Description
Simple Practical Test To Detect Or Exclude FIP Infection
Test applicable to: Cat
Sample: Abdominal or pleural effusion materialThe RIVALTA FIP-VETube test is a simple, fast, on-site test which allows the veterinarian to detect or exclude an ongoing FIP ( Feline Infectious Peritonitis) infection with a high degree of reliability and is suitable for use in any veterinary practice.
Aid to Differentiate Cause of Effusion
The test is an aid to differentiate between effusions caused by FIP (exudates) and those caused by other diseases (transudates).
Test Principle
Protein in the effusion is detected by adding a drop to the aqua-acetic acid mixture. This can be observed by the characteristic formation of more or less stable precipitation products or cloudy mists, forming drops or smears. In contrast, a transudate completely dissolves during sinking in the aqua-acetic acid mixture.
The Rivalta test is not pathognomic for FIP but nevertheless has a very good sensitivity of 98% (high negative predictive value) and a specificity of 80%. Positive Rivalta tests can occur in cats with bacterial peritonitis or lymphoma although these conditions are usually easy to differentiate between using other tests.
There are many other different laboratory tests available to aid in the diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).
Tests which aid the diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis
- Direct detection of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) in macrophages by PCR.
- Indirect detection of anti-FCoV antibodies using rapid tests and/or indirect immunofluorescence tests (IFT).
- Screening of effusion (e.g. by the Rivalta test, biochemical and cytological tests).
All these tests together with other biochemical and cytological tests have an important role to play in the final diagnosis of FIP.
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