Facts About Feline Leukemia Virus

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that affects domestic cats, leading to a range of health issues, including immunosuppression, anemia, and lymphoma. It is one of the most significant infectious diseases in cats, often resulting in severe illness and death.

Transmission

FeLV is primarily transmitted through close contact between cats, such as grooming, sharing food and water bowls, and bite wounds. The virus can also be spread from a mother cat to her kittens during birth or through her milk. Blood transfusions from FeLV-infected cats, even those that are antigen-negative but provirus-positive, can also transmit the virus to healthy cats5.

Pathogenesis

Once a cat is infected with FeLV, the virus replicates in the lymphoid tissues, bone marrow, and salivary glands. The infection can lead to persistent viremia, where the virus is continuously present in the blood, or it can become latent, hiding in the bone marrow and other tissues without causing immediate symptoms. Persistent viremia is associated with a higher risk of developing FeLV-related diseases4.

Clinical Signs

Cats infected with FeLV may exhibit a variety of clinical signs, including:

• Weight loss
• Poor coat condition
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Persistent fever
• Pale gums and other mucous membranes
• Infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and respiratory system
• Persistent diarrhea
• Seizures, behavior changes, and other neurological disorders

Diagnosis

FeLV infection is typically diagnosed using blood tests that detect FeLV antigens or proviral DNA. The p27 ELISA test is commonly used to detect FeLV antigens in the blood. However, some cats may test negative for antigens but positive for proviral DNA, indicating a latent infection5.

Vaccination

Vaccination is a key preventive measure against FeLV. Several vaccines are available, including inactivated and recombinant vaccines. Studies have shown that vaccinated cats have a significantly lower risk of developing persistent viremia and FeLV-related diseases compared to unvaccinated cats2 4 8. For instance, the Versifel FeLV vaccine has been shown to provide 89.5% protection against persistent antigenemia and 94.7% protection against FeLV proviral DNA integration in bone marrow cells4.

Immunogenicity and Efficacy

Vaccinated cats develop antibodies against FeLV, which help protect them from infection. In a study, vaccinated cats did not develop persistent viremia after being exposed to the virus, whereas all non-vaccinated cats did2. Another study demonstrated that vaccinated cats did not develop FeLV antigenemia even when housed with FeLV-infected cats, indicating a preventable fraction of 100%8.

Conclusion

Feline Leukemia Virus is a serious infectious disease in cats that can lead to severe health issues and death. Transmission occurs through close contact and blood transfusions. Diagnosis is primarily through blood tests, and vaccination is an effective preventive measure. Vaccinated cats show a significantly lower risk of developing FeLV-related diseases, highlighting the importance of vaccination in managing FeLV.

Disclaimer

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