title: Markers of feline leukaemia virus infection or exposure in cats from a region of low seroprevalence.
abstract: Molecular techniques have demonstrated that cats may harbour feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) provirus in the absence of antigenaemia. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), p27 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), anti-feline oncornavirus-associated cell-membrane-antigen (FOCMA) antibody testing and virus isolation (VI) we investigated three groups of cats. Among cats with cytopenias or lymphoma, 2/75 were transiently positive for provirus and anti-FOCMA antibodies were the only evidence of exposure in another. In 169 young, healthy cats, all tests were negative. In contrast, 3/4 cats from a closed household where FeLV was confirmed by isolation, had evidence of infection. Our results support a role for factors other than FeLV in the pathogenesis of cytopenias and lymphoma. There was no evidence of exposure in young cats. In regions of low prevalence, where the positive predictive value of antigen testing is low, qPCR may assist with diagnosis.
authors: Valentine Charlton Cat Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. julia.beatty@sydney.edu.au
authors: Julia A
authors: JA
authors: Beatty
authors: Séverine
authors: S
authors: Tasker
authors: Oswald
authors: O
authors: Jarrett
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Lam
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Gibson
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Noe-Nordberg
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Phillips
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Fawcett
authors: Vanessa R
authors: VR
authors: Barrs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002415:Cats; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016582:Leukemia, Feline / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral