About the disease
British Shorthair ALPS is a non-neoplastic, lymphoproliferative disease characterised by an accumulation of immune cells in the lymph nodes and spleen, which results in these tissues becoming dramatically enlarged. The disease presents at an early age (6-8 weeks) and progresses rapidly (2-3 weeks) when the kittens show abdominal distension, anaemia, lethargy and weight loss. Affected kittens either die or are euthanised within a short time (4 weeks) of presentation.
Recently a mutation has been found1 in the FASL gene that has been associated with BSH ALPS. Two copies of the mutation (one from each parent) are required for kittens to develop ALPS, hence it is important not to mate two cats carrying the ALPS mutation. There is currently no evidence that cats only carrying the ALPS mutation (i.e. heterozygous) suffer any clinical
disease.
The disease is not common and, to date, has only been identified in BSH cats.1 It is thought that
the disease originated in BSH cats from Australia or New Zealand.2 Hence, BSH cats imported from these countries, and their offspring, are at risk of carrying the ALPS mutation.
1 Aberdein D, Munday JS, Gandolfi B, Dittmer KE, Malik R, Garrick DJ, Lyons LA & 99 Lives Consortium (2017). A
FAS-ligand variant associated with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome in cats. Mammalian Genome 28, 47-
55.
2 Aberdein D, Munday JS, Fairly RA, Vernau W & Thompson KG (2015). A novel and likely inherited
lymphoproliferative disease in British Shorthair kittens. Veterinary Pathology 52, 1176-1182.
British Shorthair ALPS is a non-neoplastic, lymphoproliferative disease characterised by an accumulation of immune cells in the lymph nodes and spleen, which results in these tissues becoming dramatically enlarged. The disease presents at an early age (6-8 weeks) and progresses rapidly (2-3 weeks) when the kittens show abdominal distension, anaemia, lethargy and weight loss. Affected kittens either die or are euthanised within a short time (4 weeks) of presentation.
Recently a mutation has been found1 in the FASL gene that has been associated with BSH ALPS. Two copies of the mutation (one from each parent) are required for kittens to develop ALPS, hence it is important not to mate two cats carrying the ALPS mutation. There is currently no evidence that cats only carrying the ALPS mutation (i.e. heterozygous) suffer any clinical
disease.
The disease is not common and, to date, has only been identified in BSH cats.1 It is thought that
the disease originated in BSH cats from Australia or New Zealand.2 Hence, BSH cats imported from these countries, and their offspring, are at risk of carrying the ALPS mutation.
1 Aberdein D, Munday JS, Gandolfi B, Dittmer KE, Malik R, Garrick DJ, Lyons LA & 99 Lives Consortium (2017). A
FAS-ligand variant associated with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome in cats. Mammalian Genome 28, 47-
55.
2 Aberdein D, Munday JS, Fairly RA, Vernau W & Thompson KG (2015). A novel and likely inherited
lymphoproliferative disease in British Shorthair kittens. Veterinary Pathology 52, 1176-1182.
Interpretation of results
A Normal result on the BSH ALPS genetic assay means that the cat does not have the FASL genetic mutation.
A Carrier result on the BSH ALPS genetic assay means that the cat carries one copy of the FASL genetic mutation. This cat is a Carrier of ALPS and will not develop the disease, but can pass the mutation to its offspring.
An Affected result on the BSH ALPS genetic assay means that the cat has two copies of the FASL genetic mutation and will be affected by ALPS.
Each certificate we issue will specify whether the cat is Normal, Carrier or Affected for the BSH ALPS mutation.
The gene test will help breeders decide whether or not to use cats for breeding. There is a 25% probability of two Carrier (Heterozygous) cats producing affected (Homozygous) kittens. Breeding Carrier and Normal cats will produce around 50% Normal and 50% Carrier kittens.
This strategy can be used as part of a breeding programme to gradually eliminate the defective gene from the BSH population
What are the genetics of breeding?
Autosomal Recessive
BSH ALPS is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, meaning that two copies of the defective gene are required in a cat to produce the disease.
Carrier cats (those with a single copy of the defective gene; Heterozygous) are not affected. However, breeding from two Carrier cats has a 25% chance of producing Affected kittens, a 25% chance of producing Normal kittens and a 50% chance of producing more Carrier cats.
Therefore, it is NOT recommended to breed two Carrier cats together, since this can produce
Affected kittens.
Autosomal Recessive
BSH ALPS is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, meaning that two copies of the defective gene are required in a cat to produce the disease.
Carrier cats (those with a single copy of the defective gene; Heterozygous) are not affected. However, breeding from two Carrier cats has a 25% chance of producing Affected kittens, a 25% chance of producing Normal kittens and a 50% chance of producing more Carrier cats.
Therefore, it is NOT recommended to breed two Carrier cats together, since this can produce
Affected kittens.
What do I do with a Carrier?
Breeding is still possible
It is possible to continue to use Carrier cats in breeding programmes to retain important breeding lines and to avoid reducing the size of the gene pool.
As long as Carrier cats are mated to Normal cats no Affected kittens will be produced. This mating is likely to produce kittens that are Carriers, which can be identified by genetic testing and, if necessary, future matings arranged with Normal cats.
Breeding is still possible
It is possible to continue to use Carrier cats in breeding programmes to retain important breeding lines and to avoid reducing the size of the gene pool.
As long as Carrier cats are mated to Normal cats no Affected kittens will be produced. This mating is likely to produce kittens that are Carriers, which can be identified by genetic testing and, if necessary, future matings arranged with Normal cats.
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