Role of feline immunodeficiency in the development of ophthalmological pathology

The immune reactivity of animals plays an important role in the prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The most dangerous disease that affects the immune system is feline viral immunodeficiency, which provokes the development of pathology of various organs and systems. The purpose of the review is to reveal the pathogenesis of viral immunodeficiency and show its role in the development of ophthalmological pathology in cats. The search for data for writing the article was carried out in databases eLIBRARY.RU, Web of Science, PubMed and etc. where the key words and phrases were used «feline immunodeficiency virus», «FIV», «anterior uveitis», «glaucoma», «chorioretinitis». The article presents data on the etiology, clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of feline viral immunodeficiency and its connection with the development of ophthalmological diseases. The most common is chronic anterior uveitis. Changes are often found in the posterior segment of the eye and include intermediate uveitis, degeneration, and retinal hemorrhages. Uveitis caused by FIV often becomes chronic and requires long-term therapy. Glaucoma is a severe complication of chronic uveitis. This disease is the most common cause of enucleation. To diagnose viral immunodeficiency, serological methods are used, but not earlier than 12 weeks after infection. Not only systemic but also local manifestations of the disease are diagnostically informative, allowing one to predict possible complications. Prevention of viral immunodeficiency involves eliminating unwanted contacts of cats with potentially sick animals. Some countries provide vaccination. Effective treatment has not been developed; therapy is aimed at eliminating symptoms, taking into account the pathogenetic mechanisms of disease development.