2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

For assessment of FeLV tests, serum or EDTA whole blood samples were collected from animal shelters or reference laboratory and tested with two microtiter plate ELISAs for the detection of FeLV p27 antigen (ViraCHEKÃ’/FeLV and PetChekÃ’ FeLV Antigen Test) to establish a gold standard. Only samples with concordant results were included in the study. For assessment of FIV tests, plasma samples previously collected from naturally or experimentally infected cats and verified by virus culture and from uninfected SPF cats were included. None of the cats had been vaccinated against FIV. The SNAP Ã’ test had the overall best performance. In highstakes testing, test kits should be selected for both high sensitivity and specificity. When tests lack sensitivity, infected cats may escape detection and remain at risk for infecting other cats. When specificity falls, uninfected cats may be unnecessarily segregated or even euthanized. In low infection prevalence, such as observed in FeLV and FIV, decreased specificity has the largest impact on erroneous test results, leading to decreased positive predictive value (increased false-positives).