Péritonite infectieuse féline

Feline infectious peritonitis is a fatal disease of felidae due to a feline coronavirus, occurring mainly in kittens between 6 months and 2 years. This disease manifests clinically in varied symptoms, the most characteristic being the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal or pleural cavity. In fact, there are two feline coronavirus biotypes, which include respectively the virulent strains that cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIPV) and the avirulent strains (FeCV) more common in feline population. The high genetic similarity between FeCV and FIPV strains suggests that FIPVs arise by mutation from avirulent coronavirus FeCVs. This link between the two biotypes makes viral laboratory diagnosis interpretation complex, as currently no diagnostic tool allows distinguishing them. This article presents recent information regarding aetiology, pathogenicity, clinical aspects, epidemiology, diagnosis and prophylaxis of this disease.