Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infection- a significant disease within cat populations

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UCD:Vet College:Research:Projects:Departments:

Sean Callanan.

1. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infection- a significant disease within cat populations

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection is recognised in cats worldwide. Infection is associated with progressive immune dysfunction, neurological disease and the development of neoplasms, notably lymphosarcoma. FIV is recognised internationally as a model of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in man. Studies of immune function, virus dynamics, viral receptors and tumour development reveal many similarities between HIV and FIV infections.

In UCD we are currently characterising the neuropathological findings associated with FIV in collaboration with research groups at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of Glasgow, Scotland. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UCD, funds this work

2. Pike Lymphoma – a cancer with potential viral involvement

Lymphoma in pike (Esox lucuis L.) has been observed in Ireland, the Baltic Sea, Canada and Northern USA. Studies to date have indicated that these tumours may have a retroviral aetiology. The objectives of studies at UCD are to confirm the association of these tumours with a retrovirus, to characterise the genetic make up of this virus and to establish the phenotype of the tumour cells.

This work is in collaboration with the Department of Zoology at University College Cork and Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Glasgow.

Funding: Enterprise Ireland

3. Canine Testicular Cancer – understanding the pathogenes

Testicular tumours represent 5-15% of all neoplasms in male dogs. Seminoma, interstitial and sertoli cell types are identified with equal frequency and metastatic spread is a rare feature. To date diagnosis in the canine relies on clinical signs and histopathology. With the advancement of immunocytochemical techniques, the availability of a broad range of antibodies and evaluated hormone assays there is the ability to re-evaluate canine testicular neoplasms and compare findings with those in man. In man testicular cancer constitutes 1-3% of all malignant neoplasms but accounts for almost 30% of malignant tumours in men between 20 and 34 years of age.

Studies at UCD are concentrating of determining the immunohistochemical profiles of canine testicular tumours to provide a framework in which these tumours can be compared to those in man with a view to understanding the basis of their contrasting behaviours.

Collaborations between the Department of veterinary Pathology and Large Animal Clinical Studies

Funding: Veterinary Council of Ireland

Contact name: Dr. Sean Callanan, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Futher information is available here or by E-mail:Sean.Callanan@ucd.ie