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Chen CC, Chang AM, Chen WJ, Chang PJ, Lai YC, Lee HH. Molecular survey of selected viral pathogens in wild leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Taiwan with an emphasis on the spatial and temporal dynamics of carnivore protoparvovirus 1. Arch Virol 2021; 166:427-438. [PMID: 33389172 PMCID: PMC7778563 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04904-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) was listed as an endangered species under the Wildlife Conservation Act in Taiwan in 2009. However, no study has evaluated the possible direct or indirect effects of pathogens on the Taiwanese leopard cat population. Here, we targeted viral pathogens, including carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (genus Protoparvovirus), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), coronaviruses (CoVs), and canine distemper virus (CDV), through molecular screening. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the target pathogens were evaluated. Through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we clarified the phylogenetic relationship of viral pathogens isolated from leopard cats and domestic carnivores. Samples from 23 live-trapped leopard cats and 29 that were found dead were collected from 2015 to 2019 in Miaoli County in northwestern Taiwan. Protoparvoviruses and CoVs were detected in leopard cats, and their prevalence (95% confidence interval) was 63.5% (50.4%–76.6%) and 8.8% (0%–18.4%), respectively. Most of the protoparvovirus sequences amplified from Taiwanese leopard cats and domestic carnivores were identical. All of the CoV sequences amplified from leopard cats were identified as feline CoV. No spatial or temporal aggregation of protoparvovirus infection in leopard cats was found in the sampling area, indicating a wide distribution of protoparvoviruses in the leopard cat habitat. We consider sympatric domestic carnivores to be the probable primary reservoir for the identified pathogens. We strongly recommend management of protoparvoviruses and feline CoV in the leopard cat habitat, particularly vaccination programs and population control measures for free-roaming dogs and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chih Chen
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
| | - Ai-Mei Chang
- Graduate Institute of Animal Vaccine Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Jhen Chen
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Jen Chang
- Formosan Wild Sound Conservation Science Center, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Lai
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, Huafan University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Hsun Lee
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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Studer N, Lutz H, Saegerman C, Gönczi E, Meli ML, Boo G, Hartmann K, Hosie MJ, Moestl K, Tasker S, Belák S, Lloret A, Boucraut-Baralon C, Egberink HF, Pennisi MG, Truyen U, Frymus T, Thiry E, Marsilio F, Addie D, Hochleithner M, Tkalec F, Vizi Z, Brunetti A, Georgiev B, Ludwig-Begall LF, Tschuor F, Mooney CT, Eliasson C, Orro J, Johansen H, Juuti K, Krampl I, Kovalenko K, Šengaut J, Sobral C, Borska P, Kovaříková S, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Pan-European Study on the Prevalence of the Feline Leukaemia Virus Infection - Reported by the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD Europe). Viruses 2019; 11:v11110993. [PMID: 31671816 PMCID: PMC6893802 DOI: 10.3390/v11110993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus associated with fatal disease in progressively infected cats. While testing/removal and vaccination led to a decreased prevalence of FeLV, recently, this decrease has reportedly stagnated in some countries. This study aimed to prospectively determine the prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats taken to veterinary facilities in 32 European countries. FeLV viral RNA was semiquantitatively detected in saliva, using RT-qPCR as a measure of viraemia. Risk and protective factors were assessed using an online questionnaire to report geographic, demographic, husbandry, FeLV vaccination, and clinical data. The overall prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats visiting a veterinary facility, of which 10.4% were shelter and rescue cats, was 2.3% (141/6005; 95% CI: 2.0%–2.8%) with the highest prevalences in Portugal, Hungary, and Italy/Malta (5.7%–8.8%). Using multivariate analysis, seven risk factors (Southern Europe, male intact, 1–6 years of age, indoor and outdoor or outdoor-only living, living in a group of ≥5 cats, illness), and three protective factors (Northern Europe, Western Europe, pedigree cats) were identified. Using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis, the origin of cats in Europe, pedigree, and access to outdoors were important predictors of FeLV status. FeLV-infected sick cats shed more viral RNA than FeLV-infected healthy cats, and they suffered more frequently from anaemia, anorexia, and gingivitis/stomatitis than uninfected sick cats. Most cats had never been FeLV-vaccinated; vaccination rates were indirectly associated with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In conclusion, we identified countries where FeLV was undetectable, demonstrating that the infection can be eradicated and highlighting those regions where awareness and prevention should be increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Studer
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Claude Saegerman
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Enikö Gönczi
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Gianluca Boo
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany.
| | - Margaret J Hosie
- MRC- University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Karin Moestl
- Institute of Virology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK & Chief Medical Officer, Linnaeus Group, Shirley, Solihull B90 4BN, UK.
| | - Sándor Belák
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Albert Lloret
- Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Herman F Egberink
- University of Utrecht, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, 3584 CL Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Maria-Grazia Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Uwe Truyen
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Tadeusz Frymus
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Diane Addie
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | | | - Filip Tkalec
- Veterinarska klinika Kreszinger, 10360 Sesvete, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zsuzsanna Vizi
- University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Anna Brunetti
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Boyko Georgiev
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Louisa F Ludwig-Begall
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Flurin Tschuor
- Kleintierklinik BolligerTschuor AG, Fachtierärzte für Kleintiere, 4665 Oftringen - Zofingen, Switzerland.
| | - Carmel T Mooney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Catarina Eliasson
- Jamaren - Swedish Veterinary Feline Study Group, 275 71 Lövestad, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Kirsi Juuti
- CatVet Kissaklinikka, 00400 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Igor Krampl
- Slovak Small Animal Veterinary Association, 821 02 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Kaspars Kovalenko
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Lifesciences and Technologies, LV-3004 Jelgava, Latvia.
| | - Jakov Šengaut
- Jakov Veterinary Centre, Gerosios Vilties g. 1, LT-03147 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | | | - Petra Borska
- Small Animal Emergency Clinic, 637 00 Brno-Jundrov, Czech Republic.
| | - Simona Kovaříková
- Department of Animal Protection, Welfare and Behavior, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Iatta R, Furlanello T, Colella V, Tarallo VD, Latrofa MS, Brianti E, Trerotoli P, Decaro N, Lorusso E, Schunack B, Mirò G, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. A nationwide survey of Leishmania infantum infection in cats and associated risk factors in Italy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007594. [PMID: 31306417 PMCID: PMC6667148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Though scantly investigated, Leishmania infantum infection and clinical cases of leishmaniasis in cats have been recently reported in several countries of the Mediterranean basin, with large variability in prevalence data. A major limitation in the comparability of the data available is attributed to the differences in diagnostic techniques employed and cat populations sampled. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of L. infantum infection in owned cats across Italy by serological and molecular tests and the identification of potential risk factors. Blood samples from 2,659 cats from northern (n = 1,543), central (n = 471) and southern (n = 645) Italy were tested for antibodies against L. infantum, by an immunofluorescence antibody test and for the parasites’ DNA, by real-time PCR. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. An overall cumulative L. infantum prevalence of 3.9% was recorded by serology (3.3%) and/or qPCR (0.8%), with a higher rate (10.5%) in southern Italy. The risk of L. infantum infection in cats was significantly associated to the geographical areas (South vs North and Centre; p<0.0001), age class (from 19 months to 6 years old vs ≤18 months old, p = 0.0003), neutering status (not neutered vs neutered, p = 0.0028) and FIV infection (p = 0.0051).Though the role of cats in the epidemiology of L. infantum is still debated, our findings indicate that cats are exposed to and/or infected by this protozoan, mainly in endemic regions of Italy. Hence, a standardization of procedures for a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection in cats and for screening cat population is crucial for a better understanding of the epidemiology of feline leishmaniasis, and of the potential role of cats in the transmission cycle of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially fatal parasitic disease, which is caused by Leishmania infantum. Its distribution is associated with the occurrence of the sand fly vectors and reservoir hosts. Since L. infantum infection can occur in cats with clinical or subclinical outcomes, the role of cats in the epidemiology of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis needs to be thoroughly assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors for infection with L. infantum in a large subset of cats across Italy, a known endemic area with records of human cases of visceral leishmaniasis. Serum and blood samples from 2,659 cats from northern (n = 1,543), central (n = 471) and southern (n = 645) Italy were tested for antibodies against L. infantum and parasites’ DNA, respectively. A cumulative L. infantum prevalence of 3.9% was recorded by serology (3.3%) and/or real-time PCR (0.8%). The risk of L. infantum infection in cats was associated to the geographical areas, age class, neutering status and feline immunodeficiency virus infection. These findings reveal that cats are exposed to and/or infected by this protozoan across the country, warranting further investigation to assess their role in the epidemiology of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis to refine surveillance and prevention strategies against this veterinary and medically important ailment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | | | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Trerotoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lorusso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Guadalupe Mirò
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Immunology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Westman M, Norris J, Malik R, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Harvey A, McLuckie A, Perkins M, Schofield D, Marcus A, McDonald M, Ward M, Hall E, Sheehy P, Hosie M. The Diagnosis of Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) Infection in Owned and Group-Housed Rescue Cats in Australia. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060503. [PMID: 31159230 PMCID: PMC6630418 DOI: 10.3390/v11060503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A field study was undertaken to (i) measure the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) exposure and FeLV infection in a cross-section of healthy Australian pet cats; and (ii) investigate the outcomes following natural FeLV exposure in two Australian rescue facilities. Group 1 (n = 440) consisted of healthy client-owned cats with outdoor access, predominantly from eastern Australia. Groups 2 (n = 38) and 3 (n = 51) consisted of a mixture of healthy and sick cats, group-housed in two separate rescue facilities in Sydney, Australia, tested following identification of index cases of FeLV infection in cats sourced from these facilities. Diagnostic testing for FeLV exposure/infection included p27 antigen testing using three different point-of-care FeLV kits and a laboratory-based ELISA, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing to detect FeLV proviral DNA in leukocytes, real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) testing to detect FeLV RNA in plasma, and neutralising antibody (NAb) testing. Cats were classified as FeLV-uninfected (FeLV-unexposed and presumptively FeLV-abortive infections) or FeLV-infected (presumptively regressive and presumptively progressive infections). In Group 1, 370 FeLV-unexposed cats (370/440, 84%), 47 abortive infections (47/440, 11%), nine regressive infections (9/440, 2%), and two progressive infections (2/440, 0.5%) were identified, and 12 FeLV-uninfected cats (12/440, 3%) were unclassifiable as FeLV-unexposed or abortive infections due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. In Groups 2 and 3, 31 FeLV-unexposed cats (31/89, 35%), eight abortive infections (8/89, 9%), 22 regressive infections (22/89; 25%), and 19 progressive infections (19/89; 21%) were discovered, and nine FeLV-uninfected cats (9/89; 10%) were unclassifiable due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. One of the presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 was likely a focal FeLV infection. Two other presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 may have been classified as regressive infections with repeated testing, highlighting the difficulties associated with FeLV diagnosis when sampling cats at a single time point, even with results from a panel of FeLV tests. These results serve as a reminder to Australian veterinarians that the threat of FeLV to the general pet cat population remains high, thus vigilant FeLV testing, separate housing for FeLV-infected cats, and FeLV vaccination of at-risk cats is important, particularly in group-housed cats in shelters and rescue facilities, where outbreaks of FeLV infection can occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Westman
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Jacqueline Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory and Centre for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, The University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea Harvey
- Small Animal Specialist Hospital, 1 Richardson Place, North Ryde, Sydney, 2113 NSW, Australia.
| | - Alicia McLuckie
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | | | | | - Alan Marcus
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Mike McDonald
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Michael Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 2570 NSW, Australia.
| | - Evelyn Hall
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 2570 NSW, Australia.
| | - Paul Sheehy
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 2570 NSW, Australia.
| | - Margaret Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, Scotland G61 1QH, UK.
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Chiu ES, Kraberger S, Cunningham M, Cusack L, Roelke M, VandeWoude S. Multiple Introductions of Domestic Cat Feline Leukemia Virus in Endangered Florida Panthers. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:92-101. [PMID: 30561312 PMCID: PMC6302599 DOI: 10.3201/eid2501.181347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) had an outbreak of infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in the early 2000s that resulted in the deaths of 3 animals. A vaccination campaign was instituted during 2003-2007 and no additional cases were recorded until 2010. During 2010-2016, six additional FeLV cases were documented. We characterized FeLV genomes isolated from Florida panthers from both outbreaks and compared them with full-length genomes of FeLVs isolated from contemporary Florida domestic cats. Phylogenetic analyses identified at least 2 circulating FeLV strains in panthers, which represent separate introductions from domestic cats. The original FeLV virus outbreak strain is either still circulating or another domestic cat transmission event has occurred with a closely related variant. We also report a case of a cross-species transmission event of an oncogenic FeLV recombinant (FeLV-B). Evidence of multiple FeLV strains and detection of FeLV-B indicate Florida panthers are at high risk for FeLV infection.
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Zandonà L, Brunetta R, Zanardello C, Vascellari M, Persico L, Mazzolini E. Cerebral toxoplasmosis in a cat with feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis viral infections. Can Vet J 2018; 59:860-862. [PMID: 30104776 PMCID: PMC6049326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A diarrheic young cat died after neurological involvement. Biochemistry pointed to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The final diagnosis was severe multifocal meningoencephalitis due to Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of the parasite in the brain was confirmed using immunohistochemical staining. Concomitant feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and FIP were possible contributors to the clinical, fatal outcome.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cat Diseases/parasitology
- Cat Diseases/pathology
- Cat Diseases/virology
- Cats
- Coronavirus, Feline/isolation & purification
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis/pathology
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis/virology
- Female
- Leukemia Virus, Feline/isolation & purification
- Leukemia, Feline/parasitology
- Leukemia, Feline/pathology
- Leukemia, Feline/virology
- Meningoencephalitis/parasitology
- Meningoencephalitis/pathology
- Meningoencephalitis/veterinary
- Toxoplasma/isolation & purification
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/parasitology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/pathology
- Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral/parasitology
- Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral/pathology
- Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral/veterinary
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Zandonà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy (Zandonà, Brunetta, Zanardello, Vascellari, Mazzolini); Ambulatorio Veterinario Persico Dr. Luca, Piazzale Capitello 20, 31020 Vidor (TV), Italy (Persico)
| | - Romina Brunetta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy (Zandonà, Brunetta, Zanardello, Vascellari, Mazzolini); Ambulatorio Veterinario Persico Dr. Luca, Piazzale Capitello 20, 31020 Vidor (TV), Italy (Persico)
| | - Claudia Zanardello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy (Zandonà, Brunetta, Zanardello, Vascellari, Mazzolini); Ambulatorio Veterinario Persico Dr. Luca, Piazzale Capitello 20, 31020 Vidor (TV), Italy (Persico)
| | - Marta Vascellari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy (Zandonà, Brunetta, Zanardello, Vascellari, Mazzolini); Ambulatorio Veterinario Persico Dr. Luca, Piazzale Capitello 20, 31020 Vidor (TV), Italy (Persico)
| | - Luca Persico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy (Zandonà, Brunetta, Zanardello, Vascellari, Mazzolini); Ambulatorio Veterinario Persico Dr. Luca, Piazzale Capitello 20, 31020 Vidor (TV), Italy (Persico)
| | - Elena Mazzolini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy (Zandonà, Brunetta, Zanardello, Vascellari, Mazzolini); Ambulatorio Veterinario Persico Dr. Luca, Piazzale Capitello 20, 31020 Vidor (TV), Italy (Persico)
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7
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Hartmann K, Griessmayr P, Schulz B, Greene CE, Vidyashankar AN, Jarrett O, Egberink HF. Quality of different in-clinic test systems for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection. J Feline Med Surg 2016; 9:439-45. [PMID: 17604205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2007.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Many new diagnostic in-house tests for identification of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection have been licensed for use in veterinary practice, and the question of the relative merits of these kits has prompted comparative studies. This study was designed to define the strengths and weaknesses of seven FIV and eight FeLV tests that are commercially available. In this study, 536 serum samples from randomly selected cats were tested. Those samples reacting FIV-positive in at least one of the tests were confirmed by Western blot, and those reacting FeLV-positive were confirmed by virus isolation. In addition, a random selection of samples testing negative in all test systems was re-tested by Western blot (100 samples) and by virus isolation (81 samples). Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of each test and the quality of the results were compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic for Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany.
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Abstract
Ninety-six, randomly selected Swedish cats were evaluated for the presence of dental resorptive lesions. All cats were examined while receiving general anesthesia. Diagnosis was based on oral examination and full-mouth, intraoral dental radiographs. Information concerning age, sex, vaccination status, eating habits, food type, environment (indoor or outdoor housing), oral, discomfort, dental care, and medical treatment was recorded. Hematologic samples included analysis for FeLV, FIV, and calcivirus. Of the cats examined in this study, 32% had gross or radiographic signs of dental resorptive lesions. There was a positive relationship between the occurrence of dental resorptive lesions and increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pettersson
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7037, S-750 07 Uppsala
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9
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Rydzewski L, Scheffold S, Hecht W, Burkhardt E, Kerner K, Klymiuk MC, Deinzer R, Reinacher M, Henrich M. Identification of a novel feline large granular lymphoma cell line (S87) as non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic T-cell line and assessment of its genetic instability. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2016; 177:24-34. [PMID: 27436441 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Feline large granular lymphocyte lymphomas are rare but very aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis. In this study, a cell line from an abdominal effusion of a cat with large granular lymphoma was characterized. Immunophenotype staining was positive for CD3 and CD45R, and negative for CD4, CD8, CD56, CD79α, BLA.36 and NK1. A TCR γ gene rearrangement was detectable by PARR. Neither FeLV antigen nor exogenous FeLV provirus could be detected. A chromosomal instability associated with a centrosome hyperamplification could also be determined. The cell line is able to lyse target cells without antigen presentation or interaction with antigen presenting cells. Therefore, these cells were classified as genetically instable non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cells with large granular lymphocyte morphology.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Cat Diseases/genetics
- Cat Diseases/immunology
- Cats/genetics
- Cats/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Female
- Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
- Genes, p53
- Genomic Instability
- Immunophenotyping
- Leukemia Virus, Feline/isolation & purification
- Lymphoma/genetics
- Lymphoma/immunology
- Lymphoma/veterinary
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/ultrastructure
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Rydzewski
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig Universtity Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Svenja Scheffold
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig Universtity Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Werner Hecht
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig Universtity Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Eberhard Burkhardt
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig Universtity Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kerner
- Institute of Infectious Disease of Animals, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 85-89, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Michele C Klymiuk
- Veterinary Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology Justus-Liebig Universtity Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 106, 35392 Giessen,Germany
| | - Renate Deinzer
- Institute for Medical Psychology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 36, Giessen, Germany
| | - Manfred Reinacher
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig Universtity Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Manfred Henrich
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig Universtity Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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10
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Clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical and molecular characterization of feline chronic gingivostomatitis. J Feline Med Surg 2017; 19:NP1. [PMID: 26965677 DOI: 10.1177/1098612X16639004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Veronica Machado Rolim, Saulo Petinatti Pavarini, Fabrício Souza Campos, Viviam Pignone, Cláudia Faraco, Marcelo de Souza Muccillo, Paulo Michel Roehe, Fernanda Viera Amorim da Costa, and David Driemeier J Feline Med Surg. Epub ahead of print 8 February 2016. DOI: 10.1177/1098612X16628578.
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11
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Krengel A, Cattori V, Meli ML, Wachter B, Böni J, Bisset LR, Thalwitzer S, Melzheimer J, Jago M, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Hofer H, Lutz H. Gammaretrovirus-specific antibodies in free-ranging and captive Namibian cheetahs. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2015; 22:611-7. [PMID: 25809630 PMCID: PMC4446404 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00705-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The cheetah population in Namibia is the largest free-ranging population in the world and a key population for research regarding the health status of this species. We used serological methods and quantitative real-time PCR to test free-ranging and captive Namibian cheetahs for the presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a gammaretrovirus that can be highly aggressive in populations with low genetic diversity, such as cheetahs. We also assessed the presence of antibodies to other gammaretroviruses and the responses to a FeLV vaccine developed for domestic cats. Up to 19% of the free-ranging cheetahs, 27% of the captive nonvaccinated cheetahs, and 86% of the captive vaccinated cheetahs tested positive for FeLV antibodies. FeLV-antibody-positive free-ranging cheetahs also tested positive for Rauscher murine leukemia virus antibodies. Nevertheless, FeLV was not detectable by quantitative real-time PCR and no reverse transcriptase activity was detectable by product-enhanced reverse transcriptase assay in the plasma of cheetahs or the supernatants from cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The presence of antibodies to gammaretroviruses in clinically healthy specimens may be caused either by infection with a low-pathogenic retrovirus or by the expression of endogenous retroviral sequences. The strong humoral immune responses to FeLV vaccination demonstrate that cheetahs can respond to the vaccine and that vaccination against FeLV infection may be beneficial should FeLV infection ever become a threat, as was seen in Iberian lynx and Florida panthers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Krengel
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valentino Cattori
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bettina Wachter
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürg Böni
- Swiss National Center for Retroviruses, Institute for Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leslie R Bisset
- Swiss National Center for Retroviruses, Institute for Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Jörg Melzheimer
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark Jago
- The AfriCat Foundation, Otjiwarongo, Namibia
| | | | - Heribert Hofer
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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13
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Jarrett WF, Mackey LJ, Jarrett O, Laird HM. Feline leukaemia virus infection--the spectrum of associated disease and its relevance to the pathogenesis and immunology of leukaemia. Bibl Haematol 2015; 39:93-101. [PMID: 4360200 DOI: 10.1159/000427804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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14
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Hardy WD, Hess PW, Essex M, Cotter S, McClelland AJ, MacEwen G. Horizontal transmission of feline leukemia virus in cats. Bibl Haematol 2015:67-74. [PMID: 169834 DOI: 10.1159/000397519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, cancer has not been considered an infectious disease although some multiple cases of leukemia in man and cattle have been reported. The discovery that feline lymphosarcoma was associated with an RNA virus (feline leukemia virus(FeLV)) meant that infectious transmission of the disease was a possibility. The critical question was whether the predominant method of transmission from one animal to another was 'vertical' (via the gametes) or 'horizontal' (via contagion or infection). A number of epidemiological studies have shown that the chances of healthy cats contracting lymphosarcoma are greatly increased when a cat with the disease lives in close proximity. It does not matter whether the healthy cats are related to the sick animal or not. It has also been established that viremic normal cats have an approximately 900 times greater chance of developing leukemia than cats whose FeLV status is unknown. Infectious FeLV is present in the excretions and blood of viremic animals. In the natural environment, feline lymphosarcoma occurs in clusters. The results in pet cats have been supported by experiments with cat colonies under controlled conditions and prove that horizontal transmission of FeLV occurs. This does not mean that epigenetic (infection in utero or via the milk) or vertical transmission cannot also occur. It should be possible to break the cycle of horizontal transmission of the virus by vaccination and thus control FeLV-related diseases.
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15
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O'Connor TE, Fischinger PJ. Physical alterations of a murine leukemia virus complex in mammalian cell cultures. Bibl Haematol 2015:250-6. [PMID: 4142388 DOI: 10.1159/000391715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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16
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Deinhardt F. Induction of tumors in marmoset monkeys with ST-feline fibrosarcoma virus. Bibl Haematol 2015:401-2. [PMID: 4376376 DOI: 10.1159/000391732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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17
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Sarma PS, Baskar JF, Huebner RJ, Old LJ, Hardy WD. Feline leukemia virus: detection of group-specific viral antigen and infectious virus by a complement-fixation test. Bibl Haematol 2015:368-78. [PMID: 4376372 DOI: 10.1159/000391728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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18
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Kawakami TG, Moore AL, Theilen GH, Munn RJ. Comparisons of virus-like particles from leukotic cattle to feline leukosis virus. Bibl Haematol 2015:471-5. [PMID: 4376380 DOI: 10.1159/000391741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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19
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20
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Tekelioglu BK, Berriatua E, Turan N, Helps CR, Kocak M, Yilmaz H. A retrospective clinical and epidemiological study on feline coronavirus (FCoV) in cats in Istanbul, Turkey. Prev Vet Med 2015; 119:41-7. [PMID: 25687627 PMCID: PMC7132365 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The presence of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), together with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen was investigated in 169 ill household and stray cats attending a veterinary surgery in Istanbul in 2009-14. The estimated FCoV and FIV seroprevalence (95% confidence intervals) were 37% (30-45%) and 11% (6-16%), respectively and FeLV prevalence was 1% (0-3%). FCoV seroprevalence increased until 2 years of age, was highest in 2014 and among household cats living with other cats and with outdoor access, and was lower in FIV seropositive compared to seronegative cats. Symptoms typically associated with wet feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) including ascites, abdominal distention or pleural effusion, coupled in many cases with non-antibiotic responsive fever, were observed in 19% (32/169) of cats, and 75% (24/32) of these cats were FCoV seropositive. FCoV seropositivity was also associated with a high white blood cell count, high plasma globulin, low plasma albumin and low blood urea nitrogen. The percentage of FCoV seropositive and seronegative cats that died in spite of supportive veterinary treatment was 33% (21/63) and 12% (13/106), respectively. These results indicate that FCoV is widespread and has a severe clinical impact in cats from Istanbul. Moreover, the incidence of FCoV infections could be rising, and in the absence of effective vaccination cat owners need to be made aware of ways to minimize the spread of this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Berriatua
- Animal Health Department, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - N Turan
- University of Istanbul, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Virology, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - C R Helps
- University of Bristol, Langford Veterinary Services, Churchill Building, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, UK
| | - M Kocak
- Macka Veterinary Clinic, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - H Yilmaz
- University of Istanbul, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Virology, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
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21
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Banfield finds increase in FIV, borreliosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014; 244:1236. [PMID: 24968455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
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22
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De Bosschere H, Vander Stichele V. [Essential thrombocythemia in a cat, associated with feline leukemia virus]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 2014; 139:24-28. [PMID: 24909033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
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23
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Sukhumavasi W, Bellosa ML, Lucio-Forster A, Liotta JL, Lee ACY, Pornmingmas P, Chungpivat S, Mohammed HO, Lorentzen L, Dubey JP, Bowman DD. Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) infections in pet cats in Bangkok and vicinities, Thailand. Vet Parasitol 2012; 188:25-30. [PMID: 22497870 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2011] [Revised: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections was examined using serum or plasma samples from 746 pet cats collected between May and July 2009 from clinics and hospitals located in and around Bangkok, Thailand. The samples were tested for heartworm, FIV, and FeLV using a commercial ELISA. Of the 746 samples, 4.6% (34/746) were positive for heartworm antigen, 24.5% (183/746) had circulating FeLV antigen, and 20.1% (150/746) had antibodies against FIV. In addition, the first 348 submitted samples were tested for T. gondii antibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT, cut off 1:25); 10.1% (35/348) were seropositive. Of the 348 cats sampled for all four pathogens, 11, 10, and 1 were positive for T. gondii antibodies and FIV antibodies, FeLV antigen, or D. immitis antigen, respectively. Of the 35 T. gondii-seropositive cats, 42.9% (15/35) were co-infected with at least one of the other three pathogens. The presence of antibodies to FIV was significantly associated with both age and gender, while FeLV antigen presence was only associated with age. In the case of FIV, males were twice as likely to be infected as females, and cats over 10 years of age were 13.5 times more likely to be infected than cats less than 1 year of age. FeLV antigen was more common in younger cats, with cats over 10 years of age being 10 times less likely to be FeLV positive than cats under 1 year of age. This is the first survey for these four pathogens affecting feline health in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woraporn Sukhumavasi
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Henri-Dunant Rd., Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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24
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Tejerizo G, Doménech A, Illera JC, Silván G, Gómez-Lucía E. Altered plasma concentrations of sex hormones in cats infected by feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia virus. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2012; 42:113-20. [PMID: 22177694 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2011.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Revised: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Gender differences may affect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in humans and may be related to fluctuations in sex hormone concentration. The different percentage of male and female cats observed to be infected by feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) has been traditionally explained through the transmission mechanisms of both viruses. However, sexual hormones may also play a role in this different distribution. To study this possibility, 17β-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations were analyzed using a competitive enzyme immunoassay in the plasma of 258 cats naturally infected by FIV (FIV(+)), FeLV (FeLV(+)), or FeLV and FIV (F(-)F(+)) or negative for both viruses, including both sick and clinically healthy animals. Results indicated that the concentrations of 17β-estradiol and testosterone were significantly higher in animals infected with FIV or FeLV (P < 0.05) than in negative cats. Plasma concentrations of DHEA in cats infected by either retrovirus were lower than in negative animals (P < 0.05), and F(-)F(+) cats had significantly lower plasma values than monoinfected cats (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in the plasma concentration of progesterone of the four groups. No relevant differences were detected in the hormone concentrations between animal genders, except that FIV(+) females had higher DHEA concentrations than the corresponding males (P < 0.05). In addition, no differences were observed in the hormone concentrations between retrovirus-infected and noninfected animals with and without clinical signs. These results suggest that FIV and FeLV infections are associated with an important deregulation of steroids, possibly from early in the infection process, which might have decisive consequences for disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Tejerizo
- Department of Animal Health, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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25
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Beatty JA, Tasker S, Jarrett O, Lam A, Gibson S, Noe-Nordberg A, Phillips A, Fawcett A, Barrs VR. Markers of Feline Leukaemia Virus Infection or Exposure in Cats from a Region of Low Seroprevalence. J Feline Med Surg 2011; 13:927-33. [PMID: 21880527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2011.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Revised: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Beatty
- Valentine Charlton Cat Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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26
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Bolin LL, Levy LS. Viral determinants of FeLV infection and pathogenesis: lessons learned from analysis of a natural cohort. Viruses 2011; 3:1681-98. [PMID: 21994802 PMCID: PMC3187695 DOI: 10.3390/v3091681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed analysis has been performed over many years of a geographic and temporal cohort of cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Molecular analysis of FeLV present in the diseased tissues and application of those viruses to experimental systems has revealed unique isolates with distinctive disease potential, previously uncharacterized virus-receptor interactions, information about the role of recombinant viruses in disease induction, and novel viral and cellular oncogenes implicated in pathogenesis, among other findings. The studies have contributed to an understanding of the selective forces that lead to predominance of distinctive FeLV isolates and disease outcomes in a natural population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa L. Bolin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue SL-38, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; E-Mail:
- Tulane Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue SL-38, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Laura S. Levy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue SL-38, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; E-Mail:
- Tulane Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue SL-38, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-504-988-3291; Fax: +1-504-988-2951
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27
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Stojanovic V, Foley P. Infectious disease prevalence in a feral cat population on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Can Vet J 2011; 52:979-982. [PMID: 22379197 PMCID: PMC3157072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Ninety-six feral cats from Prince Edward Island were used to determine the prevalence of selected infectious agents. The prevalence rates were 5.2% for feline immunodeficiency virus, 3.1% for feline leukemia virus, 3.1% for Mycoplasma haemofelis, 8.4% for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, 2.1% for Bartonella spp. and 29.8% for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Oocysts of T. gondii were detected in 1.3% of the fecal samples that were collected. Gender and retroviral status of the cats were significantly correlated with hemoplasma infections. Use of a flea comb showed that 9.6% of the cats had fleas; however, flea infestation was not associated with any of the infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Foley
- Address all correspondence to Dr. Peter Foley; e-mail:
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28
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Hellard E, Fouchet D, Santin-Janin H, Tarin B, Badol V, Coupier C, Leblanc G, Poulet H, Pontier D. When cats' ways of life interact with their viruses: a study in 15 natural populations of owned and unowned cats (Felis silvestris catus). Prev Vet Med 2011; 101:250-64. [PMID: 21705099 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Revised: 04/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In natural populations, virus circulation is influenced by host behavior and physiological characteristics. Cat populations exhibit a great variability in social and spatial structure, the existence of different ways of life within a same population may also result in different epidemiological patterns. To test this hypothesis, we used a logistic regression to analyze the risk factors of Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline herpes virus (FHV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline parvovirus (FPV) infection in owned (fed and sheltered) and unowned (neither fed nor sheltered, unsocialized) cats living in a rural environment in the North Eastern part of France. A serological survey was carried out in 492 non-vaccinated and non-sterilized individuals from 15 populations living in the same area. The prevalence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was also studied, but too few were infected to analyze the risk factors of this virus. For each virus, the epidemiological pattern was different in owned and unowned cats. Unowned cats were more frequently infected by directly transmitted viruses like FIV, FHV and FCV (21.22%, 67.66%, 86.52% in unowned cats vs 9.55%, 53.88%, 77.18% in owned cats, respectively), a difference that may be explained by a more solitary and more aggressive behavior in unowned adults, and/or possibly by a higher sensitivity related to a more stressful life. On the contrary, owned cats were more frequently infected with FPV (36.41% in owned cats vs 15.61% in unowned cats), possibly as a result of their concentration around human settlements. The present study showed that owned and unowned cats living in a same area have behavioral and physiological characteristics sufficiently different to influence virus circulation. Pooling different types of cats in a single sample without taking it into account could give a wrong picture of the epidemiology of their viruses. The conclusion of this work can be extended to any epidemiological studies led in wildlife species with flexible behavior as any variations in social or spatial structure, between or within populations, could result in different virus circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hellard
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France.
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29
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Belgard S, Truyen U, Thibault JC, Sauter-Louis C, Hartmann K. Relevance of feline calicivirus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, feline herpesvirus and Bartonella henselae in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2010; 123:369-376. [PMID: 21038808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Despite its common occurrence, the aetiology of chronic gingivostomatitis in cats remains uncertain. Aetiology is likely multifactorial, and several infectious agents may be associated with chronic gingivostomatitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of feline calicivirus (FCV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline herpesvirus (FHV), and Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis and in an age-matched control group. In addition, other factors, e. g., environmental conditions were investigated. In 52 cats with chronic gingivostomatitis and 50 healthy age-matched control cats, the presence of FCV ribonucleic acid (RNA), and FHV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] from oropharyngeal swabs), and B. henselae DNA (PCR from oropharyngeal swabs and blood), as well as FeLV antigen (serum), and antibodies against FCV, B. henselae, and FIV (serum) were examined. FCV RNA was significantly more common in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis (53.8%, p < 0.001) than in controls (14.0%); a significant difference was also found in the prevalence of antibodies to FCV between the cats with chronic gingivostomatitis (78.8%, p = 0.023) and controls (58.0%). Of the other infectious agents investigated, there was no significant difference in the prevalence between the cats with chronic gingivostomatitis and the controls. The results of this study allow the conclusion that FCV, but no other infectious agents, is commonly associated with chronic gingivostomatitis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Belgard
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
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Vobis M, D'Haese J, Mehlhorn H, Mencke N. Experimental quantification of the feline leukaemia virus in the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and its faeces. Parasitol Res 2009; 97 Suppl 1:S102-S106. [PMID: 16228264 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1452-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) were fed via artificial membranes and infected with the feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) from cell cultures. After removing the fleas from the blood source, the quantity of virus in the flea and its faeces was measured over a defined period of time. The virus was detectable in the fleas for up to 30 h at room temperature and up to 115 h at 4 degrees C. In the faeces, the amount of virus decreased much more slowly--after 2 weeks half of the initial amount of virus could still be detected. Thus the faeces might be a source of further infections, e.g. for the flea larvae or the cat itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vobis
- Institute for Zoomorphoiogy, Cell Biology and Parasitology, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J D'Haese
- Institute for Zoomorphoiogy, Cell Biology and Parasitology, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - H Mehlhorn
- Institute for Zoomorphoiogy, Cell Biology and Parasitology, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - N Mencke
- Bayer HealthCare AG, Animal Health Division, 51368, Leverkusen, Germany
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Meli ML, Cattori V, Martínez F, López G, Vargas A, Simón MA, Zorrilla I, Muñoz A, Palomares F, López-Bao JV, Pastor J, Tandon R, Willi B, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lutz H. Feline leukemia virus and other pathogens as important threats to the survival of the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). PLoS One 2009; 4:e4744. [PMID: 19270739 PMCID: PMC2649436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2008] [Accepted: 01/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is considered the most endangered felid species in the world. In order to save this species, the Spanish authorities implemented a captive breeding program recruiting lynxes from the wild. In this context, a retrospective survey on prevalence of selected feline pathogens in free-ranging lynxes was initiated. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We systematically analyzed the prevalence and importance of seven viral, one protozoan (Cytauxzoon felis), and several bacterial (e.g., hemotropic mycoplasma) infections in 77 of approximately 200 remaining free-ranging Iberian lynxes of the Doñana and Sierra Morena areas, in Southern Spain, between 2003 and 2007. With the exception of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), evidence of infection by all tested feline pathogens was found in Iberian lynxes. Fourteen lynxes were feline leukemia virus (FeLV) provirus-positive; eleven of these were antigenemic (FeLV p27 positive). All 14 animals tested negative for other viral infections. During a six-month period in 2007, six of the provirus-positive antigenemic lynxes died. Infection with FeLV but not with other infectious agents was associated with mortality (p<0.001). Sequencing of the FeLV surface glycoprotein gene revealed a common origin for ten of the eleven samples. The ten sequences were closely related to FeLV-A/61E, originally isolated from cats in the USA. Endogenous FeLV sequences were not detected. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE It was concluded that the FeLV infection most likely originated from domestic cats invading the lynx's habitats. Data available regarding the time frame, co-infections, and outcome of FeLV-infections suggest that, in contrast to the domestic cat, the FeLV strain affecting the lynxes in 2007 is highly virulent to this species. Our data argue strongly for vaccination of lynxes and domestic cats in and around lynx's habitats in order to prevent further spread of the virus as well as reduction the domestic cat population if the lynx population is to be maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Quimby JM, Elston T, Hawley J, Brewer M, Miller A, Lappin MR. Evaluation of the association of Bartonella species, feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus with chronic feline gingivostomatitis. J Feline Med Surg 2008; 10:66-72. [PMID: 17766156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2007.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Gingivostomatitis (GS) is a significant condition in cats because of oral discomfort and associated periodontal disease. Several infectious agents have been associated with the presence of GS, but a causal relationship is unclear. The cats in this study were housed together, had a history of flea exposure, and were vaccinated with a modified live FVRCP product. There were nine cats with active GS and 36 unaffected cats at the time of sample collection. Serum was tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen and antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), and Bartonella species (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot immunoassay). PCR assays for Bartonella species and FHV-1 and a reverse transcriptase PCR assay for FCV were performed on blood and throat swabs. All cats were negative for FeLV. Assay results failed to correlate to the presence of GS in the group of cats studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Quimby
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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Arnoczky SP, Swenson C, Egerbacher M, Gardner K, Caballero O, Burns M. The location in cartilage of infectious retrovirus in cats infected with feline leukemia virus. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007; 89:2030-6. [PMID: 17768202 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.g.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that articular cartilage allografts were not likely to transmit infectious retrovirus since viral DNA could not be isolated from chondrocytes of infected individuals. However, the ability of the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage to harbor and transmit a retrovirus has not been examined. We hypothesized that articular cartilage fragments, but not isolated chondrocytes, from cats systemically infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are capable of transmitting infectious retrovirus. METHODS Fresh cartilage segments and chondrocytes isolated from cats systemically infected with feline leukemia virus were used in this study. Feline embryonic fibroblast cells were cocultured with segments of cartilage, isolated chondrocytes, or fragments of cortical bone from each infected cat. The FeLV p27 antigen was measured in the coculture media by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, FeLV proviral nucleic acids were quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction with use of DNA extracted from feline embryonic fibroblast cell cocultures as well as isolated chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess for FeLV p27 antigen in both intact cartilage fragments and isolated chondrocytes. RESULTS Feline embryonic fibroblast cells cocultured with cartilage fragments from each of the five FeLV-infected cats all demonstrated high levels of proviral DNA, indicating transmission of infective virus. In addition, media from all cocultures of feline embryonic fibroblast cells and chondral fragments became positive for p27 antigen, indicating active viral replication. In contrast, cocultures of feline embryonic fibroblast cells and isolated chondrocytes from all FeLV-infected cats were negative for proviral DNA and p27 antigen. Likewise, no proviral nucleic acids could be detected in isolated chondrocytes from any infected cats. Cocultures of feline embryonic fibroblast cells with cortical bone fragments were positive for proviral DNA and p27 antigen. Immunohistochemical staining of cartilage fragments from FeLV-infected cats demonstrated the presence of p27 antigen throughout the extracellular matrix, but the p27 antigen was not detected in isolated chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS Articular cartilage fragments can readily transmit infectious retrovirus, but isolated chondrocytes were likely not the source of the infectious virus because they did not harbor proviral DNA or p27 antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven P Arnoczky
- Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research and Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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Pepin AC, Tandon R, Cattori V, Niederer E, Riond B, Willi B, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Cellular segregation of feline leukemia provirus and viral RNA in leukocyte subsets of long-term experimentally infected cats. Virus Res 2007; 127:9-16. [PMID: 17434224 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2007.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2006] [Revised: 03/02/2007] [Accepted: 03/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cats exposed to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) may develop different outcomes of the infection. However, during acute infection blood proviral and viral RNA loads of cats with progressive and regressive infection are not significantly different. Thus, not the overall loads but rather those of specific leukocyte subsets may influence the infection outcome. By combining fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) with sensitive real-time TaqMan PCR and reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR, we established in the present study the methods to determine FeLV proviral and viral RNA loads in specific leukocyte subsets. In addition, they were applied to analyze long-term persistently FeLV-infected (p27-positive) and FeLV exposed but nonantigenemic (p27-negative), nonviremic cats. In the latter animals, CD4(+) and B lymphocytes exhibited the highest proviral loads, whereas in p27-positive cats, all leukocyte subsets showed similar high loads. In p27-positive cats, monocytes and granulocytes bore the highest viral RNA loads, whereas only one p27-negative cat was positive for viral RNA in T lymphocytes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate FeLV proviral and viral RNA loads in leukocyte subsets of FeLV exposed cats. The herein described methods are important prerequisites to gain a deeper insight into the pathogenesis of FeLV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Pepin
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Screening tests for feline retroviruses are thought to have high sensitivity and specificity, although previous studies that evaluated these tests have limitations. Novel statistical approaches have been developed that allow the estimation of sensitivity and specificity in situations where the true state of the disease in individual animals cannot be assured. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a variety of retrovirus tests, including some screening tests, in a population of cats potentially infected with either feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) by using a Bayesian statistical approach. METHODS Four hundred and ninety blood samples from cats being evaluated for FIV infection were tested by 2 rapid immunomigration tests (Witness single [WS], Witness combi [WC]) and a plate-based ELISA (Petcheck) for FIV antibody, and by a newly designed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for FIV provirus. Four hundred and ninety-five blood samples from cats being evaluated for FeLV infection were tested by 2 rapid immunomigration tests (WS, WC) and a plate-based ELISA (Petcheck) for FeLV antigen, and by a FeLV virus isolation technique. Results were then analyzed by using a Bayesian statistical method. RESULTS For FIV tests, median sensitivity estimates were 0.98 for WS, 0.97 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.92 for PCR. Median specificity estimates were 0.96 for WS, 0.96 for WC, 0.93 for ELISA, and 0.99 for PCR. For FeLV tests, median sensitivity estimates were 0.97 for WS, 0.97 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.91 for virus isolation. Median specificity estimates were 0.96 for WS, 0.96 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.99 for virus isolation. CONCLUSIONS The use of Bayesian statistical methods overcomes a variety of methodologic problems associated with diagnostic test evaluations, including the lack of a definitive reference test. The sensitivity and the specificity of all 6 evaluated screening tests was high: however, specificity estimates were slightly lower than those reported by most recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D G Pinches
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK.
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Gomes-Keller MA, Gönczi E, Tandon R, Riondato F, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Meli ML, Lutz H. Detection of feline leukemia virus RNA in saliva from naturally infected cats and correlation of PCR results with those of current diagnostic methods. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:916-22. [PMID: 16517876 PMCID: PMC1393115 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.44.3.916-922.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel diagnostic test for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) RNA in saliva from naturally infected cats is described in this study. We evaluated different diagnostic tests and compared them with the widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of p27 in the diagnosis of FeLV. Blood samples from 445 cats were tested for the presence of provirus by real-time PCR and plasma and saliva specimens from those cats were tested for the presence of viral RNA by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and for the presence of p27 by ELISA. In comparison to conventional ELISA, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the detection of salivary FeLV RNA by real-time RT-PCR were found to be 98.1 and 99.2%, respectively. Detection of viral RNA in saliva had a positive predictive value of 94.6% and a negative predictive value of 99.7%. The kappa value was 0.96, demonstrating an almost perfect agreement between both tests. Furthermore, we confirmed previous results showing that a number of cats which tested negative for the presence of p27 in plasma were in fact positive for the presence of DNA provirus in blood specimens (5.4%). However, 96.4% of these latently infected cats did not shed viral RNA in saliva; therefore, we assume that these cats are of relatively low clinical importance at the time of testing. This study shows considerable diagnostic value of the detection of saliva FeLV RNA in naturally infected cats. This new diagnostic method has advantages over the conventional ELISA, such as less invasive sample collection and no requirement for trained personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Gomes-Keller
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Two cases of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)-associated dermatosis are described. The first cat was affected by an ulcerative dermatitis identified as a giant-cell dermatosis. The second case was a cutaneous lymphoma. In both cases, FeLV antigens and FeLV genome were demonstrated in the affected skin immunologically and with polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The first case suggests that, like other retroviruses, at least some strains of FeLV can induce syncytium formation. As FeLV antigens and genome were demonstrated in a serologically negative cat, the second case suggests that focal skin FeLV replication may occur. FeLV-associated dermatoses are rare skin conditions that may be under-diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Favrot
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Dermatology Unit, Universit of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Gomes-Keller MA, Tandon R, Gönczi E, Meli ML, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lutz H. Shedding of feline leukemia virus RNA in saliva is a consistent feature in viremic cats. Vet Microbiol 2005; 112:11-21. [PMID: 16303261 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2005] [Revised: 10/10/2005] [Accepted: 10/13/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the shedding pattern of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) RNA in saliva, and to correlate it with the proviral load in whole blood, viral load in plasma, levels of p27 in saliva and plasma, the isolation of infectious FeLV from saliva, and the titers of FeLV-specific antibodies of the IgG and IgA isotypes. We evaluated 24 experimentally FeLV-infected cats for these parameters using real-time RT-PCR and PCR, cell culture assay and sandwich ELISA. We observed that shedding of viral RNA in saliva was a consistent feature in viremic cats. Latently FeLV-infected cats, displaying a very low proviral load, did not shed infectious virus in saliva, but occasionally shed viral RNA. Consequently, salivary shedding of FeLV RNA may not necessarily indicate a transmission potential for susceptible cats. This study also confirmed previous results from our laboratory, showing that a negative result for p27 in plasma, or for viral RNA in plasma or saliva does not exclude FeLV infection, considering that blood cells from those cats contained provirus. We also showed that FeLV RNA and DNA were stable for more than 64 days in saliva samples stored at room temperature. We conclude that the detection of FeLV RNA in saliva may be a useful indicator of viremia, and that the detection of salivary viral RNA by RT-PCR could become a reliable tool for the diagnosis of FeLV infection, which is facilitated by the low invasive method of collection of the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Gomes-Keller
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Tandon R, Cattori V, Gomes-Keller MA, Meli ML, Golder MC, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Quantitation of feline leukaemia virus viral and proviral loads by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. J Virol Methods 2005; 130:124-32. [PMID: 16054243 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2005.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2005] [Revised: 06/16/2005] [Accepted: 06/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection in cats is not only of veterinary importance but also a well-acknowledged animal model for studying the pathogenesis of retroviral disease. After virus exposure, different courses and outcomes of FeLV infection may prevail; they have been associated with cellular and humoral immune responses and the FeLV proviral load in peripheral blood. We hypothesized that the plasma viral RNA load might be an additional relevant indicator for the infection outcome. To quantify these loads, a real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed. The assay amplifies FeLV-A, -B, and -C as some naturally infected cats could not be identified with a FeLV-A-based assay previously. The assay was applied to determine plasma FeLV RNA loads in cats infected both naturally and experimentally with FeLV. In addition, an improved real-time PCR assay for quantitation of FeLV proviral loads is described. The assays developed were more sensitive than ELISA and virus isolation in the early phase of infection. In addition, PCR allows the identification of provirus carriers that have overcome antigenaemia. Thus, for most effective detection of FeLV exposure and characterization of the infection in a cat, PCR assays are recommended as diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Tandon
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
The number, chromosomal distribution, and insertional polymorphisms of endogenous feline leukemia viruses (enFeLVs) were determined in four domestic cats (Burmese, Egyptian Mau, Persian, and nonbreed) using fluorescent in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid mapping. Twenty-nine distinct enFeLV loci were detected across 12 of the 18 autosomes. Each cat carried enFeLV at only 9 to 16 of the loci, and many loci were heterozygous for presence of the provirus. Thus, an average of 19 autosomal copies of enFeLV were present per cat diploid genome. Only five of the autosomal enFeLV sites were present in all four cats, and at only one autosomal locus, B4q15, was enFeLV present in both homologues of all four cats. A single enFeLV occurred in the X chromosome of the Burmese cat, while three to five enFeLV proviruses occurred in each Y chromosome. The X chromosome and nine autosomal enFeLV loci were telomeric, suggesting that ectopic recombination between nonhomologous subtelomeres may contribute to enFeLV distribution. Since endogenous FeLVs may affect the infectiousness or pathogenicity of exogenous FeLVs, genomic variation in enFeLVs represents a candidate for genetic influences on FeLV leukemogenesis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred L Roca
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Basic Research Program, SAIC-Frederick, Maryland, USA.
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Luria BJ, Levy JK, Lappin MR, Breitschwerdt EB, Legendre AM, Hernandez JA, Gorman SP, Lee IT. Prevalence of infectious diseases in feral cats in Northern Florida. J Feline Med Surg 2004; 6:287-96. [PMID: 15363760 PMCID: PMC7128492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2003.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 11/17/2003] [Accepted: 11/20/2003] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objectives of this study were to determine prevalence of infection in feral cats in Northern Florida with a select group of infectious organisms and to determine risk factors for infection. Blood samples or sera from 553 cats were tested with a panel of antibody, antigen or PCR assays. Male cats were at higher risk for FIV, Mycoplasma haemofelis, and M. haemominutum. Infection with either FeLV or FIV was associated with increased risk for coinfection with the other retrovirus, M. haemofelis, or M. haemominutum. Bartonella henselae had the highest prevalence and was the only organism that did not have any associated risk for coinfection with other organisms. Feral cats in this study had similar or lower prevalence rates of infections than those published for pet cats in the United States. Thus, feral cats assessed in this study appear to be of no greater risk to human beings or other cats than pet cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Luria
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 S.W. 16th Avenue, Box 100126, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Julie K. Levy
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 S.W. 16th Avenue, Box 100126, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Michael R. Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Edward B. Breitschwerdt
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Alfred M. Legendre
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Jorge A. Hernandez
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Shawn P. Gorman
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 S.W. 16th Avenue, Box 100126, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Irene T. Lee
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 S.W. 16th Avenue, Box 100126, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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de Mari K, Maynard L, Sanquer A, Lebreux B, Eun HM. Therapeutic effects of recombinant feline interferon-omega on feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-infected and FeLV/feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-coinfected symptomatic cats. J Vet Intern Med 2004; 18:477-82. [PMID: 15320583 DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2004)18<477:teorfi>2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical efficacy of a recombinant feline interferon, rFeIFN-omega, was evaluated for the treatment of cats presented with clinical signs associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection and FeLV/feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) coinfection in the field. In this multicentric, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 81 cats meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly placed into 2 groups and treated subcutaneously with rFelFN-omega (1 million [M]U/kg per day) or placebo once daily for 5 consecutive days in 3 series (day 0, 14, 60). The cats were monitored for up to 1 year for clinical signs and mortality. During the initial 4-month period, interferon (IFN)-treated cats (n = 39) had significantly reduced clinical scores compared with placebo (n = 42), with all cats having received concomitant supportive therapies. Compared with the control, the IFN-treated group showed significantly lower rates of mortality: 39% versus 59% (1.7-fold higher risk of death for controls) at the 9-month time point and 47% versus 59% (1.4-fold higher risk of death for controls) at the 12-month time point. The IFN treatment was associated with minor but consistent improvement in abnormal hematologic parameters (red blood cell count, packed cell volume, and white blood cell count), apparently underlying the positive effects of IFN on clinical parameters. These data demonstrate that rFeIFN-omega initially has statistically significant therapeutic effects on clinical signs and later on survival of cats with clinical signs associated with FeLV infection and FeLV/FIV coinfection.
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Abstract
We isolated and sequenced two complete endogenous feline leukemia viruses (enFeLVs), designated enFeLV-AGTT and enFeLV-GGAG. In enFeLV-AGTT, the open reading frames are reminiscent of a functioning FeLV genome, and the 5' and 3' long terminal repeat sequences are identical. Neither endogenous provirus is genetically fixed in cats but polymorphic, with 8.9 and 15.2% prevalence for enFeLV-AGTT and enFeLV-GGAG, respectively, among a survey of domestic cats. Neither provirus was found in the genomes of related species of the Felis genus, previously shown to harbor enFeLVs. The absence of mutational divergence, polymorphic incidence in cats, and absence in related species suggest that these enFeLVs may have entered the germ line more recently than previously believed, perhaps coincident with domestication, and reopens the question of whether some enFeLVs might be replication competent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred L Roca
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Basic Research Program, SAIC-Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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Soma T, Ishii H. Detection of feline coronavirus antibody, feline immunodeficiency virus antibody, and feline leukemia virus antigen in ascites from cats with effusive feline infectious peritonitis. J Vet Med Sci 2004; 66:89-90. [PMID: 14960820 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.66.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the usefulness of ascites as a material for viral tests in cats with effusive feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), we attempted to detect anti-feline coronavirus antibody, anti-feline immunodeficiency virus antibody, and feline leukemia virus antigen in ascites from 88 cats clinically suspected with effusive FIP. In each of these three viral tests, all cats positive for serum antibody/antigen were also positive for ascitic antibody/antigen, while cats negative for serum antibody/antigen were also negative for ascitic antibody/antigen. This finding indicates that ascites is useful for these viral tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehisa Soma
- Marupi Lifetech Co. Ltd., 103 Fushiocho, Ikeda, Osaka 563-0011, Japan
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45
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Marker L, Munson L, Basson PA, Quackenbush S. Multicentric T-cell lymphoma associated with feline leukemia virus infection in a captive namibian cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). J Wildl Dis 2004; 39:690-5. [PMID: 14567232 DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-39.3.690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This case report describes a multicentric lymphoma in a 4 yr old female wildborn captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Namibia after being housed in an enclosure adjacent to a feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infected cheetah that had previously been in contact with domestic cats. The year prior to the onset of clinical signs, the wild-born cheetah was FeLV antigen negative. The cheetah subsequently developed lymphoma, was found to be infected with FeLV, and then rapidly deteriorated and died. At necropsy, the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and multiple other organs were extensively infiltrated with neoplastic T-lymphocytes. Feline leukemia virus DNA was identified in neoplastic lymphocytes from multiple organs by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. Although the outcome of infection in this cheetah resembles that of FeLV infections in domestic cats, the transmission across an enclosure fence was unusual and may indicate a heightened susceptibility to infection in cheetahs. Caution should be exercised in holding and translocating cheetahs where contact could be made with FeLV-infected domestic, feral, or wild felids.
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MESH Headings
- Acinonyx
- Animals
- Animals, Zoo
- Cats
- DNA, Viral/analysis
- Disease Susceptibility/veterinary
- Fatal Outcome
- Female
- Leukemia Virus, Feline/genetics
- Leukemia Virus, Feline/immunology
- Leukemia Virus, Feline/isolation & purification
- Leukemia, Feline/complications
- Leukemia, Feline/transmission
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/diagnosis
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/veterinary
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/virology
- Namibia/epidemiology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary
- Tumor Virus Infections/diagnosis
- Tumor Virus Infections/pathology
- Tumor Virus Infections/veterinary
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46
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Miki R, Okuda M, Oikawa T, Watanabe M, Ma Z, Matsumoto K, Iwata H, Inokuma H. Centrosome Amplification and Chromosomal Instability in Feline Lymphoma Cell Lines. J Vet Med Sci 2004; 66:797-805. [PMID: 15297751 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.66.797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the presence of centrosome amplification and the resulting chromosomal instability in cat tumors, a newly established feline lymphoma cell line and four already established feline lymphoma cell lines were examined using immunohistochemical analysis of centrosomes. The number of chromosomes were subsequently counted by metaphase spread. Moreover, to explore whether mutational inactivation of the p53 gene or inactivation of the P53 protein caused by mdm2 gene overexpression, occurred in the feline lymphoma cell lines, mutational analysis of the feline p53 gene was carried out. The expression of feline mdm2 mRNA was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Centrosome amplification and chromosomal instability was observed in three out of the five feline lymphoma cell lines. Of these three feline lymphoma cell lines, one had aberrations in the P53 amino-acid sequence, whereas the others had none. There was no significant difference in the expression of mdm2 mRNA between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from a normal cat and that of the five feline lymphoma cell lines. These findings indicate that centrosome amplification also occurs in cat tumors and is strongly correlated with chromosomal instability, suggesting that the immunostaining of centrosomes could be an alternative method for the examination of the chromosomal instability. Furthermore, this study suggests the presence of unknown mechanism that leads to the centrosome amplification in feline lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuta Miki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Japan
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de Lorimier LP, Alexander SD, Fan TM. T-cell lymphoma of the tympanic bulla in a feline leukemia virus-negative cat. Can Vet J 2003; 44:987-9. [PMID: 14703086 PMCID: PMC340369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
This report constitutes the first description of a T-cell lymphoma of the tympanic bulla in a cat. This feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-negative cat originally presented with signs referable to middle ear disease; it deteriorated rapidly after definitive diagnosis. Lymphoma of the middle ear is extremely rare in all species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Philippe de Lorimier
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Illinois, 1008 West Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61802-4714, USA.
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48
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Schubach TMP, Schubach A, Okamoto T, Pellon IV, Fialho-Monteiro PC, Reis RS, Barros MBL, Andrade-Perez M, Wanke B. Haematogenous spread of Sporothrix schenckii in cats with naturally acquired sporotrichosis. J Small Anim Pract 2003; 44:395-8. [PMID: 14510328 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2003.tb00174.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The recovery of Sporothrix schenckii from blood samples is rare, and the diagnosis of systemic sporotrichosis is usually made at necropsy. In this report, S schenckii was isolated from two or more internal organs of nine necropsied cats with naturally acquired sporotrichosis. Haematogenous spread was demonstrated in vivo by the isolation of S schenckii from the peripheral blood of 17 (n = 49, 34.4 per cent) cats. Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) was not detected, and co-infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), observed in nine cases (n = 43, 20.9 per cent), apparently did not affect the isolation of S schenckii from peripheral blood or from the internal organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M P Schubach
- Zoonosis Service, Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Avenida Brasil 4365, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Vobis M, D'Haese J, Mehlhorn H, Mencke N. Evidence of horizontal transmission of feline leukemia virus by the cat flea ( Ctenocephalides felis). Parasitol Res 2003; 91:467-70. [PMID: 14557874 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-003-0949-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2003] [Accepted: 06/24/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a naturally occurring and widespread retrovirus among domestic cats. The virus is mainly transmitted horizontally through saliva, blood and other body fluids by close contact between cats. Vectors other than cats, e.g. blood-sucking parasites, have not been reported. This study tested the vector potential of the cat flea ( Ctenocephalides felis) for FeLV. In a first feeding, fleas were fed for 24 h with blood from a FeLV-infected cat with persistent viremia. FeLV could be detected in the fleas, as well as in their feces. Fleas were then divided in two populations and fed in a second feeding for 5 h or 24 h with non-infected non-viremic blood. FeLV was again detected in the fleas and their feces. In addition, the two resulting blood samples of the second feeding were subsequently tested for FeLV and both samples were positive for FeLV RNA. The cat flea transmitted the FeLV from one blood sample to another. In a third feeding, the same populations of fleas were fed again with non-infected blood for 5 h or 24 h. This time FeLV was not detected in the fleas, or in the feces or blood samples. Results show that cat fleas are potential vectors for FeLV RNA in vitro and probably also in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vobis
- Institute for Zoomorphology, Cell Biology and Parasitology, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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50
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vobis
- Institute for Zoomorphology, Cell Biology and Parasitology, Heinrich-Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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