title: Seroprevalence of viral infections in domestic cats in Costa Rica.
abstract: A cross-sectional survey of a convenient sample of domestic cats from Costa Rica's greater metropolitan area was carried out to determine the prevalence of antibodies against feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), feline parvovirus (FPV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and antigens of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Blood samples were collected from at least 96 cats from June 1998 to December 2001; data related to the individual cats and household variables were obtained using a questionnaire. Antibodies against FHV-1 were found in 71.9% of the cats sampled, but only 25.0% of them had a history of previous vaccination. The prevalence of FPV was 92.8%, and all positive cats showed protective antibodies titres; however, only 16.5% of them were previously vaccinated. Antigens of FeLV were detected in 16.7% of the sampled cats; 11 (64.7%) of the 17 positive cats were older than 1 year at the time of testing. No differences were found between the percentage of seropositive males and females. Antibodies against FIV were detected in 8.8% of the samples tested; 8 (88.8%) of the seropositive cats were older than 1 year of age, and a greater proportion of seropositive males (66.6%) was found.
authors.affiliation: Rancho Margot Rescue Center, Alajuela, Costa Rica. kblanco@ranchomargot.org
authors.forename: Kinndle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prendas
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortes
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.forename: Gaby
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dolz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D002415:Cats; D003364:Costa Rica / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D028301:Feline Panleukopenia Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral