Detection and molecular characterisation of feline viruses from swab samples

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

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/004.2020.00056 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Szilasi ◽

Lilla Dénes ◽

Eszter Krikó ◽

Caoimhe Murray ◽

Míra Mándoki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Leukaemia Virus ◽

Apparent Prevalence ◽

Subtype B ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Vaccination History ◽

Feline Leukaemia Virus ◽

Subtype A

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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The Swedish breeding cat: Population description, infectious diseases and reproductive performance evaluated by a questionnaire

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.jfms.2009.01.008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 793-802 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Bodil Ström Holst ◽

Jenny Frössling

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Free Access ◽

Leukaemia Virus ◽

Feline Panleukopenia Virus ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Feline Leukaemia Virus ◽

The Mean

The questionnaire based study gives a combined description of management, infectious diseases and reproductive performance in breeding catteries during 1 year. The mean number of cats per cattery was 6.1, and 25% of the breeders let some of their cats have free access to outdoors. Breeders reported that infection with feline panleukopenia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukaemia virus was uncommon, but 8% of the breeders had sold or had themselves owned a cat that died of feline infectious peritonitis. Presence of conjunctivitis was reported by 33.3% of the breeders. Mean litter size was 3.7±1.5, with 9.7% stillbirths and 8.3% kitten mortality week 1–12. The percentage of stillborn kittens increased with the age of the queen and litter size, and also differed among breeds. Kitten mortality differed among breeds, but did not increase with age of the queen. Seven percent of the litters were delivered by caesarean section, significantly more during winter and positively associated with presence of stillborn kittens.

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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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