Methods for detecting FeLV

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Introduction:

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus with global impact on the health of domestic cats that causes tumors (mainly lymphoma), bone marrow disorders, and immunosuppression. The importance of FeLV is underestimated due to complacency associated with previous decline in prevalence. However, with this comes lowered vigilance, which, along with potential for regressively infected cats to reactivate viremia and shed the virus or develop clinical signs, can pose a risk to feline health. This article summarizes knowledge on FeLV pathogenesis, courses of infection, and factors affecting prevalance, infection outcome, and development of FeLV-associated diseases, with special focus on regressive FeLV infection.

Transmission :

FeLV is primarily spread through close contact between cats, especially through mutual grooming, biting, and sharing food and water bowls. It can also be transmitted from an infected mother cat to her kittens during pregnancy, birth, or through nursing. FeLV is not highly contagious, and not all cats exposed to the virus will become infected. However, infected cats can shed the virus and spread it to other cats.

There are several outcomes for cats exposed to FeLV:

Transient Infection: Some cats can mount an effective immune response and clear the virus from their system within a few weeks of exposure.

Regressive Infection: Cats in this category initially test positive for FeLV but then become latent carriers. They do not show any signs of illness and can live for years without symptoms. However, they can potentially shed the virus and infect other cats.

Progressive Infection: Cats with this outcome become persistently infected with the virus. They are at higher risk of developing various health problems, including immune system suppression, anemia, and cancer.

Clinical syndromes associated with regressive feline leukemia virus infection :

Active virus replication occurs in cats with progressive FeLV infection and is generally responsible for the development of clinical signs.80 However, certain diseases (such as lymphoma and bone marrow suppression) have also been described in regressively infected cats. Even progressively infected cats can be clinically healthy for many years, however, their life expectancy is generally reduced.17,27,81,82 A variety of disease conditions can be associated with progressive FeLV infection…