in mountain lions by serology, this is the first confirmed report of FIP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. nstephenson@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: S Joy
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Worth
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002415:Cats; D016765:Coronavirus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D016766:Feline Infectious Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D046011:Puma / Q000821:virology*