Feline immunodeficiency virus predisposes cats to acute generalized toxoplasmosis.

摘要: This study was designed to examine the effects of a pre-existing, clinically asymptomatic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection on primary challenge with Toxoplasma gondii. Parenteral FIV-infected cats tachyzoites ME49 strain T. gondii caused precipitous drop in all lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+, and B cells) generalized severe toxoplasmosis. The predominant postmortem lesions included acute often fatal interstitial pneumonia, dominated histologically by macrophages, multifocal coalescing hepatic necrosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed numerous antigen macrophages other cell types lung lesions. proliferative response peripheral blood mononuclear cells specific (T. antigen) nonspecific (Concanavalin A) mitogens defective dually infected cats, suggesting marked immunosuppression. In contrast only developed transient, mild clinical disease characterized anorexia, lethargy, chorioretinitis. Lymphocyte changes gondii-infected an early pan-lymphopenia followed reestablishment lymphocyte subset profiles. These also showed reduced Concanavalin A at 1 week after challenge, but measurable vivo antigens, as evidenced vitro proliferation absence mitogenic stimulus. results show that FIV-NCSU, markedly enhances their susceptibility provides model mechanisms underlying immunological defect(s) occurring HIV may predispose individuals development acquired syndrome associated diseases.