Prevalence of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in domestic cats in Ireland

AbstractFeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses affecting felid species worldwide. A study was performed over a period of 5 months in Ireland with the aim to get an updated and more realistic prevalence of these retroviruses. A total of 183 EDTA-anticoagulated whole-blood samples were collected from cats distributed between 10 clinics. The samples were tested using both point-of-care enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Basic clinical data and vaccination history were also recorded for the sampled cats. The results of ELISA tests showed a prevalence of 10.4 and 3.3% for FIV and FeLV, respectively, and an apparent prevalence of 9.3% for FIV and 11.6% for FeLV with PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial polymerase (pol) gene sequences obtained from 8 FIV-positive strains showed that all but one of the Irish strains belonged to FIV subtype A, and one to subtype B. The overall mean genetic similarity between the analysed strains was 91.15%.

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Prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in domestic cats in Hungary

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports ◽

10.1177/2055116919892094 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 205511691989209

Author(s):

Anna Szilasi ◽

Lilla Dénes ◽

Eszter Krikó ◽

Kristin Heenemann ◽

Reinhard Ertl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Gene Sequences ◽

Leukaemia Virus ◽

Apparent Prevalence ◽

Subtype B ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Feline Leukaemia Virus

Objectives Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses affecting cats worldwide. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of these retroviruses in domestic cats in Hungary and to characterise the phylogenetic relationships of FIV strains. Methods A total of 335 anticoagulated whole-blood samples obtained from both a healthy and ill cat population were examined for the presence of FIV and FeLV with two methods: ELISA and PCR. Statistical analysis was carried out to analyse the data obtained. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial polymerase ( pol) gene sequences was performed to describe circulating FIV subtypes. Results Statistical analysis showed 11.8% and 9.9% true prevalence of FeLV and FIV, respectively, with ELISA. The apparent prevalence calculated from the PCR results were 17.3% for FeLV and 13.1% for FIV. Phylogenetic analysis of partial pol gene sequences obtained from 22 FIV strains showed that all observed Hungarian strains belonged to FIV subtype B. The strains were grouped into several monophyletic subgroups reflecting the geographic locations of the origin of the samples. The overall mean genetic similarity between the analysed strains was 98.2%. Conclusions and relevance We report the first thorough overview of the prevalence of FeLV and FIV in Hungary, which is relatively high, and give insight into the genetic diversity of Hungarian strains of FIV.

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Detection and molecular characterisation of feline viruses from swab samples

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/004.2021.00020 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hasan Abayli ◽

Kezban Can-Sahna ◽

Remziye Ozbek ◽

Oznur Aslan ◽

Sukru Tonbak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Foamy Virus ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Viral Pathogens ◽

Leukaemia Virus ◽

Feline Panleukopenia Virus ◽

Two Samples ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Feline Leukaemia Virus ◽

Subtype A

AbstractFeline calicivirus (FCV), feline alphaherpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) as well as retroviral agents such as feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are important viral pathogens of cats. The aim of this study was to detect and characterise FHV-1, FPLV, FeLV, FIV and feline foamy virus (FFV) in oropharyngeal, nasal and conjunctival swabs from 93 cats that had been screened for FCV previously. We wanted to determine the possible risk factors for infection with these viruses. The prevalence was found to be 12.9% for FHV-1 and 9.7% for FPLV. FIV was detected only in two samples and FeLV in one sample, whereas the presence of FFV was not demonstrated in any of the clinical samples. The statistical analysis of the results showed that breed, age, health status, and lifestyle are important predisposing factors to FHV-1 (P < 0.05). For FPLV, only clinically unhealthy animals were found to be at risk (P < 0.001). Sequence analysis revealed that the two FIV-positive samples in this study contained different (A and B) subtypes of the virus. This is the first report on the occurrence of subtype A FIV in Turkey.

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Occurrence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in Maputo city and province, Mozambique: a pilot study

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports ◽

10.1177/2055116919870877 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 205511691987087

Author(s):

Cesaltina CLM Tchamo ◽

Mónica De Rugeriis ◽

Emília V Noormahomed

Keyword(s):

Positive Result ◽

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Urban Areas ◽

African Countries ◽

Leukaemia Virus ◽

Zoonotic Pathogens ◽

Test Kit ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Feline Leukaemia Virus ◽

Veterinary Faculty

Objectives Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are immunosuppressive viruses in cats that increase their susceptibility to zoonotic pathogens. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of one or both viruses, the risk factors associated with infection, and to develop further recommendations. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Veterinary Faculty of Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique, between March and December 2017, in 145 cats. From each of 145 cats, we took 1.5 ml of blood by jugular puncture for detection of antibodies to FIV and FeLV antigens in whole blood using a commercial test kit, DFV Test FeLV/FIV. Results We found an overall prevalence of 11.0% and 14.5% for FIV antibodies and FeLV antigens, respectively, with four (2.8%) cats coinfected by both pathogens. Male cats were more likely to be infected with FIV (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3–4.0) compared with female cats. Clinically ill cats were more likely to have a positive result for FeLV antigen infection (OR 18.8, 95% CI 5.2–68.3). Moreover, cats living in suburban areas have a greater chance of a positive result for FeLV infection (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4–9.6) compared with cats living in urban areas. Conclusions and relevance FIV and FeLV occur in cats from Maputo and possibly all over the country. Further studies should be conducted in Mozambique and other African countries to define the burden of both pathogens in cats, coinfection with other zoonotic pathogens and the possible role played by the cats on the transmission of zoonotic and opportunistic diseases to humans.

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