Feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus and Bartonella species in stray cats on St Kitts, West Indies.
Stray cats trapped in various areas of Basseterre, the capital of St Kitts in the West Indies, were tested for infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) using commercial kits. Of 99 (51 male and 48 female) cats trapped in 2006/7, 15% (12 males and three females) were positive for FIV while none were positive for FeLV. Of 72 (41 males and 31 females) cats trapped in 2009, 14% (nine males and one female) were positive for FIV while none were positive for FeLV. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed DNA of Bartonella species in whole blood collected from 60/95 (63%) cats trapped in 2006/7. Sequencing of the 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region of a convenience sample of nine amplicons and the 11 isolates made from 43 blood samples which were cultured using Bartonella alpha Proteobacteria (BAPGM) enrichment medium revealed B henselae (14) and B clarridgeiae (six).
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, West Farm, Saint Kitts and Nevis. pkelly@rossvet.edu.kn
Patrick J
PJ
Kelly
Lenita
L
Moura
Tanya
T
Miller
Jaime
J
Thurk
Nicole
N
Perreault
Adriana
A
Weil
Ricardo
R
Maggio
Helene
H
Lucas
Edward
E
Breitschwerdt
D000818:Animals; D001473:Bartonella / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D017931:DNA Primers; D030561:Databases, Nucleic Acid; D005260:Female; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016180:Lentivirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D019437:Saint Kitts and Nevis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012582:Schools, Veterinary; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
D017931:DNA Primers