Abstract
Seven cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) clinically diagnosed as non-effusive type, were examined histopathologically. Most lesions were similar to those of effusive type of FIP, showinig necrosis with vasculitis and granulomatous inflammation in the kidneys, liver, mesenteritc lymph nodes, lungs, brain and eyes. After inoculation with emulsion of materials from one of the natural cases, effusive and non-effusive types of FIP were produced in 10 and 2 kittens, respectively. Histopathology and electron microscopy of the naturally occurring and experimentally induced cases revealed viral growth in large mononuclear cells at early stages of infection prior to formation of necrotic lesions.
