Early replication stages of feline enteric coronavirus in its real target cell, the enterocyte. Ghent University
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared infectious cause of death in cats, caused by the feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). FIPV is a virulent mutant of the feline enteric coronavirus, an ubiquitous but harmless intestinal virus. The mutation provides FIPV with tools to replicate in monocytes, in which it can be spread over the whole body, resulting in a fatal, systemic disorder. As for other coronaviruses, curative ...