Felv epidemiology in los angeles cats: Appraisal of detection methods

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The reliability of the fixed cell indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) peripheral blood smear test as an index of systemic infection with FeLV [feline leukemia virus] was investigated [in pet cats from the Los Angeles, California, USA area]. Positive results with this test correlated well with detectable FeLV p30 antigen in bone-marrow smears by IFA, in serum and tissue by competition immunoassays and with type-C particles in bone marrow or spleen by EM. Most cats with lymphoma, anemia or infectious peritonitis were positive for FeLV and showed a poor or absent antibody response to FeLV p30, gp70 and FOCMA [feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen] antigens. Most older cats with lymphoma, carcinoma or sarcoma were negative for FeLV expression and also lacked these FeLV-related antibodies. Detectable immunologic response to FeLV p30 and gp70 proteins and a high-titered FOCMA antibody response were generally restricted to certain healthy cats exposed to FeLV. Antibody to endogenous RD-114 viral p30 and gp70 was not detected in any of a large number of feline sera tested. The prevalence of FeLV-related diseases and immunologic responses to FeLV in healthy cats was directly correlated with the degree of FeLV exposure. By using the IFA blood smear and FOCMA antibody tests one can monitor the horizontal spread of FeLV in multi-cat households and accurately predict the FeLV disease susceptibility or resistance of individual cats in such environments.