Markers of feline leukaemia virus infection or exposure in cats from a region of low seroprevalence.

Abstract

Molecular techniques have demonstrated that cats may harbour feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) provirus in the absence of antigenaemia. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), p27 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), anti-feline oncornavirus-associated cell-membrane-antigen (FOCMA) antibody testing and virus isolation (VI) we investigated three groups of cats. Among cats with cytopenias or lymphoma, 2/75 were transiently positive for provirus and anti-FOCMA antibodies were the only evidence of exposure in another. In 169 young, healthy cats, all tests were negative. In contrast, 3/4 cats from a closed household where FeLV was confirmed by isolation, had evidence of infection. Our results support a role for factors other than FeLV in the pathogenesis of cytopenias and lymphoma. There was no evidence of exposure in young cats. In regions of low prevalence, where the positive predictive value of antigen testing is low, qPCR may assist with diagnosis.

• Authors: Julia A Beatty, Séverine Tasker, Oswald Jarrett, Amy Lam, Stephanie Gibson, Alice Noe-Nordberg, Angela Phillips, Anne Fawcett, Vanessa R Barrs
• Journal: Journal of feline medicine and surgery (J Feline Med Surg) Vol. 13 Issue 12 Pg. 927-33 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1532-2750 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21880527 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 ISFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• DNA, Viral

Topics

• Animals
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Cats
• DNA, Viral (analysis)
• England (epidemiology)
• Female
• Leukemia Virus, Feline (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Leukemia, Feline (blood, epidemiology, etiology)
• Male
• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (veterinary)
• Seroepidemiologic Studies