When cats’ ways of life interact with their viruses: A study in 15 natural populations of owned and unowned cats (Felis silvestris catus)

Hellard, Éléonore; Fouchet, David; Santin‐Janin, Hugues; Tarin, B.; Badol, V.; Coupier, C.; Leblanc, Guillaume; Poulet, Hervé; Pontier, Dominique

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.04.020

Cited by 43 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…However, the high prevalence of FeLV observed in aggressive cats in our study contradicts the earlier notion that FeLV is primarily a disease of friendly or socialized cats [25]. Thus, there is the need to re-consider social behaviour in assessing FeLV transmission patterns [19,22]. It is possible that demographic factors that influence serological status to FeLV or FIV may change over time or with geography, climate and other factors.…”

Section: Risk Factorscontrasting

confidence: 85%

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Prevalence and risk factors of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in peninsular Malaysia

et al. 2012

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BackgroundFeline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in domestic and wild felids. Despite the clinical importance of feline retroviruses and the growing interest in cats as pets, information about FeLV and FIV in Malaysia is presently insufficient to properly advise veterinarians and pet owners. A cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2010 to December 2010 to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with FeLV and FIV among domestic cats in peninsular Malaysia. Plasma samples were harvested from the blood of 368 domestic cats and screened for evidence of FeLV p27 antigen and FIV antibodies, using an immunochromatographic kit. Additionally, data on cat demographics and health were collected using a structured questionnaire, and were evaluated as potential risk factors for FeLV or FIV status.ResultsOf the 368 cats that were evaluated in this study, 12.2% (45/368; 95% CI = 8.88 - 15.58) were positive for FeLV p27 antigen, 31.3%, (115/368; 95% CI = 26.51 - 35.99) were seropositive to FIV antibodies, and 4.3% (16/368; 95% CI = 2.27 - 6.43) had evidence of both viruses. Factors found to significantly increase the risk for FeLV seropositivity include sex, age, behaviour, sickness, and living in a multi-cat household. Seropositive response to FIV was significantly associated with sex, neuter status, age, behaviour, and health status.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that FeLV and FIV are common among domestic cats in peninsular Malaysia, and that factors related to cat demographics and health such as age, sex, behaviour, health status and type of household are important predictors for seropositive status to FeLV or FIV in peninsular Malaysia. High prevalence of FeLV or FIV observed in our study is of concern, in view of the immunosuppressive potentials of the two pathogens. Specific measures for control and prevention such as screening and routine vaccination are needed to ensure that FeLV and FIV are controlled in the cat population of peninsular Malaysia.

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Section: Risk Factorscontrasting

confidence: 85%

“…For example, Danner et al [20] exclusively sampled feral cats, while Bandecchi et al [21] sampled owned cats. In contrast, our study included owned and shelter cats that probably had varying medical and behavioural characteristics [22].…”

Section: Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and risk factors of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in peninsular Malaysia

et al. 2012

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“…For FeLV infection, the currently overall prevalence in the mixed cat population ranges from 1-6% GLEICH et al, 2009;LITTLE et al, 2009;HELLARD et al, 2011). A prevalence study for FeLV infection in Slovenia found 23.8% positive cats (TOZON et al, 2008), and a previous paper in Croatia showed 11.5% healthy and up to 14.9% clinically ill, positive cats (KUČER et al, 2000).…”

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confidence: 99%

The epidemiology features of retroviral infections in domestic cats from the Zagreb urban area

Perharić¹,

Starešina²,

Turk³

et al. 2018

Vet. arhiv

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Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are among the most common infectious diseases of cats and have a global impact on the health of domestic cats. Both viruses belong to the Retroviridae family and like other members of this family they are associated with lifelong infection after integration of the proviral DNA into the host cell genome. Prevalence data are necessary to define the risk factors, and prophylactic, management, diagnostic and therapeutic measures for stray and owned sick cats. In this study 324 domestic cats were tested with commercially available assays. The tested cats were divided into two groups, stray and owned sick cats. The overall percentage of seropositives for FIV infection was 18.51% and the prevalence for FeLV infection was 14.50%. FIV prevalence ranged from 13.13% in stray cats up to 20.88% within the sick owned cat group. The prevalence for FeLV infection was 6.06% in stray cats and 18.22% among sick owned cats. Regarding FIV infection, our study confirmed a significantly higher percentage of seropositives for male cats, as well as for sexually intact ones within the sick owned group. Males were significantly more likely to have positive results for both retroviral infections. The study confirmed the high rate of retroviral infections in cats from the Zagreb urban area. Males, sexually intact ones, and territorial aggression are predisposing factors for FIV infection, but not for FeLV. Preventive measures should include identification and segregation of infected cats, castration of outdoor male cats, and vaccination.

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“…during cats' breeding season), in North-Eastern France Hellard et al 2011). during cats' breeding season), in North-Eastern France Hellard et al 2011).…”

Section: Cat Populations and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential association between circulating testosterone and infection risk by several viruses in natural cat populations: a behavioural-mediated effect?

et al. 2013

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Testosterone is involved in the development and expression of physiological, morphological and behavioural traits. High levels are often associated with high infection risk and/or intensity, suggesting a trade-off between sexual traits and immunity. Classically invoked mechanisms are immunological or behavioural, i.e., testosterone increases susceptibility or resistance to parasites via an impact on immunity or modulates behaviours involved in parasite transmission. However, studies report contrasted patterns. Given its modes of action and the diversity of host-parasite interactions, testosterone should not act similarly on all interactions. To reduce host and context diversity, we studied 3 viruses in the same cat population: the aggressively transmitted Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and the Feline Calicivirus (FCV) and Herpesvirus (FHV) both transmitted during friendly contacts. Testosterone had a strong effect on the probability of being positive to FIV whereas its effect was significantly weaker on FCV and FHV. These findings demonstrate that testosterone can be differentially associated with parasites of the same type (viruses). The difference we observed was consistent with a behavioural-mediated effect (increased aggressiveness), supporting the idea that the testosterone effect on infection risk is at least partially driven by behavioural mechanisms in our system. Further investigations (e.g., individual immunity measures) are required to confirm this hypothesis.

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When cats’ ways of life interact with their viruses: A study in 15 natural populations of owned and unowned cats (Felis silvestris catus)

Cited by 43 publications

References 63 publications

Prevalence and risk factors of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in peninsular Malaysia

Prevalence and risk factors of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in peninsular Malaysia

The epidemiology features of retroviral infections in domestic cats from the Zagreb urban area

Differential association between circulating testosterone and infection risk by several viruses in natural cat populations: a behavioural-mediated effect?

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