Loss of neutrophil and natural killer cell function following feline immunodeficiency virus infection

Experimental infection with the Mt. Airy isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIVMA), a lentivirus isolated from a domestic cat exhibiting signs of an immunodeficiency-like syndrome, results in transient lymphadenopathy, fever, stomatitis, enteritis, neurologic abnormalities, and immunosuppression. The effects of FIVMA infection on neutrophil and natural killer cell (NK) function were examined in vitro. Suppression of neutrophil chemiluminescence (CL) responses, as well as reduction in NK-mediated cytotoxicity were demonstrated. Neutrophil CL was decreased by 50% in infected cats when compared to control values. This loss of CL was present through 6 months after infection. In addition, NK-mediated cytotoxicity was approximately 50% less in FIVMA infected cats than in controls. Loss of innate immunity was paralleled with inversion in feline CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratios and decreases in lymphocyte mitogenesis seen as early as 5 weeks after infection. These results suggest that FIVMA infection induces an immunodeficiency disorder in infected cats similar to that seen in human immunodeficiency virus infections.