One of the following specimens:
1. 1.0 – 2.0 mL fluid (ascitic fluid, pleural effusion, urine) in sterile tube
2. Tissue biopsies (organ, node) in a sterile tube with 0.5 mL of saline (formalin fixed tissue is not acceptable)
3. Aspirates (organ, node) placed on a glass slide
Note:
Highest copy numbers of FIP mRNA are found in peritoneal fluid, followed by urine, lymph node tissue, intestinal tissue and pleural fluid. The lowest copy numbers are found in whole blood, bone marrow and CSF.
Test Description
This PCR test detects mRNA of the M gene of all known feline coronavirus strains in any sample. However, for diagnosis of FIP, only the detection of mRNA outside of the intestinal tract is indicative since active replication of the virus in circulating mononuclear cells is typical for FIP.