Epidemiology and clinical outcomes of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in client-owned cats in New Zealand

Abstract

ObjectivesThe objectives were to collect baseline data on the occurrence, testing and vaccination practices, and clinical outcomes of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in New ZealandMethodsA cross-sectional survey of 423 veterinary practices in New Zealand was performed to collect data on FeLV and FIV testing and vaccination during the 2015 calendar year. Clinical records from 572 cats tested using a point-of-care ELISA at a first-opinion veterinary practice between 7 April 2010 and 23 June 2016 were also obtained and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify risk factors for test positivity. Survival times were estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods.ResultsThe survey was completed by 112 clinics (26.4%) of which 72 performed in-house testing. Of the 2125 tests performed, 56 (2.6%) were positive for FeLV and 393 (18.5%) were positive for FIV. Fewer than 1% of cats were vaccinated for FeLV, with veterinarians citing low perceived prevalence as the primary reason for not vaccinating. Being male compared with being female and having clinical evidence of immunosuppression were significant risk factors for both FeLV and FIV test positivity. The median survival times of FeLV and FIV test-positive cats were 10 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 0–16) and 650 days (95% CI 431–993), respectively.Conclusions and relevanceTesting and vaccination for FeLV and FIV in New Zealand appears targeted towards high-risk animals, which may bias prevalence estimates. Baseline data should be monitored for changes in FeLV epidemiology now commercial vaccines are no longer available.

Prevalence and Genomic Diversity of Feline Leukemia Virus in Privately Owned and Shelter Cats in Aburrá Valley, Colombia

“…Recent studies conducted in developed countries, which assessed more than 62,000 cat samples from the United States and Canada at veterinary clinics and shelters [23], reported a general prevalence rate of 3.1%, which may have increased up to 4.7% in animals with oral lesions and up to 8% in animals with respiratory diseases [23]. This prevalence rate is similar to that of Malaysia (1.2%) [25], New Zealand (1-2.6%) [26,27] and Europe, wherein the overall prevalence rate of FeLV in cats visiting a veterinary facility was 2.3% (141/6005; 95% CI: 2.0-2.8%), with the highest prevalence rates in Portugal, Hungary and Italy/Malta (5.7-8.8%) [28], indicating that the prevalence rate of FeLV infection in developed countries is extremely low compared with that which was found in the present study.…”

Outcome of cats referred to a specialized adoption program for feline leukemia virus-positive cats

“…However, LOS was approximately twice as long among FeLV-infected cats compared with those that were deemed uninfected after re-testing at the time of admission. Although cats diagnosed with FeLV have, on average, a reduced survival time, [5][6][7] many of these cats can be healthy at the time of testing, may revert from positive to negative/regressive FeLV status and/or can live quality lives that surpass life expectancy. 1 13 (11.9) 0 (0) Fading kitten syndrome 4 (3.7) 2 (28.6) Lymphoma 5 (4.6) 0 (0) Neurological 2 (1.8) 0 (0) Intussusception 1 (0.9) 0 (0) Kidney disease 1 (0.9) 0 (0) Liver disease 1 (0.9) 0 (0) Panleukopenia 1 (0.9) 0 (0) Data are n (%) *From χ 2 or Fisher's exact tests as appropriate † Categories of specific conditions are not mutually exclusive; therefore, a P value for overall distribution cannot be calculated ‡ Percentages were calculated using the following denominators: deaths/euthanasia in FeLV-infected cats (n = 109); deaths/euthanasia in uninfected/regressive cats (n = 7).…”

“…However, LOS was approximately twice as long among FeLV-infected cats compared with those that were deemed uninfected after re-testing at the time of admission. Although cats diagnosed with FeLV have, on average, a reduced survival time, 5 – 7 many of these cats can be healthy at the time of testing, may revert from positive to negative/regressive FeLV status and/or can live quality lives that surpass life expectancy. 1 …”

“…1,4 Public expectations and evolving animal shelter paradigms are increasing the focus on creating positive outcomes for a higher proportion of shelter pets, including those with chronic medical or behavioral conditions, if quality of life can be maintained. Overall, FeLV-infected cats have a shorter life expectancy than uninfected cats, [5][6][7] but a substantial proportion of these cats are generally healthy at the time of testing. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that FeLV test results can revert from positive to negative status, potentially signaling a regressive or abortive infection.…”

Atividade Antibiofilme Bacteriano De Desinfetantes

“…Já no Distrito Federal, 3,0% dos 361 gatos testados foram FIV positivos (Martins et al, 2012). Estudos evidenciam que gatos machos, não castrados e com acesso à rua são enquadrados no grupo de risco para a infecção e infectam novos hospedeiros por mordeduras e/ou arranhaduras durante brigas por alimentos, fêmeas e território (Luckman et al, 2017;Hosie et al, 2009). A prevenção e controle desta enfermidade estão associados ao diagnóstico precoce da infecção, à permanência dos gatos dentro do domicílio (não permitir o acesso à rua), à castração e ao bem-estar animal (Luckman et al, 2017).…”