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Feline Leukemia Virus

Feline Leukemia Virus . Zarah Hedge, DVM Chelsea Reinhard, DVM . FeLV Overview . Retrovirus  Oncornavirus subfamily First discovered in the 1960s Enveloped ssRNA with protein core Transmission Typically oro -nasal route Close contact  social behaviors Saliva*

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Feline Leukemia Virus

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  1. Feline Leukemia Virus Zarah Hedge, DVM Chelsea Reinhard, DVM

  2. FeLV Overview • Retrovirus  Oncornavirus subfamily • First discovered in the 1960s • Enveloped ssRNA with protein core • Transmission • Typically oro-nasal route • Close contact  social behaviors • Saliva* • Other secretions (feces, urine) – less common • “Friendly cat” transmission • Transplacental &/or via milk, close contact

  3. FeLV Overview • Young kittens most susceptible • 1-8% prevalence worldwide • Declined over past 25 years • Median survival time: 2.4 years

  4. FeLV Clinical Picture • Tumors • Immunosuppression • Concurrent disease • Hematologic (blood) disorders • Immune-mediated disease • Many more...

  5. Infection • Progressive = Lifelong • FeLV is not contained early in infection • Virus replication in lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes), bone marrow, other tissues • Cats with progressive disease succumb to FeLV-associated illness within a few years • Regressive • Immune response that contains virus before/at the time of bone marrow infection • Transient • Low risk of developing FeLV-associated illness

  6. Pathogenesis Exposure days Transient viremia Regressor cat 3 wk viremia Latent infection 3-13 wk Stress or immunosuppression lifelong

  7. FeLV Diagnostics • Screening test • ELISA • Confirmatory tests • IFA • PCR

  8. Detects free FeLV p27 (core protein) Ag in plasma or serum • *recommended screening test* • Most cats will test positive within 30 days of exposure • False + • Whole blood (hemolyzed) • False – • rare

  9. IFA • Detects p27 Ag • More prone to false negative results than ELISA

  10. Pathogenesis Exposure days Transient viremia ELISA + Regressor cat 3 wk viremia ELISA + Latent infection PCR 3-13 wk IFA + Stress or immunosuppression lifelong

  11. FeLV Diagnostic Testing • PCR (?) • Supposed to detect viral DNA in the cat’s genome • Testing protocols not standardized or validated

  12. Confusion! • Detection = CONFUSING • Discordant test results may be due to the stage of infection • Reasons can include cats that resist bone marrow infection and cats that have regressive infections • Repeat both tests (ELISA and IFA) in 30 days

  13. Questions?

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