Diseases associated with feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection: A retrospective study of 1470 necropsied cats (2010–2020). (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Mello, Lauren Santos; Ribeiro, Paula Reis; de Almeida, Bruno Albuquerque; Bandinelli, Marcele Bettim; Sonne, Luciana; Driemeier, David; Pavarini, Saulo Petinatti
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 95(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Cats -- Leukemia -- Lymphoma -- Infectious diseases -- Viral diseases -- Retroviruses; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.101963
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Abstract: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses affecting cats worldwide, and the prevalence of infection varies considerably according to the geographic area. We retrospectively described FIV- and FeLV-associated diseases in a population of 1470 necropsied cats, of which 396 (26.9%) were infected with FeLV, 199 (13.5%) with FIV, and 134 (9.1%) with FeLV and FIV concomitantly. Cats infected with FeLV (OR 3.4) and co-infected with FeLV and FIV (OR 1.9) were more likely to have neoplasms. The diagnosis of lymphoma and leukemia was higher in cats infected with FeLV (OR 3.9 and 19.4, respectively) and coinfected with FeLV and FIV (OR 1.9 and 19.3, respectively). The odds of diagnosing bacterial diseases were higher in cats coinfected with FeLV and FIV (OR: 2.8), whereas the odds of viral diseases were higher in those infected with FeLV (OR: 2.8), with 2.2 times more diagnoses of feline infectious peritonitis. Neoplastic and infectious diseases in FIV-infected cats did not differ significantly from those in uninfected cats. According to our results, a high prevalence of retroviral infections was observed in southern Brazil, mainly in relation to FeLV. Infected cats were significantly younger than uninfected cats. The main causes of death associated with FeLV infection and FeLV and FIV coinfection were neoplastic and infectious diseases. In contrast, FIV infection was not associated with any specific condition. Highlights: FIV and FeLV status were obtained retrospectively from 1470 necropsied cats. FeLV and FIV infections were observed in 26.9% and 13.5% of necropsied cats, respectively. FeLV-infected cats died younger than uninfected ones. The odds of diagnosing leukemia and lymphoma were 19.4 and 3.9 times higher in cats with FeLV, respectively. Infectious diseases were more likely to occur in cats infected with FeLV and coinfected with FeLV and FIV.