Evidence of feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, and Toxoplasma gondii in feral cats on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
We determined prevalence to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in feral cats (Felis catus) on Mauna Kea Hawaii from April 2002 to May 2004. Six of 68 (8.8%) and 11 of 68 (16.2%) cats were antibody positive to FIV and antigen positive for FeLV, respectively; 25 of 67 (37.3%) cats were seropositive to T. gondii. Antibodies to FeLV and T. gondii occurred in all age and sex classes, but FIV occurred only in adult males. Evidence of current or previous infections with two of these infectious agents was detected in eight of 64 cats (12.5%). Despite exposure to these infectious agents, feral cats remain abundant throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Danner
Raymond M
RM
Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, c/o USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Kīlauea Field Station, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718, USA.
Goltz
Daniel M
DM
Hess
Steven C
SC
Banko
Paul C
PC
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral