Re: timing on FeLV+ test

[Nina]

I wrote to this person off list and asked them to clarify.  Here's his response: > Let me rephrase that: IFAs depend upon advanced stages of infection to detect the presence of antigen and thus won't usually pick up early infections or sequestered infections *that don't involve the bone marrow*. If cat tests ELISA+ and IFA- she's probably harboring an FeLV infection in some nonmyeloid compartment of the body. > Nina wrote: I'm confused about who is asking what here.  Who's the person that is using caps to talk with?  Anyway, this was just posted on my feral list in answer to questions about ELISA vs IFA.  I don't know this person, (and I hope he wouldn't mind my copying his post for our list), but his response seemed knowledgeable and even in my foggy state of mind, a reasonable explanation.  I had thought that it wasn't possible to detect felv antigens in the bone marrow, (sequestered), even with an IFA.  I thought I'd throw his comments out there for others to comment on.  Nina > the ELISA is about 100 times more sensitive than the IFA- but not as specific- which accounts for the high % of false positives. The ELISA detects soluble (circulating) P27 antigen while the IFA detects P27 antigen in nucleated cells, neutrophils and platelets, or in bone marrow cells. IFAs depend upon advanced stages of infection to detect the presence of antigen and thus will not usually pick up early infections or sequestered infections. The increased sensitivity of the ELISA allows the detection of early infections, transient infections, and sequestered infections that may not be picked up by the IFA. Neither the ELISA nor IFA will not detect viral latency, because during viral latency P27 antigen is not being produced. > Susan Franklin wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9/11/06 8:37:18 AM >>> Susan, I would wait *at least* 90 days and then get the IFA test. WOULD I NOT WANT TO GET THE ELISSA TEST AGAIN??? ISN'T THE IFA TEST "THE FINAL SAY"??? IF THE IFA CAME BACK POSITIVE, WOULD I CONTINUE TO RETEST WITH THE IFA? AND HOW OFTEN? Keep giving the Mega C and good food and hopefully he will clear the virus. But if not and it could take longer than 90 days, he'll still be healthier with the supplements and better food, which gives him a better chance of fighting off any opportunistic diseases or viruses. WILL DO. THANK YOU. I had Bailey tested once a year for about the first 5 years by then it was obvious he wasn't going to throw it off, this is after the initial retest in 90 days. I had him PCR tested when he was about 8 years old and it was in his DNA. But he was healthy up until he got sick at almost 11 years of age, and he tested positive at 5 months of age, so he lived a very good life for about 11 years being positive. AND THANK THE GOOD LORD BAILEY HAD YOU!!!!!!!!!! I'M GOING TO DO ALL I CAN FOR MY GUNNAR. AND HOPEFULLY YOU DON'T SEE ANY HUGE PROBLEMS WITH HIS MIXING WITH KELLY AND MEAGAN (NEGS)?? I'VE GOT TO SAY....THIS SITE HAS GIVEN ME SO MUCH HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE. REGARDING MIXING, ETC. THANK GOD YOU GUYS WERE THERE TO TELL ME ABOUT THE WELLNESS FOOD AND THE MEGA C. MY VET WASN'T EXACTLY ENCOURAGING ABOUT HIM THROWING OFF THE VIRUS - AND OTHER SITES ARE JUST SO "DOWN" ON MIXING. God bless you all - you are generous with your time and advice and it's just so obvious how much you love your furry friends!!