Premium
Diagnostic accuracy of the R ivalta test for feline infectious peritonitis
Author(s) -
Fischer Yvonne,
SauterLouis Carola,
Hartmann Katrin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2012.00464.x
Subject(s) - cats , medicine , feline infectious peritonitis , gastroenterology , effusion , population , diagnostic test , predictive value of tests , pathology , surgery , veterinary medicine , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , covid-19 , environmental health
Background The R ivalta test has been used routinely in E urope to diagnose feline infectious peritonitis ( FIP ) in cats with effusions, but its diagnostic accuracy is uncertain. Objectives The objectives of this study were to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive ( PPV ) and negative ( NPV ) predictive values of the R ivalta test for FIP and to identify correlations between a positive R ivalta test and variables measured in effusion fluid and peripheral blood. Methods In this retrospective study, medical records of cats with effusions were reviewed, and cats with conclusive results for the R ivalta test were included. The prevalence of FIP in this population was determined, and sensitivity, specificity, and PPV and NPV of the R ivalta test were calculated. Variables measured in effusion fluid and peripheral blood were compared between cats that had positive or negative Rivalta tests using the M ann– W hitney U ‐test and multivariate analysis. Results Of 851 cats with effusions, 782 had conclusively positive or negative results for the R ivalta test. A definitive final diagnosis was made in 497 of these cats. Prevalence of FIP in cats with effusion and a conclusive R ivalta test result was 34.6%. The R ivalta test had a sensitivity of 91.3%, specificity of 65.5%, PPV of 58.4%, and NPV of 93.4% for the diagnosis of FIP . These values increased when cats with lymphoma or bacterial infections were excluded, or when only cats ≤ 2 years were considered. Increased effusion cholesterol concentration and specific gravity as well as decreased serum albumin:globulin ratio and hyperbilirubinemia were positively correlated with positive R ivalta test results. Conclusions Sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of the R ivalta test for the diagnosis of FIP were lower than previously reported except when used in young cats. The components in effusions that lead to a positive R ivalta test remain unknown, but the positivity is not simply related to high total protein concentration.