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He M, Feng S, Shi K, Shi Y, Long F, Yin Y, Li Z. One-step triplex TaqMan quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the detection of feline coronavirus, feline panleukopenia virus, and feline leukemia virus. Vet World 2024; 17:946-955. [PMID: 38911097 PMCID: PMC11188903 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.946-955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are prevalent throughout China and significantly threaten cat health. These viruses cause similar manifestations and pathological damage. Rapid and accurate diagnosis depends on detection in the laboratory. This study aimed to establish a reliable and rapid method for accurate detection of FCoV, FPV, and FeLV so that a definite diagnosis can be made and effective measures can be taken to prevent and control viral infection. Materials and Methods We designed three pairs of specific primers and probes for the detection of FCoV 5' untranslated region, FPV viral protein 2, and FeLV pol genes. Recombinant plasmid constructs were generated for use as standard plasmid constructs. Optimal reaction conditions, including primer and probe concentrations, reaction cycles, and annealing temperatures, were obtained on the basis of optimization tests. One-step triplex real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was successfully established to simultaneously detect FCoV, FPV, and FeLV. The specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability of the assay were analyzed, and its applicability was validated by testing 1175 clinical samples. Results One-step triplex RT-qPCR had a high degree of specificity only for the detection of FCoV, FPV, and FeLV; it had high sensitivity with limits of detection of 139.904, 143.099, and 152.079 copies/reaction for p-FCoV, p-FPV, and p-FeLV standard plasmid constructs, respectively, and it had reliable repeatability with 0.06%-0.87% intra-assay coefficients of variations. A total of 1175 clinical samples were examined for FCoV, FPV, and FeLV using triplex RT-qPCR, and the FCoV, FPV, and FeLV positivity rates were 18.47%, 19.91%, and 47.57%, respectively. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of one-step triplex RT-qPCR were 93.07% and 97.99%, respectively. Conclusion We developed a rapid and reliable one-step triplex RT-qPCR method for the detection of FCoV, FPV, and FeLV, which could be used as a diagnostic tool for clinical monitoring and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyi He
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Shuping Feng
- Guangxi Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Kaichuang Shi
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
- Guangxi Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Yandi Shi
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Feng Long
- Guangxi Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Yanwen Yin
- Guangxi Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Zongqiang Li
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
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Gallina L, Facile V, Roda N, Sabetti MC, Terrusi A, Urbani L, Magliocca M, Vasylyeva K, Dondi F, Balboni A, Battilani M. Molecular investigation and genetic characterization of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in cats referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in Northern Italy. Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10380-6. [PMID: 38644457 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is responsible for feline leukemia syndrome in domestic cats. The prevention and control of disease caused by FeLV are primarily based on vaccination and identification and isolation of infected subjects. Antigen diagnostic methods, which are the most widely used in clinical practices, can be associated to molecular tests to characterize the FeLV detected. In this study, a quantitative SYBR Green Real-Time PCR (qPCR) assay was used to detect FeLV proviral DNA in blood samples from antigen positive cats referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in Northern Italy in 2018-2021. To genetically characterize the identified viruses, a portion of the viral envelope (env) gene was amplified using six different end-point PCRs and sequenced. Twenty-two of 26 (84.6%) cats included in the study tested positive by qPCR assay. This suggests a high performance of the qPCR adopted but further studies are required to investigate the cause of discordant results between the antigen test and qPCR in four cats. From env gene analysis, 15/22 qPCR-positive cats were infected by FeLV subtype A and 5/15 shown coinfection with subtype B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gallina
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Veronica Facile
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Nicola Roda
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Sabetti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, Parma, 43126, Italy
| | - Alessia Terrusi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Lorenza Urbani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Martina Magliocca
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Kateryna Vasylyeva
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
| | - Andrea Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy.
| | - Mara Battilani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy
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Giselbrecht J, Jähne S, Bergmann M, Meli ML, Teichmann-Knorrn S, Zablotski Y, Pennisi MG, Layachi N, Serra R, Bo S, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Hartmann K. Evaluation of a Revised Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of Feline Leukaemia p27 Antigen and Anti-p15E Antibodies in Cats. Viruses 2024; 16:614. [PMID: 38675954 PMCID: PMC11054206 DOI: 10.3390/v16040614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The first point-of-care (PoC) test (v-RetroFel®; modified version 2021) determining the presence of FeLV p27 antigen and FeLV anti-p15E antibodies has become recently commercially available to identify different feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection outcomes. This study aimed to assess this PoC test's performance concerning FeLV p27 antigen and FeLV anti-p15E antibody detection. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were assessed after ten minutes (recommended) and 20 min (prolonged) incubation times. The test results were evaluated as either positive or negative. Serum samples from 934 cats were included, originating from Italy (n = 269), Portugal (n = 240), Germany (n = 318), and France (n = 107). FeLV p27 antigen and anti-p15E antibodies were measured by reference standard ELISAs and compared to the PoC test results. The PoC test was easy to perform and the results easy to interpret. Sensitivity and specificity for FeLV p27 antigen were 82.8% (PPV: 57.8%) and 96.0% (NPV: 98.8%) after both, ten and 20 minues of incubation time. Sensitivity and specificity for anti-p15E antibodies were 31.4% (PPV: 71.6%) and 96.9% (NPV: 85.1%) after ten minutes incubation time; sensitivity was improved by a prolonged incubation time (20 min) to 40.0% (PPV: 76.3%), while specificity remained the same (96.9%, NPV: 86.7%). Despite the improved sensitivity using the prolonged incubation time, lower than ideal sensitivities for both p27 antigen and especially anti-p15E antibodies were found, indicating that the PoC test in its current version needs further improvement prior to application in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Giselbrecht
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Stéphanie Jähne
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Yury Zablotski
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Serra
- Investigacao Veterinaria Independente, 1700-119 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Stefano Bo
- Ambulatorio Veterinario Bo-Ferro, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany
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Diesel LP, de Mello LS, de Oliveira Santana W, Ikuta N, Fonseca ASK, Kipper D, Redaelli R, Pereira VRZB, Streck AF, Lunge VR. Epidemiological Insights into Feline Leukemia Virus Infections in an Urban Cat ( Felis catus) Population from Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1051. [PMID: 38612290 PMCID: PMC11010845 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus distributed worldwide in domestic cats and with different outcomes (progressive, regressive, abortive, focal). The present study reports an epidemiological survey of FeLV frequency and the evaluation of some risk factors and the two main disease outcomes (progressive and regressive) in an urban cat population from Brazil. A total of 366 cats with sociodemographic information and p27 FeLV antigen test performed were included in the study. FeLV DNA (provirus) in the blood samples of all cats was detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Plasma samples from 109 FeLV-positive and FeLV-negative cats were also submitted to reverse transcription (RT-qPCR) to determine the FeLV viral load. The results demonstrated that 112 (30.6%) cats were positive through the p27 antigen and/or qPCR. A risk factor analysis demonstrated that cats without vaccination against FeLV (OR 9.9, p < 0.001), clinically ill (OR 2.9, p < 0.001), with outdoors access (OR 2.7, p < 0.001), and exhibiting apathetic behavior (OR 3.1, p < 0.001) were more likely to be infected with FeLV. FeLV-infected cats were also more likely to present with anemia (OR 13, p < 0.001) and lymphoma (OR 13.7, p = 0.001). A comparative analysis of the different detection methods in a subset of 109 animals confirmed FeLV infection in 58 cats, including 38 (65.5%) with progressive, 16 (27.6%) with regressive, and 4 (6.9%) with probably focal outcome diseases. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a high prevalence of FeLV in this urban cat population from Brazil and highlights the need to establish more effective prevention strategies (such as viral testing, vaccination programs, specific care for FeLV-positive cats) to reduce diseases associated with this virus in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pancich Diesel
- Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory (LDMV), Institute of Biotechnology (IB), Postgraduate Programs in Animal Health (PPGSA) and Biotechnology (PPGBIO), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul 95070-560, RS, Brazil; (L.P.D.); (W.d.O.S.); (V.R.Z.B.P.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Lauren Santos de Mello
- Simbios Biotechnologia, Cachoeirinha 94950-000, RS, Brazil; (L.S.d.M.); (N.I.); (A.S.K.F.); (D.K.)
| | - Weslei de Oliveira Santana
- Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory (LDMV), Institute of Biotechnology (IB), Postgraduate Programs in Animal Health (PPGSA) and Biotechnology (PPGBIO), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul 95070-560, RS, Brazil; (L.P.D.); (W.d.O.S.); (V.R.Z.B.P.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Nilo Ikuta
- Simbios Biotechnologia, Cachoeirinha 94950-000, RS, Brazil; (L.S.d.M.); (N.I.); (A.S.K.F.); (D.K.)
| | | | - Diéssy Kipper
- Simbios Biotechnologia, Cachoeirinha 94950-000, RS, Brazil; (L.S.d.M.); (N.I.); (A.S.K.F.); (D.K.)
| | - Raquel Redaelli
- Gatices Veterinary Hospital, Caxias do Sul 95000-000, RS, Brazil;
| | - Vagner Reinaldo Zingali Bueno Pereira
- Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory (LDMV), Institute of Biotechnology (IB), Postgraduate Programs in Animal Health (PPGSA) and Biotechnology (PPGBIO), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul 95070-560, RS, Brazil; (L.P.D.); (W.d.O.S.); (V.R.Z.B.P.); (A.F.S.)
| | - André Felipe Streck
- Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory (LDMV), Institute of Biotechnology (IB), Postgraduate Programs in Animal Health (PPGSA) and Biotechnology (PPGBIO), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul 95070-560, RS, Brazil; (L.P.D.); (W.d.O.S.); (V.R.Z.B.P.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Vagner Ricardo Lunge
- Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory (LDMV), Institute of Biotechnology (IB), Postgraduate Programs in Animal Health (PPGSA) and Biotechnology (PPGBIO), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul 95070-560, RS, Brazil; (L.P.D.); (W.d.O.S.); (V.R.Z.B.P.); (A.F.S.)
- Simbios Biotechnologia, Cachoeirinha 94950-000, RS, Brazil; (L.S.d.M.); (N.I.); (A.S.K.F.); (D.K.)
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Meli ML, Pineroli B, Geisser E, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Prospective Investigation of Feline Leukemia Virus Infection in Stray Cats Subjected to a Trap-Neuter-Return Program in Switzerland. Viruses 2024; 16:394. [PMID: 38543760 PMCID: PMC10975613 DOI: 10.3390/v16030394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) remains a serious concern in some countries despite advances in diagnostics and vaccines. FeLV-infected cats often have reduced lifespans due to FeLV-associated diseases. The infection is transmitted through social interactions. While Northern European countries have reported a decrease in FeLV among pet cats, Switzerland's rates remain stagnant at 2.7% (2016/17: 95% CI 1.4-5.2%). Research on FeLV in Swiss stray cats has been lacking, even though these animals could serve as a virus reservoir. Sampling stray cats that do not receive regular veterinary care can be challenging. Collaboration with the Swiss Network for Animal Protection (NetAP) allowed for the prospective collection of saliva samples from 1711 stray cats during a trap-neuter-return program from 2019 to 2023. These samples were tested for FeLV RNA using RT-qPCR as a measure for antigenemia. Viral RNA was detected in 4.0% (95% CI 3.1-5.0%) of the samples, with 7.7% (95% CI 4.9-11.3%) in sick cats and 3.3% (95% CI 2.4-4.4%) in healthy ones. We identified three geographically independent hotspots with alarmingly high FeLV infection rates in stray cats (up to 70%). Overall, including the previous data of privately owned cats, FeLV-positive cats were scattered throughout Switzerland in 24/26 cantons. Our findings underscore welfare concerns for FeLV infections among stray cats lacking veterinary attention, highlighting the potential risk of infection to other free-roaming cats, including those privately owned. This emphasizes the critical significance of vaccinating all cats with outdoor access against FeLV and developing programs to protect cats from FeLV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.)
| | - Benita Pineroli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.)
| | - Esther Geisser
- Network for Animal Protection (NetAP), 8133 Esslingen, Switzerland;
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.)
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Beatty JA, Choi YR, Nekouei O, Woodhouse FM, Gray JJ, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Barrs VR. Epidemiology of Pathogenic Retroviruses and Domestic Cat Hepadnavirus in Community and Client-Owned Cats in Hong Kong. Viruses 2024; 16:167. [PMID: 38399943 PMCID: PMC10893229 DOI: 10.3390/v16020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the local epidemiology of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in Hong Kong will inform retrovirus prevention strategies. Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), a novel hepatitis-B-like virus, is commonly detected among client-owned cats in Hong Kong, but community cats have not been studied. The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency and potential risk factors for (i) FeLV and FIV among community and client-owned cats and (ii) perform molecular detection of DCH among community cats in Hong Kong. Blood samples from 713 cats were obtained from client-owned (n = 415, residual diagnostic) and community cats (n = 298, at trap-neuter-return). Point-of-care (POC) testing for FeLV antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) anti-p15 and p24 antibodies was performed. FeLV-positive samples were progressed to p27 sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Whole blood DNA was tested with qPCRs for FeLV U3 and gag, and nested PCRs where additional information was required. DCH qPCR was performed on a subset of community cats (n = 193). A single, regressive, FeLV infection was detected in a client-owned cat (1/415 FeLV U3 qPCR positive, 0.2%, 95% CI 0.0-1.3%). Five/415 client-owned cats tested presumably false FeLV-antigen positive (qPCR negative). No markers of FeLV infection were detected in community cats (0/298; 0%). FIV seroprevalence was much higher in community cats (46/298, 15.4%) than in client-owned cats (13/415, 3.1%) (p < 0.001). Mixed breed was a risk factor for FIV infection in client-owned cats. Neither sex nor age were associated with FIV infection. DCH DNA was detected in 34/193 (17.6%) community cats (median viral load 6.32 × 103 copies/reaction). FeLV infection is rare in Hong Kong, negatively impacting the positive predictive value of diagnostic tests. FeLV-antigen testing remains the screening test of choice, but confirmation of a positive result using FeLV qPCR is essential. FIV infection is common in community cats and the absence of a sex predisposition, seen previously in cats managed similarly, raises questions about virus-transmission dynamics in these groups. DCH infection is very common in Hong Kong, both in client-owned and community cats, highlighting the importance of understanding the pathogenic potential of this virus for cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A. Beatty
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (J.A.B.); (Y.R.C.)
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yan Ru Choi
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (J.A.B.); (Y.R.C.)
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Omid Nekouei
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Fiona. M. Woodhouse
- The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Wan Chai, Hong Kong SAR, China; (F.M.W.); (J.J.G.)
| | - Jane. J. Gray
- The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Wan Chai, Hong Kong SAR, China; (F.M.W.); (J.J.G.)
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa R. Barrs
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (J.A.B.); (Y.R.C.)
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Bezerra JAB, Haisi A, Rocha GDS, Lima SG, Brasil AWDL, Tomaz KLR, Fornazari F, Langoni H, Araújo Junior JP, Antunes JMADP, de Azevedo SS. Coinfection with Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii in Domestic Cats from a Region with a High Prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Microorganisms 2023; 12:71. [PMID: 38257898 PMCID: PMC10820695 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the coinfection of feline retroviruses (feline immunodeficiency virus-FIV, and the feline leukemia virus-FeLV) with Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii and the factors associated with these pathogens in domestic cats from Mossoró, a city endemic for canine and human leishmaniasis situated in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. Blood samples from 120 cats were collected, and an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to investigate the risk factors associated with the infections. Retroviruses, L. infantum, and T. gondii infections were assessed using a point-of-care ELISA and quantitative PCR (qPCR), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and qPCR, and IFAT, respectively. The overall seroprevalences observed were 35% (95% CI = 27.0-43.8%) for FIV, 0.8% (95% CI = 0.1-4.5%) for FeLV, 25.8% (95% CI = 18.8-34.3%) for T. gondii, and 4.2% (95% CI = 1.7-9.3%) for L. infantum. Coinfection with FIV and L. infantum was observed in 2.5% (3/120) of the assessed cats, while 12.5% (15/120) were coinfected with FIV and T. gondii. No significant association was found among the investigated agents (p > 0.05). The factors associated with FIV infection in the multivariable analysis were male sex and age above 78 months. The findings of this study demonstrated a high rate of FIV infection in cats from the Brazilian semiarid region and the exposure of these animals to zoonotic and opportunistic agents. Due to the immunosuppressive potential of FIV, cats infected with this retrovirus should be screened for coinfections with L. infantum and T. gondii, and preventative measures should be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Artur Brilhante Bezerra
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, Brazil;
| | - Amanda Haisi
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Alameda das Tecomarias, s/n, Chácara Capão Bonito, Botucatu 18607-440, Brazil; (A.H.); (J.P.A.J.)
| | - Gabrielle dos Santos Rocha
- Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua Prof. Doutor Walter Mauricio Correa, s/n, Rubião Júnior, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil; (G.d.S.R.); (S.G.L.); (F.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Suellen Gonçalves Lima
- Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua Prof. Doutor Walter Mauricio Correa, s/n, Rubião Júnior, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil; (G.d.S.R.); (S.G.L.); (F.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Arthur Willian de Lima Brasil
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Cidade Universitária, s/n, Campus I, Castelo Branco, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil;
| | - Klívio Loreno Raulino Tomaz
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, Mossoro 59625-900, Brazil;
| | - Felipe Fornazari
- Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua Prof. Doutor Walter Mauricio Correa, s/n, Rubião Júnior, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil; (G.d.S.R.); (S.G.L.); (F.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Helio Langoni
- Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua Prof. Doutor Walter Mauricio Correa, s/n, Rubião Júnior, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil; (G.d.S.R.); (S.G.L.); (F.F.); (H.L.)
| | - João Pessoa Araújo Junior
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Alameda das Tecomarias, s/n, Chácara Capão Bonito, Botucatu 18607-440, Brazil; (A.H.); (J.P.A.J.)
| | - João Marcelo Azevedo de Paula Antunes
- Hospital Veterinário Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Maia, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, Mossoro 59625-900, Brazil;
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, Brazil;
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Piewbang C, Wardhani SW, Siripoonsub J, Sirivisoot S, Rungsipipat A, Techangamsuwan S. Domestic cat hepadnavirus detection in blood and tissue samples of cats with lymphoma. Vet Q 2023; 43:1-10. [PMID: 37768269 PMCID: PMC10563604 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2265172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), a relative hepatitis B virus (HBV) in human, has been recently identified in cats; however, association of DCH infection with lymphoma in cats is not investigated. To determine the association between DCH infection and feline lymphoma, seven hundred and seventeen cats included 131 cats with lymphoma (68 blood and 63 tumor samples) and 586 (526 blood and 60 lymph node samples) cats without lymphoma. DCH DNA was investigated in blood and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The FFPE lymphoma tissues were immunohistochemically subtyped, and the localization of DCH in lymphoma sections was investigated using in situ hybridization (ISH). Feline retroviral infection was investigated in the DCH-positive cases. DCH DNA was detected in 16.18% (11/68) (p = 0.002; odds ratio [OR], 5.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.33-11.36) of blood and 9.52% (6/63) (p = 0.028; OR, 13.68; 95% CI, 0.75-248.36) of neoplastic samples obtained from lymphoma cats, whereas only 3.61% (19/526) of blood obtained from non-lymphoma cats was positive for DCH detection. Within the DCH-positive lymphoma, in 3/6 cats, feline leukemia virus was co-detected, and in 6/6 were B-cell lymphoma (p > 0.9; OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 0.09-37.89) and were multicentric form (p = 0.008; OR, 1.327; 95% CI, 0.06-31.18). DCH was found in the CD79-positive pleomorphic cells. Cats with lymphoma were more likely to be positive for DCH than cats without lymphoma, and infection associated with lymphoma development needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutchai Piewbang
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sabrina Wahyu Wardhani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jedsada Siripoonsub
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Companion Animal Cancer, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirintra Sirivisoot
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Companion Animal Cancer, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anudep Rungsipipat
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Companion Animal Cancer, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somporn Techangamsuwan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Yeo YG, Kim HR, Park J, Kim JM, Shin YK, Lee KK, Kwon OK, Jeoung HY, Kang HE, Ku BK, Park SC, Kwon OD, Park CK. Epidemiological and Molecular Approaches for a Fatal Feline Panleukopenia Virus Infection of Captive Siberian Tigers ( Panthera tigris altaica) in the Republic of Korea. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2991. [PMID: 37760391 PMCID: PMC10526094 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a member of the species Protoparvovirus carnivoran1, is one of the most fatal pathogens of domestic and wild carnivores. The virus endemically infects domestic carnivores worldwide and its cross-species transmission threatens endangered wild carnivores, including Siberian tigers. In this study, a fatal FPV infection in endangered Siberian tigers was investigated to trace the origin of the virus and elucidate the reason behind FPV's infection of the vaccinated tigers. Our genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus detected in the infected tigers, designated as the KTPV-2305 strain, was closely related to FPV strains circulating in Korean cats, suggesting that it might have been transmitted from stray cats wandering around the zoo. Compared with the prototype FPV reference strains, the KTPV-2305 strain carried three distinct amino acid (aa) mutations in the VP2 protein sequence (I101T, I232V, and L562V) in this study. These three mutations are commonly found in most global FPV strains, including Korean strains, indicating that these mutations are common evolutionary characteristics of currently circulating global FPVs. The reason why the vaccinated tigers were infected with FPV was most likely the insufficient protective immunity of the affected tigress or vaccine failure triggered by the interference of maternal-derived antibodies in the affected tiger cubs. These findings suggest that improved vaccination guidelines are urgently needed to save the lives of wild carnivores from this fatal virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Gu Yeo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (Y.-G.Y.); (H.-R.K.); (J.-M.K.)
- Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon 13829, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Ryung Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (Y.-G.Y.); (H.-R.K.); (J.-M.K.)
| | - Jonghyun Park
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, College of Veterinary Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (J.P.); (S.-C.P.)
| | - Jong-Min Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (Y.-G.Y.); (H.-R.K.); (J.-M.K.)
| | - Yeun-Kyung Shin
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (K.-K.L.); (O.-K.K.); (H.-Y.J.); (H.-E.K.); (B.-K.K.)
| | - Kyoung-Ki Lee
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (K.-K.L.); (O.-K.K.); (H.-Y.J.); (H.-E.K.); (B.-K.K.)
| | - Oh-Kyu Kwon
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (K.-K.L.); (O.-K.K.); (H.-Y.J.); (H.-E.K.); (B.-K.K.)
| | - Hye-Young Jeoung
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (K.-K.L.); (O.-K.K.); (H.-Y.J.); (H.-E.K.); (B.-K.K.)
| | - Hae-Eun Kang
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (K.-K.L.); (O.-K.K.); (H.-Y.J.); (H.-E.K.); (B.-K.K.)
| | - Bok-Kyung Ku
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (K.-K.L.); (O.-K.K.); (H.-Y.J.); (H.-E.K.); (B.-K.K.)
| | - Seung-Chun Park
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, College of Veterinary Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (J.P.); (S.-C.P.)
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (Y.-G.Y.); (H.-R.K.); (J.-M.K.)
| | - Choi-Kyu Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (Y.-G.Y.); (H.-R.K.); (J.-M.K.)
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10
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Moll GM, Swenson CL, Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V. BET Inhibitor JQ1 Attenuates Feline Leukemia Virus DNA, Provirus, and Antigen Production in Domestic Cat Cell Lines. Viruses 2023; 15:1853. [PMID: 37766260 PMCID: PMC10535802 DOI: 10.3390/v15091853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a cosmopolitan gammaretrovirus that causes lifelong infections and fatal diseases, including leukemias, lymphomas, immunodeficiencies, and anemias, in domestic and wild felids. There is currently no definitive treatment for FeLV, and while existing vaccines reduce the prevalence of progressive infections, they neither provide sterilizing immunity nor prevent regressive infections that result in viral reservoirs with the potential for reactivation, transmission, and the development of associated clinical diseases. Previous studies of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) established that host cell epigenetic reader bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins facilitate MuLV replication by promoting proviral integration. Here, we provide evidence that this facilitatory effect of BET proteins extends to FeLV. Treatment with the archetypal BET protein bromodomain inhibitor (+)-JQ1 and FeLV challenge of two phenotypically disparate feline cell lines, 81C fibroblasts and 3201 lymphoma cells, significantly reduced FeLV proviral load, total FeLV DNA load, and p27 capsid protein expression at nonlethal concentrations. Moreover, significant decreases in FeLV proviral integration were documented in 81C and 3201 cells. These findings elucidate the importance of BET proteins for efficient FeLV replication, including proviral integration, and provide a potential target for treating FeLV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrick M. Moll
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Cheryl L. Swenson
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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11
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Versteegh H, Zandvliet MMJM, Feenstra LR, van der Steen FEMM, Teske E. Feline Lymphoma: Patient Characteristics and Response Outcome of the COP-Protocol in Cats with Malignant Lymphoma in The Netherlands. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2667. [PMID: 37627457 PMCID: PMC10451823 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline lymphoma is currently less commonly associated with retrovirus infections as the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This is thought to have caused a shift in the distribution of anatomical subtypes and eventually have led to poorer treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this change was also notable in the Netherlands, a country historically known for its low prevalence of FeLV and FIV, and to determine its consequences on treatment response. A 10-year cohort of 174 cats with large cell lymphoma (110 treated) were included and compared to historical data from previously published reports in the Netherlands. Of the 90 cats screened, only one tested positive for FeLV and three for FIV. The most current cohort had an increased age (median 8.7 years) and fever Siamese cats (6.3%) compared to previous reports, with alimentary (24.5%) and nasopharyngeal lymphoma (22.7%) being the most common subtypes. Sixty-six of the one hundred and ten cats (60%) went into complete remission, (CR) resulting in a median disease-free period (DFP) of 763 days, with nasopharyngeal and mediastinal having the longest DFP. The median overall survival time was 274 days with an estimated 1-year survival of 41.3% and a 2-year survival of 34.6%, respectively. Patient characteristics of cats with malignant lymphoma in the Netherlands have changed over the years, but this cannot be explained by differences in FeLV/FIV prevalence. Although the overall response rate to therapy did not change over time, for some lymphoma subtypes, longer DFPs were observed compared to 30 years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Versteegh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.M.J.M.Z.); (L.R.F.); (F.E.M.M.v.d.S.); (E.T.)
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12
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Giselbrecht J, Jähne S, Bergmann M, Meli ML, Pineroli B, Boenzli E, Teichmann-Knorrn S, Zablotski Y, Pennisi MG, Layachi N, Serra R, Bo S, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Hartmann K. Prevalence of Different Courses of Feline Leukaemia Virus Infection in Four European Countries. Viruses 2023; 15:1718. [PMID: 37632060 PMCID: PMC10459464 DOI: 10.3390/v15081718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prevalence of progressive feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection is known to still be high in cats in Europe, especially in Southern Europe, but the prevalence of other outcomes of FeLV infection has not been determined in most countries. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of progressive, regressive, abortive, and focal infection in four European countries, two with a high (Italy, Portugal) and two with a low expected prevalence (Germany, France). Blood samples of 934 cats (Italy: 269; Portugal: 240; France: 107; Germany: 318) were evaluated for the p27 antigen, as well as anti-whole virus, anti-SU, and anti-p15E antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum and for proviral DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in whole blood. Positive p27 antigen ELISA results were confirmed by reverse transcriptase-qPCR (RT-qPCR) detecting viral RNA in saliva swabs and/or blood. The outcome of FeLV infection was categorised as progressive (antigen-positive, provirus-positive), regressive (antigen-negative, provirus-positive), abortive (antigen- and provirus-negative, antibody-positive), and focal (antigen-positive, provirus-negative) infection. Overall FeLV prevalence was 21.2% in Italy, 20.4% in Portugal, 9.5% in Germany, and 9.3% in France. Prevalence of progressive, regressive, abortive, and focal infection in Italy was 7.8%, 4.5%, 6.3%, and 2.6%; in Portugal 3.8%, 8.3%, 6.7%, and 1.7%; in Germany 1.9%, 1.3%, 3.5%, and 2.8%; in France 1.9%, 3.7%, 2.8%, and 0.9%, respectively. In conclusion, overall FeLV prevalence is still very high, especially in Southern European countries. Therefore, testing, separation of infected cats, and vaccination are still important measures to reduce the risk of FeLV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Giselbrecht
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.J.); (M.B.); (Y.Z.); (K.H.)
| | - Stéphanie Jähne
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.J.); (M.B.); (Y.Z.); (K.H.)
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.J.); (M.B.); (Y.Z.); (K.H.)
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Centre for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (B.P.); (E.B.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Benita Pineroli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Centre for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (B.P.); (E.B.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Eva Boenzli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Centre for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (B.P.); (E.B.); (R.H.-L.)
| | | | - Yury Zablotski
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.J.); (M.B.); (Y.Z.); (K.H.)
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Serra
- Investigacao Veterinaria Independente, 1700-119 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Stefano Bo
- Ambulatorio Veterinario Bo-Ferro, 10123 Turin, Italy;
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Centre for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (B.P.); (E.B.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.J.); (M.B.); (Y.Z.); (K.H.)
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13
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de Almeida JCN, de Carvalho HCT, Gila LI, Martins NB, Szabó MPJ, da Hora AS. Use of selected samples to diagnose a tricky feline viral disease in a cat with uveitis and neurological signs. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2023; 45:e001223. [PMID: 37521360 PMCID: PMC10374292 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm001223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This case involved a 2-year-old neutered male domestic mixed-breed cat that was rescued from the street eight months earlier. The animal presented with weakness, hyporexia, progressive weight loss, fatigue, uveitis, pale mucous membranes, dehydration (7%), and pelvic limb paresis. Aqueous humor was collected for molecular analysis for the differential diagnosis of potential etiological agents [Feline coronavirus (FCoV), Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptococcus spp., Felid herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and Bartonella spp.] of feline uveitis. The sample was positive by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for FCoV and RT-qPCR and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for FeLV and qPCR FIV. The cat was euthanized due to poor clinical outcomes and prognosis. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was collected and tested, and the same pathogens were found in the aqueous humor. Small-cell follicular multicenter lymphoma and multifocal pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis were observed upon histopathological analysis. In this study, aqueous humor and cerebrospinal fluid samples were efficient for the detection of coinfection with FIV, FeLV, and FCoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Cesar Neves de Almeida
- Veterinarian, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias (PPGCV), Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU). Umuarama, Umuarama, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Lana Isabella Gila
- Veterinarian, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias (PPGCV), Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU). Umuarama, Umuarama, MG, Brazil
| | - Nathana Beatriz Martins
- Veterinarian, MSc., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias (PPGCV), Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU). Umuarama, Umuarama, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Aline Santana da Hora
- Veterinarian, DSc. Laboratório de Investigação Etiológica Veterinária UFU. Umuarama, Umuarama, MG, Brazil
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14
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Kornya M, Bienzle D, Beeler-Marfisi J. Discordant FeLV p27 immunoassay and PCR test results in 21 cats with hematologic disorders. J Feline Med Surg 2023; 25:1098612X231183297. [PMID: 37439634 PMCID: PMC10812061 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x231183297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
CASE SERIES SUMMARY A total of 1692 medical records from a primary care feline practice and a veterinary referral hospital were evaluated retrospectively to assess discordant feline leukemia virus (FeLV) test results. In total, 73 cats were positive for FeLV using serum in a lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) or laboratory-based ELISA. Of these cats, 21 subsequently tested negative for FeLV proviral DNA by non-quantitative PCR on EDTA whole blood (16/21, 76.2%), bone marrow (4/21, 19%) or both (1/21, 4.7%). The proportional morbidity (an estimate of prevalence in a sample of the total population) for FeLV by LFI/ELISA and PCR assays was 3.1%, consistent with that reported in previous studies for cats in North America. Cats with discordant LFI/ELISA and PCR results had either primary bone marrow disease (18 autoimmune, one neoplastic), a bone marrow insult (hemotrophic mycoplasmosis) or systemic inflammation (pyothorax with a marked neutrophilic leukocytosis). The percentage of cats with a positive LFA/ELISA result and negative PCR assay surviving to discharge was 85.7% (18/21). Of these, 88.9% (16/18) survived 4 months to 6 years. Seven cats (33.3%) were re-tested with LFI or ELISA once primary disease was controlled, and all tested negative. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION These findings indicate that in cats with bone marrow disease that shares features of progressive FeLV infection, positive LFI and ELISA FeLV test results should be followed up with FeLV proviral DNA PCR testing, particularly in populations where disease prevalence is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Kornya
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Dorothee Bienzle
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Janet Beeler-Marfisi
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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15
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Westman ME, Giselbrecht J, Norris JM, Malik R, Green J, Burton-Bradley E, Cheang A, Meili T, Meli ML, Hartmann K, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Field Performance of a Rapid Test to Detect Progressive, Regressive, and Abortive Feline Leukemia Virus Infections in Domestic Cats in Australia and Germany. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020491. [PMID: 36851705 PMCID: PMC9967048 DOI: 10.3390/v15020491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Different feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection outcomes are possible in cats following natural exposure, such as progressive infections (persistent viremia), regressive infections (transient or no viremia followed by proviral persistence) and abortive infections (presence of only antibodies). Laboratory-based testing is currently required for categorization of infection outcomes in cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the field performance of a novel, rapid, combination point-of-care (PoC) test kit commercially available in Europe (v-RetroFel®Ag/Ab; 2020-2021 version) to determine different FeLV infection outcomes by concurrent detection of FeLV antigen (p27) and antibodies against FeLV transmembrane envelope protein (p15E). A secondary aim was to evaluate the performance of the same test kit (v-RetroFel®FIV) to determine positive/negative feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection status by the detection of antibodies to FIV capsid protein (p24) and transmembrane glycoprotein (gp40). Two cohorts of domestic cats were recruited and tested with v-RetroFel® using plasma or serum, including cats in Australia (n = 200) and cats in Germany (n = 170). Results from p27 antigen PoC testing, proviral DNA PCR, and neutralizing antibody testing or testing for antibodies against non-glycosylated surface unit envelope protein (p45) were used to assign cats to groups according to different FeLV infection outcomes. Testing with a laboratory-based FeLV p15E antibody ELISA was also performed for comparison. In the first cohort, v-RetroFel®Ag/Ab correctly identified 89% (109/122) FeLV-unexposed cats and 91% (21/23) progressive infections, but no regressive (0/23) or abortive (0/32) infections. In the second cohort, v-RetroFel®Ag/Ab correctly identified 94% (148/158) FeLV-unexposed cats and 100% (4/4) progressive infections, but no regressive (0/2) and only 17% (1/6) abortive infections. There was test agreement between v-RetroFel®Ab and the p15E laboratory ELISA in 58.9% of samples. As a secondary outcome of this study, the sensitivity and specificity of v-RetroFel®FIV testing in cohort 1 were 94.7% (18/19) and 98.3% (178/181), and in cohort 2, 30.0% (3/10) and 100.0% (160/160), respectively. Prior history of FIV vaccination did not produce any false-positive FIV results. In conclusion, v-RetroFel®Ag/Ab (2020-2021 version) was unable to accurately determine different FeLV infection outcomes in the field. Improvements of the test prior to application to field samples are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Westman
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Juliana Giselbrecht
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, The University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline M. Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- School of Veterinary and Animal Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Jennifer Green
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Elle Burton-Bradley
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ashley Cheang
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Theres Meili
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, The University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, The University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, The University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Canto-Valdés MC, Bolio González ME, Acevedo-Jiménez GE, Ramírez Álvarez H. What role do endogenous retroviruses play in domestic cats infected with feline leukaemia virus? N Z Vet J 2023. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2022.2131648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- MC Canto-Valdés
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - ME Bolio González
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - GE Acevedo-Jiménez
- Virology, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Higher Education Cuautitlán, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | - H Ramírez Álvarez
- Virology, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Higher Education Cuautitlán, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
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Acevedo-Jiménez GE, Sarmiento-Silva RE, Alonso-Morales RA, Córdova-Ponce R, Ramírez-Álvarez H. Detection and genetic characterization of feline retroviruses in domestic cats with different clinical signs and hematological alterations. Arch Virol 2023. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1007/s00705-022-05627-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Yamakawa AC, Haisi A, Kmetiuk LB, Pellizzaro M, Mendes JCR, Canavessi AMO, Ullmann LS, de Castro WAC, Pessoa Araújo Júnior J, dos Santos AP, Biondo AW. Molecular detection of feline hemoplasmas and retroviruses in free-roaming and shelter cats within a university campus. JFMS Open Rep 2023; 9:20551169221148672. [PMID: 37223406 PMCID: PMC10201909 DOI: 10.1177/20551169221148672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of hemoplasma, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections in cats living in an on-campus shelter and free-roaming cats within a university campus in Brazil. Methods Blood samples were tested using quantitative PCR for hemoplasma, FIV and FeLV. Positive hemoplasma samples were sequenced. Associations between hemoplasma detection and living situation, sex, flea and/or tick parasitism, and coinfection with FIV and FeLV, were assessed using Fisher's exact test and the respective odds ratios were calculated. Results Overall, 6/45 (13.3%) cats tested positive: four (8.9%) were infected with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and two (4.4%) with Mycoplasma haemofelis. All positive samples were from free-roaming cats (6/15; 40.0%) and had statistically significantly lower packed cell volumes (P = 0.037). Although 5/23 (21.7%) males and 1/22 (4.6%) females were positive, no statistically significant association between sex and hemoplasma infection was found (P = 0.19). Viral quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed on 43/45 samples, among which 2/43 (4.7%) were positive for FIV and none for FeLV. Only one cat (2.3%) was coinfected with hemoplasma and FIV (P = 0.26). In addition, 4/6 (66.7%) cats that tested positive for hemoplasmas were infested by fleas (P = 0.0014) and/or ticks (P = 0.25). Conclusions and relevance These results show that even if the free-roaming cat population is clinically healthy and has adequate access to food, it may present flea infestation and hemoplasma infection with lower packed cell volume values.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Haisi
- Biotechnology Institute, São Paulo
State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular
Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), R dos Funcionários, Curitiba, PR,
Brazil
| | - Maysa Pellizzaro
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal
University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Wagner Antônio Chiba de Castro
- Latin-American Institute of Life and
Nature Sciences, Federal University for Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu,
PR, Brazil
| | | | | | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular
Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), R dos Funcionários, Curitiba, PR,
Brazil
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology,
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Detection and genetic characterization of feline retroviruses in domestic cats with different clinical signs and hematological alterations. Arch Virol 2023; 168:2. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05627-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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20
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Santos CRGR, Ferreira IT, Beranger R, Santi JP, Jardim MPDB, de Souza HJM. Undetectable proviral DNA and viral RNA levels after raltegravir administration in two cats with natural feline leukemia virus infection. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2022; 44:e003522. [PMID: 36324639 PMCID: PMC9622269 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection was discovered over 50 years ago; however, the serious clinical changes associated with FeLV infection still have great importance in the diagnosis, prevention, and clinical management of symptomatic patients. Progressive infection with FeLV leads to a reduction in the patient's life expectancy and quality of life. This report describes the use of an antiretroviral integrase inhibitor, raltegravir, in two cats with natural FeLV infection. Raltegravir was administered orally at a dose of 40 mg/cat every 12 h in both cases. In case one, 13 weeks after starting raltegravir, RNA loads were undetectable, while proviral DNA loads were still detectable. In case two, proviral DNA loads were undetectable after 32 weeks of medication, while RNA loads were undetectable throughout the treatment. No adverse effects or laboratory test abnormalities were detected with the use of raltegravir in either patient. The patients are currently clinically healthy, still receiving the drug, and are under close observation. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of raltegravir in naturally infected FeLV-positive cats and its effects on circulating viral load. Moreover, the patients described here were followed-up for a longer period than those in previously reported cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Regina Gomes Rodrigues Santos
- Veterinarian, MSc. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária (PPGMV), Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária (DMCV), Instituto de Veterinária (IV), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). Seropédica, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.,Correspondence Carla Regina Gomes Rodrigues Santos Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária (DMCV), Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ Rodovia BR 465, Km 7, Campus Universitário, Bairro Zona Rural CEP 23897-000 - Seropédica (RJ), Brasil E-mail: Tel: +55 (21) 96469-2559
| | | | | | - Julia Possebon Santi
- Veterinarian, Resident. Programa de Residência em Medicina Veterinária – Clínica Médica dos Gatos Domésticos, DMCV, IV, UFRRJ. Seropédica, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Palha de Brito Jardim
- Veterinarian, MSc. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária (PPGMV), Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária (DMCV), Instituto de Veterinária (IV), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). Seropédica, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
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Canto-Valdés MC, Bolio González ME, Acevedo Jiménez GE, Ramírez Álvarez H. What role do endogenous retroviruses play in domestic cats infected with feline leukaemia virus? N Z Vet J 2022; 71:1-7. [PMID: 36178295 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2022.2131648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFeline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects domestic and wild cats around the world. FeLV infection is associated with the development of neoplasms, bone marrow disorders and immunosuppression. Viral subgroups arise from mutations in the FeLV genome or from recombination of FeLV with ancestral endogenous retroviruses in the cat genome. The retroviral endogenisation process has allowed generation of a diversity of endogenous viruses, both functional and defective. These elements may be part of the normal functioning of the feline genome and may also interact with FeLV to form recombinant FeLV subgroups, enhance pathogenicity of viral subgroups, or inhibit and/or regulate other retroviral infections. Recombination of the env gene occurs most frequently and appears to be the most significant in terms of both the quantity and diversification of pathogenic effects in the viral population, as well as affecting cell tropism and types of disease that occur in infected cats. This review focuses on available information regarding genetic diversity, pathogenesis and diagnosis of FeLV as a result of the interaction between endogenous and exogenous viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Canto-Valdés
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - M E Bolio González
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - G E Acevedo Jiménez
- Virology, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Higher Education Cuautitlán, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuautitlán Izcalli, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - H Ramírez Álvarez
- Virology, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Higher Education Cuautitlán, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuautitlán Izcalli, State of Mexico, Mexico
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22
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Piewbang C, Wardhani SW, Phongroop K, Lohavicharn P, Sirivisoot S, Kasantikul T, Techangamsuwan S. Naturally acquired feline bocavirus type 1 and 3 infections in cats with neurologic deficits. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3076-e3087. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chutchai Piewbang
- Department of Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
| | - Sabrina Wahyu Wardhani
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
- The International Graduate course of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST) Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
| | - Kannika Phongroop
- Department of Companion Animal and Wildlife Clinic Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand
| | - Pattiya Lohavicharn
- Department of Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
| | - Sirintra Sirivisoot
- Department of Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
| | - Tanit Kasantikul
- Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center Clemson University Columbia South Carolina 29229 United States of America
| | - Somporn Techangamsuwan
- Department of Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group Faculty of Veterinary Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 Thailand
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23
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Meli ML, Spiri AM, Zwicklbauer K, Krentz D, Felten S, Bergmann M, Dorsch R, Matiasek K, Alberer M, Kolberg L, von Both U, Hartmann K, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Fecal Feline Coronavirus RNA Shedding and Spike Gene Mutations in Cats with Feline Infectious Peritonitis Treated with GS-441524. Viruses 2022; 14:v14051069. [PMID: 35632813 PMCID: PMC9147249 DOI: 10.3390/v14051069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As previously demonstrated by our research group, the oral multicomponent drug Xraphconn® containing GS-441524 was effective at curing otherwise fatal feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in 18 feline coronavirus (FCoV)-infected cats. The aims of the current study were to investigate, using samples from the same animals as in the previous study, (1) the effect of treatment on fecal viral RNA shedding; (2) the presence of spike gene mutations in different body compartments of these cats; and (3) viral RNA shedding, presence of spike gene mutations, and anti-FCoV antibody titers in samples of 12 companion cats cohabitating with the treated cats. Eleven of the eighteen treated FIP cats (61%) were shedding FCoV RNA in feces within the first three days after treatment initiation, but all of them tested negative by day 6. In one of these cats, fecal shedding reoccurred on day 83. Two cats initially negative in feces were transiently positive 1–4 weeks into the study. The remaining five cats never shed FCoV. Viral RNA loads in feces decreased with time comparable with those in blood and effusion. Specific spike gene mutations linked to systemic FCoV spread were consistently found in blood and effusion from treated FIP cats, but not in feces from treated or companion cats. A new mutation that led to a not yet described amino acid change was identified, indicating that further mutations may be involved in the development of FIP. Eight of the twelve companion cats shed FCoV in feces. All but one of the twelve companion cats had anti-FCoV antibodies. Oral treatment with GS-441524 effectively decreased viral RNA loads in feces, blood, and effusion in cats with FIP. Nonetheless, re-shedding can most likely occur if cats are re-exposed to FCoV by their companion cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.M.S.); (R.H.-L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea M. Spiri
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.M.S.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Katharina Zwicklbauer
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, D-80539 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (D.K.); (S.F.); (M.B.); (R.D.); (K.H.)
| | - Daniela Krentz
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, D-80539 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (D.K.); (S.F.); (M.B.); (R.D.); (K.H.)
| | - Sandra Felten
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, D-80539 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (D.K.); (S.F.); (M.B.); (R.D.); (K.H.)
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, D-80539 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (D.K.); (S.F.); (M.B.); (R.D.); (K.H.)
| | - Roswitha Dorsch
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, D-80539 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (D.K.); (S.F.); (M.B.); (R.D.); (K.H.)
| | - Kaspar Matiasek
- Section of Clinical & Comparative Neuropathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, D-80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Martin Alberer
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU-Munich, D-80337 Munich, Germany; (M.A.); (L.K.); (U.v.B.)
| | - Laura Kolberg
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU-Munich, D-80337 Munich, Germany; (M.A.); (L.K.); (U.v.B.)
| | - Ulrich von Both
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU-Munich, D-80337 Munich, Germany; (M.A.); (L.K.); (U.v.B.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, D-80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, D-80539 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (D.K.); (S.F.); (M.B.); (R.D.); (K.H.)
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.M.S.); (R.H.-L.)
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24
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Kuhlmeier E, Chan T, Klaus J, Pineroli B, Geisser E, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Meli ML. A Pre- and Within-Pandemic Survey of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Saliva Swabs from Stray Cats in Switzerland. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040681. [PMID: 35458411 PMCID: PMC9024816 DOI: 10.3390/v14040681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cats have been shown to be highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, and transmission within the species has been demonstrated experimentally. In cats undergoing natural SARS-CoV-2 infections, human-to-animal transmission was mostly suspected. It can be postulated that, in stray cats with no or only minimal contact with humans, SARS-CoV-2 may pose a minor risk. The current study investigated the prevalence of active SARS-CoV-2 infections in Swiss stray cats using quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Saliva swabs from 1405 stray cats were collected in 14 Swiss cantons. The animals were sampled between February 2019 and February 2020 (pre-COVID-19 cohort: 523 cats) and between February 2020 and August 2021 (COVID-19 cohort: 882 cats). All the samples were tested by RT-qPCR, amplifying the envelope (E) gene and, in case of positive or inconclusive results, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of SARS-CoV-2. No SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA could be detected in any of the tested saliva swab samples. Our findings support the assumption that SARS-CoV-2 infections in stray cats are not highly prevalent in Switzerland. Nevertheless, the monitoring of stray cats and other susceptible animal species is necessary, since the “One Health” approach has been recognized as being essential to successfully fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Kuhlmeier
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.C.); (J.K.); (B.P.); (R.H.-L.); (M.L.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-79-869-4162
| | - Tatjana Chan
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.C.); (J.K.); (B.P.); (R.H.-L.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Julia Klaus
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.C.); (J.K.); (B.P.); (R.H.-L.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Benita Pineroli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.C.); (J.K.); (B.P.); (R.H.-L.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Esther Geisser
- NetAP—Network for Animal Protection, Vogelsangstrasse 32, 8133 Esslingen, Switzerland;
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.C.); (J.K.); (B.P.); (R.H.-L.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.C.); (J.K.); (B.P.); (R.H.-L.); (M.L.M.)
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25
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Szilasi A, Koltai Z, Dénes L, Balka G, Mándoki M. In Situ Hybridization of Feline Leukemia Virus in a Case of Osteochondromatosis. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020059. [PMID: 35202311 PMCID: PMC8878754 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteochondromatosis, also known as multiple cartilaginous exostosis, polyostotic osteochondroma, and multiple osteochondromas, comprises one-fifth of all primary bone tumors in cats, with no breed or sex predisposition or hereditary pattern. Unlike in dogs, horses, and humans, it is predominantly seen in young cats (2–4 years old), after the maturation of the skeleton. Although the pathogenesis of osteochondromatosis is not fully understood, it is considered to be related to infection by feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or other retroviruses, such as the feline sarcoma virus. However, the presence of viral particles within tumor lesions has only been demonstrated by electron microscopy. The malignant transformation of osteochondromas, most typically to osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma, has also been attributed to the viral infection. Here we report the case of osteochondromatosis in a 3.5-year-old male domestic European shorthair cat with concurrent FeLV infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Viral RNA was visualized in representative tissues (spleen, mesenteric lymph node, liver, kidney, lung, brain) and in the osteochondromas with RNAscope in situ hybridization, which supports that FeLV infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteochondromatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szilasi
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (L.D.); (M.M.)
| | | | - Lilla Dénes
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (L.D.); (M.M.)
| | - Gyula Balka
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (L.D.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-1-478-41-81
| | - Míra Mándoki
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (L.D.); (M.M.)
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26
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Willi B, Meli ML, Cafarelli C, Gilli UO, Kipar A, Hubbuch A, Riond B, Howard J, Schaarschmidt D, Regli W, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Cytauxzoon europaeus infections in domestic cats in Switzerland and in European wildcats in France: a tale that started more than two decades ago. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:19. [PMID: 34998440 PMCID: PMC8742954 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytauxzoon spp. infection is believed to be a newly emerging tick-borne disease in felids in Europe, with three species of the haemoparasite having recently been differentiated in wild felids. In Switzerland, rare infections have been documented in domestic cats in the west and northwest of the country, the first of which was in 2014. The aims of the present study were: (i) to characterize a Cytauxzoon spp. hotspot in domestic cats in central Switzerland; (ii) to elucidate the geographic distribution of Cytauxzoon spp. in domestic cats in Switzerland; (iii) to assess suspected high-risk populations, such as stray and anaemic cats; and (iv) to investigate the newly emerging nature of the infection. Cytauxzoon spp. were further differentiated using mitochondrial gene sequencing. METHODS The overall study included samples from 13 cats from two households in central Switzerland (study A), 881 cats from all regions of Switzerland (study B), 91 stray cats from a hotspot region in the northwest of Switzerland and 501 anaemic cats from across Switzerland (study C), and 65 Swiss domestic cats sampled in 2003 and 34 European wildcats from eastern France sampled in the period 1995-1996 (study D). The samples were analysed for Cytauxzoon spp. using real-time TaqMan quantitative PCR, and positive samples were subjected to 18S rRNA, cytochrome b (CytB) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequencing. RESULTS In study A, six of 13 cats from two neighbouring households in central Switzerland tested postive for Cytauxzoon spp.; two of the six infected cats died from bacterial infections. In studies B and C, only one of the 881 cats (0.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0-0.3%) in the countrywide survey and one of the 501 anaemic cats (0.2%; 95% CI: 0-0.6%) tested postive for Cytauxzoon spp. while eight of the 91 stray cats in the northwest of Switzerland tested positive (8.8%; 95% CI: 3.0-14.6%). In study D, Cytauxzoon spp. was detected in one of the 65 domestic cat samples from 2003 (1.5%; 95% CI: 0-4.5%) and in ten of the 34 European wildcat samples from 1995 to 1996 (29%; 95% CI: 14.2-44.7%). The isolates showed ≥ 98.6% sequence identities among the 18S rRNA, CytB and COI genes, respectively, and fell in the subclade Cytauxzoon europaeus based on CytB and COI gene phylogenetic analyses. CONCLUSIONS The study challenges the newly emerging nature of Cytauxzoon spp. in central Europe and confirms that isolates from domestic cats in Switzerland and European wild felids belong to the same species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Willi
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department for Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Cafarelli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs O Gilli
- IDEXX Diavet Laboratories, Bäch, Switzerland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alina Hubbuch
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department for Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Riond
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Judith Howard
- Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Rapid characterization of feline leukemia virus infective stages by a novel nested recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and reverse transcriptase-RPA. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22023. [PMID: 34764397 PMCID: PMC8586258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01585-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a major viral disease in cats, causing leukemia and lymphoma. The molecular detection of FeLV RNA and the DNA provirus are important for staging of the disease. However, the rapid immunochromatographic assay commonly used for antigen detection can only detect viremia at the progressive stage. In this study, nested recombinase polymerase amplification (nRPA) was developed for exogenous FeLV DNA provirus detection, and reverse transcriptase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) was developed for the detection of FeLV RNA. The approaches were validated using 108 cats with clinicopathologic abnormalities due to FeLV infection, and from 14 healthy cats in a vaccination plan. The nRPA and RT-RPA assays could rapidly amplify the FeLV template, and produced high sensitivity and specificity. The FeLV detection rate in regression cats by nRPA was increased up to 45.8% compared to the rapid immunochromatographic assay. Hence, FeLV diagnosis using nRPA and RT-RPA are rapid and easily established in low resource settings, benefiting FeLV prognosis, prevention, and control of both horizontal and vertical transmission.
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Kieslinger M, Swoboda A, Kramer N, Freund P, Pratscher B, Neubauer HA, Steinborn R, Wolfesberger B, Fuchs-Baumgartinger A, Moriggl R, Burgener IA. A Recurrent STAT5BN642H Driver Mutation in Feline Alimentary T Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5238. [PMID: 34680385 PMCID: PMC8534107 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alimentary lymphomas arising from T cells are rare and aggressive malignancies in humans. In comparison, they represent the most common anatomical form of lymphoma in cats. Due to the low prevalence in humans, the underlying pathomechanism for these diseases is poorly characterised, limiting experimental analysis and therapeutic exploration. To date, activating mutations of the JAK/STAT core cancer pathway and particularly the STAT5B oncoprotein have been identified in human enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma. Here, we describe a high homology of human and feline STAT3 and STAT5B proteins and strong conservation at the genomic level. Analysis of 42 samples of feline T cell alimentary lymphoma reveals broad activation of STAT3 and STAT5B. Screening for known activating mutations in STAT3 or STAT5B identifies the presence of the STAT5BN642H driver mutation in feline enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma in 7 out of 42 (16.67%) samples in total. Regarding lymphoma subtypes, the majority of mutations with 5 out of 17 (29.41%) cases were found in feline enteropathy-associated lymphoma type II (EATL II). This identification of an oncogenic STAT5B driver mutation in felines recapitulates the genetic situation in the corresponding human disease, thereby establishing the cat as a potential new model for a rare and incurable human T cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kieslinger
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (N.K.); (P.F.); (B.P.); (B.W.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Alexander Swoboda
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (N.K.); (P.F.); (B.P.); (B.W.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Nina Kramer
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (N.K.); (P.F.); (B.P.); (B.W.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Patricia Freund
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (N.K.); (P.F.); (B.P.); (B.W.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Barbara Pratscher
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (N.K.); (P.F.); (B.P.); (B.W.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Heidi A. Neubauer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (H.A.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Ralf Steinborn
- Genomics Core Facility, VetCore, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Birgitt Wolfesberger
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (N.K.); (P.F.); (B.P.); (B.W.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Andrea Fuchs-Baumgartinger
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (H.A.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Iwan A. Burgener
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (N.K.); (P.F.); (B.P.); (B.W.); (I.A.B.)
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Adeno-Associated Vector-Delivered CRISPR/ SaCas9 System Reduces Feline Leukemia Virus Production In Vitro. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081636. [PMID: 34452500 PMCID: PMC8402633 DOI: 10.3390/v13081636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus of cats worldwide. High viral loads are associated with progressive infection and the death of the host, due to FeLV-associated disease. In contrast, low viral loads, an effective immune response, and a better clinical outcome can be observed in cats with regressive infection. We hypothesize that by lowering viral loads in progressively infected cats, using CRISPR/SaCas9-assisted gene therapy, the cat’s immune system may be permitted to direct the infection towards a regressive outcome. In a step towards this goal, the present study evaluates different adeno-associated vectors (AAVs) for their competence in delivering a gene editing system into feline cells, followed by investigations of the CRISPR/SaCas9 targeting efficiency for different sites within the FeLV provirus. Nine natural AAV serotypes, two AAV hybrid strains, and Anc80L65, an in silico predicted AAV ancestor, were tested for their potential to infect different feline cell lines and feline primary cells. AAV-DJ revealed superior infection efficiency and was thus employed in subsequent transduction experiments. The introduction of double-strand breaks, using the CRISPR/SaCas9 system targeting 12 selected FeLV provirus sites, was confirmed by T7 endonuclease 1 (T7E1), as well as Tracking of Indels by Decomposition (TIDE) analysis. The highest percentage (up to 80%) of nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) was found in the highly conserved gag and pol regions. Subsequent transduction experiments, using AAV-DJ, confirmed indel formation and showed a significant reduction in FeLV p27 antigen for some targets. The targeting of the FeLV provirus was efficient when using the CRISPR/SaCas9 approach in vitro. Whether the observed extent of provirus targeting will be sufficient to provide progressively FeLV-infected cats with the means to overcome the infection needs to be further investigated in vivo.
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Aida V, Pliasas VC, Neasham PJ, North JF, McWhorter KL, Glover SR, Kyriakis CS. Novel Vaccine Technologies in Veterinary Medicine: A Herald to Human Medicine Vaccines. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:654289. [PMID: 33937377 PMCID: PMC8083957 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.654289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The success of inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines has enhanced livestock productivity, promoted food security, and attenuated the morbidity and mortality of several human, animal, and zoonotic diseases. However, these traditional vaccine technologies are not without fault. The efficacy of inactivated vaccines can be suboptimal with particular pathogens and safety concerns arise with live-attenuated vaccines. Additionally, the rate of emerging infectious diseases continues to increase and with that the need to quickly deploy new vaccines. Unfortunately, first generation vaccines are not conducive to such urgencies. Within the last three decades, veterinary medicine has spearheaded the advancement in novel vaccine development to circumvent several of the flaws associated with classical vaccines. These third generation vaccines, including DNA, RNA and recombinant viral-vector vaccines, induce both humoral and cellular immune response, are economically manufactured, safe to use, and can be utilized to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals. The present article offers a review of commercially available novel vaccine technologies currently utilized in companion animal, food animal, and wildlife disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Aida
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-University of Georgia (UGA) Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Vasilis C. Pliasas
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-University of Georgia (UGA) Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Peter J. Neasham
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-University of Georgia (UGA) Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Auburn, AL, United States
| | - J. Fletcher North
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-University of Georgia (UGA) Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Kirklin L. McWhorter
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sheniqua R. Glover
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-University of Georgia (UGA) Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Constantinos S. Kyriakis
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-University of Georgia (UGA) Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Auburn, AL, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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Klaus J, Meli ML, Willi B, Nadeau S, Beisel C, Stadler T, Egberink H, Zhao S, Lutz H, Riond B, Rösinger N, Stalder H, Renzullo S, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Detection and Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in a Domestic Cat with Respiratory Signs in Switzerland. Viruses 2021; 13:496. [PMID: 33802899 PMCID: PMC8002591 DOI: 10.3390/v13030496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in late 2019, domestic cats have been demonstrated to be susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) under natural and experimental conditions. As pet cats often live in very close contact with their owners, it is essential to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats in a One-Health context. This study reports the first SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cat in a COVID-19-affected household in Switzerland. The cat (Cat 1) demonstrated signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, including sneezing, inappetence, and apathy, while the cohabiting cat (Cat 2) remained asymptomatic. Nasal, oral, fecal, fur, and environmental swab samples were collected twice from both cats and analyzed by RT-qPCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Both nasal swabs from Cat 1 tested positive. In addition, the first oral swab from Cat 2 and fur and bedding swabs from both cats were RT-qPCR positive. The fecal swabs tested negative. The infection of Cat 1 was confirmed by positive SARS-CoV-2 S1 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody testing and neutralizing activity in a surrogate assay. The viral genome sequence from Cat 1, obtained by next generation sequencing, showed the closest relation to a human sequence from the B.1.1.39 lineage, with one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) difference. This study demonstrates not only SARS-CoV-2 infection of a cat from a COVID-19-affected household but also contamination of the cats' fur and bed with viral RNA. Our results are important to create awareness that SARS-CoV-2 infected people should observe hygienic measures to avoid infection and contamination of animal cohabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Klaus
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Barbara Willi
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.W.); (N.R.)
| | - Sarah Nadeau
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.N.); (C.B.); (T.S.)
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Beisel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.N.); (C.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Tanja Stadler
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.N.); (C.B.); (T.S.)
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Herman Egberink
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (S.Z.)
| | - Shan Zhao
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (S.Z.)
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Barbara Riond
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Nina Rösinger
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.W.); (N.R.)
| | - Hanspeter Stalder
- Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland; (H.S.); (S.R.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Renzullo
- Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland; (H.S.); (S.R.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
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Beall MJ, Buch J, Clark G, Estrada M, Rakitin A, Hamman NT, Frenden MK, Jefferson EP, Amirian ES, Levy JK. Feline Leukemia Virus p27 Antigen Concentration and Proviral DNA Load Are Associated with Survival in Naturally Infected Cats. Viruses 2021; 13:302. [PMID: 33671961 PMCID: PMC7919025 DOI: 10.3390/v13020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies of cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are important for understanding disease outcomes. Levels of p27 antigen and copy numbers of proviral DNA have been associated with FeLV-infection courses. The purpose of this prospective study was to establish cutoff values for p27 antigen concentration and proviral DNA load that distinguished high positive from low positive groups of cats and to evaluate an association with survival. At enrollment, 254 cats were tested by point-of-care and microtiter plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for p27 antigen and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for proviral DNA. The 127 positive cats were retested monthly for six months and monitored for survival over the four-year study. A receiver operating characteristic-based analysis of samples with concordant or discordant qualitative results for p27 antigen and proviral DNA was used to establish cutoff values, and when applied to test results at enrollment for classifying cats as high positive or low positive, a significant difference in survival was observed. High positive cats had a median survival of 1.37 years (95% CI 0.83-2.02) from time of enrollment, while most low positive cats were still alive (93.1% survival). Quantitative results for p27 antigen concentration and proviral DNA load were highly correlated with survival times in FeLV-infected cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J. Beall
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (J.B.); (G.C.); (M.E.); (A.R.)
| | - Jesse Buch
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (J.B.); (G.C.); (M.E.); (A.R.)
| | - Genevieve Clark
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (J.B.); (G.C.); (M.E.); (A.R.)
| | - Marko Estrada
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (J.B.); (G.C.); (M.E.); (A.R.)
| | - Andrei Rakitin
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (J.B.); (G.C.); (M.E.); (A.R.)
| | - Natascha T. Hamman
- Austin Pets Alive!, Austin, TX 78703, USA; (N.T.H.); (M.K.F.); (E.P.J.); (E.S.A.)
| | - Monica K. Frenden
- Austin Pets Alive!, Austin, TX 78703, USA; (N.T.H.); (M.K.F.); (E.P.J.); (E.S.A.)
| | - Ellen P. Jefferson
- Austin Pets Alive!, Austin, TX 78703, USA; (N.T.H.); (M.K.F.); (E.P.J.); (E.S.A.)
| | - E. Susan Amirian
- Austin Pets Alive!, Austin, TX 78703, USA; (N.T.H.); (M.K.F.); (E.P.J.); (E.S.A.)
| | - Julie K. Levy
- Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA;
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Feline leukemia virus in owned cats in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Vet Microbiol 2021; 254:109008. [PMID: 33582484 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus associated with fatal disease in cats with infection in its progressive form. Although there are numerous reports on the occurrence of FeLV in the feline population worldwide, there is a paucity of data in Asia. In this study, we assessed the circulation of FeLV by ELISA and nested PCR in cats from different countries in Southeast Asia (i.e., Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam) and Taiwan during 2017-2018. Forty-seven cats were positive to FeLV by antigen or provirus detection, but 32 samples were considered truly positive on the basis of positive molecular testing. Frequency of occurrence of FeLV proviral DNA ranged from 0% (0/43 positive samples) in Indonesia to 18.5% (22/119 positive samples) in Thailand. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between country of cats origin, age, lifestyle, abnormal oral mucosa, and FeLV molecular positive results. In-depth studies are needed in other countries in Southeast Asia to elucidate the mosaic of knowledge about FeLV epidemiology.
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Anti-SU Antibody Responses in Client-Owned Cats Following Vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus with Two Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccines (Fel-O-Vax ® Lv-K and Fel-O-Vax ® 5). Viruses 2021; 13:v13020240. [PMID: 33546485 PMCID: PMC7913631 DOI: 10.3390/v13020240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A field study undertaken in Australia compared the antibody responses induced in client-owned cats that had been vaccinated using two inactivated whole feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccines, the monovalent vaccine Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K and the polyvalent vaccine Fel-O-Vax® 5. Serum samples from 428 FeLV-uninfected cats (118 FeLV-vaccinated and 310 FeLV-unvaccinated) were tested for anti-FeLV neutralising antibodies (NAb) using a live virus neutralisation assay to identify 378 FeLV-unexposed (NAb-negative) and 50 FeLV-exposed (NAb-positive; abortive infections) cats, following by anti-surface unit (SU) FeLV-A and FeLV-B antibody ELISA testing. An additional 42 FeLV-infected cats (28 presumptively regressively infected, 14 presumptively progressively infected) were also tested for anti-SU antibodies. NAb-positive cats displayed significantly higher anti-SU antibody ELISA responses compared to NAb-negative cats (p < 0.001). FeLV-unexposed cats (NAb-negative) that had been vaccinated less than 18 months after a previous FeLV vaccination using the monovalent vaccine (Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K) displayed higher anti-SU antibody ELISA responses than a comparable group vaccinated with the polyvalent vaccine (Fel-O-Vax® 5) (p < 0.001 for both anti-FeLV-A and FeLV-B SU antibody responses). This difference in anti-SU antibody responses between cats vaccinated with the monovalent or polyvalent vaccine, however, was not observed in cats that had been naturally exposed to FeLV (NAb-positive) (p = 0.33). It was postulated that vaccination with Fel-O-Vax® 5 primed the humoral response prior to FeLV exposure, such that antibody production increased when the animal was challenged, while vaccination with Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K induced an immediate preparatory antibody response that did not quantitatively increase after FeLV exposure. These results raise questions about the comparable vaccine efficacy of the different FeLV vaccine formulations and correlates of protection.
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Szilasi A, Dénes L, Krikó E, Murray C, Mándoki M, Balka G. Prevalence of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in domestic cats in Ireland. Acta Vet Hung 2021; 68:413-420. [PMID: 33459612 DOI: 10.1556/004.2020.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses affecting felid species worldwide. A study was performed over a period of 5 months in Ireland with the aim to get an updated and more realistic prevalence of these retroviruses. A total of 183 EDTA-anticoagulated whole-blood samples were collected from cats distributed between 10 clinics. The samples were tested using both point-of-care enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Basic clinical data and vaccination history were also recorded for the sampled cats. The results of ELISA tests showed a prevalence of 10.4 and 3.3% for FIV and FeLV, respectively, and an apparent prevalence of 9.3% for FIV and 11.6% for FeLV with PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial polymerase (pol) gene sequences obtained from 8 FIV-positive strains showed that all but one of the Irish strains belonged to FIV subtype A, and one to subtype B. The overall mean genetic similarity between the analysed strains was 91.15%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szilasi
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Dénes
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Krikó
- 2Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Caoimhe Murray
- 3Suirside Veterinary Clinic, Townparks, Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
| | - Míra Mándoki
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyula Balka
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
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Insights into the genetic diversity, recombination, and systemic infections with evidence of intracellular maturation of hepadnavirus in cats. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241212. [PMID: 33095800 PMCID: PMC7584178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a human pathogen of global concern, while a high diversity of viruses related to HBV have been discovered in other animals during the last decade. Recently, the novel mammalian hepadnavirus, tentatively named domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), was detected in an immunocompromised cat. Herein, a collection of 209 cat sera and 15 hepato-diseased cats were screened for DCH using PCR, resulting in 12.4% and 20% positivity in the tested sera and necropsied cats, respectively. Among the DCH-positive sera, a significantly high level of co-detection with retroviral infection was found, with the highest proportion being co-detection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Full-length genome characterization of DCH revealed the genetic diversity between the nine Thai DCH sequences obtained, and that they phylogenetically formed three distinct monophyletic clades. A putative DCH recombinant strain was found, suggesting a possible role of recombination in DCH evolution. Additionally, quantitative PCR was used to determine the viral copy number in various organs of the DCH-moribund cats, while the pathological findings were compared to the viral localization in hepatocytes, adjacent to areas of hepatic fibrosis, by immunohistochemical (IHC) and western blot analysis. In addition to the liver, positive-DCH immunoreactivity was found in various other organs, including kidneys, lung, heart, intestine, brain, and lymph nodes, providing evidence of systemic infection. Ultrastructure of infected cells revealed electron-dense particles in the nucleus and cytoplasm of hepatocytes, bronchial epithelial cells, and fibroblasts. We propose the intracellular development mechanism of this virus. Although the definitive roles of pathogenicity of DCH remains undetermined, a contributory role of the virus associated with systemic diseases is possible.
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Abstract
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus of domestic cats worldwide. Cats lacking strong FeLV-specific immunity and undergoing progressive infection commonly develop fatal FeLV-associated disease. Many aspects of FeLV infection pathogenesis have been elucidated, some during more recent years using molecular techniques. It is recommended that the FeLV status of every cat is known, since FeLV infection can influence the prognosis and clinical management of every sick cat. Moreover, knowledge of a cat's FeLV status is of epidemiological importance to prevent further spread of the infection. CLINICAL CHALLENGES Diagnosing FeLV infection remains challenging due to different outcomes of infection, which can vary over time depending on the balance between the virus and the host's immune system. Furthermore, testing for FeLV infection has become more refined over the years and now includes diagnostic assays for different viral and immunological parameters. Knowledge of FeLV infection pathogenesis, as well as the particulars of FeLV detection methods, is an important prerequisite for correct interpretation of any test results and accurate determination of a cat's FeLV status. AIMS The current review presents recent knowledge on FeLV pathogenesis, key features to be determined in FeLV infection, and frequently used FeLV detection methods, and their characteristics and interpretation. An algorithm for the diagnosis of FeLV infection in a single cat, developed by the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases, is included, and FeLV testing in specific situations is addressed. As well as increasing awareness of this deadly infection in domestic cats, the aim is to contribute diagnostic expertise to allow veterinarians in practice to improve their recognition, and further reduce the prevalence, of FeLV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Prof, Dr med vet, FVH Professor of Laboratory Medicine, Director of Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Head of Clinical Laboratory and Centre for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Prof, Dr med vet, Dr habil, Dip ECVIM-CA (Internal Medicine) Professor of Internal Medicine, Head of Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Germany
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38
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Piewbang C, Chaiyasak S, Kongmakee P, Sanannu S, Khotapat P, Ratthanophart J, Banlunara W, Techangamsuwan S. Feline Morbillivirus Infection Associated With Tubulointerstitial Nephritis in Black Leopards (Panthera pardus). Vet Pathol 2020; 57:871-879. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985820948820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is an emerging RNA virus in the Paramyxoviridae family that was recently discovered in domestic cats ( Felis catus). To date, 2 genotypes (FeMV-1 and FeMV-2) have been detected in cats from various countries, and FeMV-1 is recognized as a pathogen associated with nephritis. However, information regarding the pathological roles and potential transmission to other felids is limited. In this article, we describe the identification of FeMV in 2 black leopards ( Panthera pardus) in Thailand that showed severe azotemia and tubulointerstitial nephritis. Molecular analysis of the partial coding sequence of the L gene revealed that these leopard FeMV strains were genetically close to the FeMV-1 isolate from domestic Thai cats. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses using polyclonal IgG antibodies against the FeMV matrix (M) protein showed FeMV-M antigen in renal tubular epithelial cells. These analyses also showed infiltrating lymphocytes in the renal parenchymal lesions and in the cytoplasm of lymphoid cells residing in the spleen, suggesting viral tropism and a possible pathological role. These findings are the first evidence that indicates that the black leopard could be a possible host for FeMV infection. As for other cats, the role of FeMV as a potential cause of renal disease remains to be established. The pathogenesis of FeMV infection in black leopards, or in other wild felids, through a viral transmission mechanism warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutchai Piewbang
- Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- These authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Surangkanang Chaiyasak
- Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- These authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Piyaporn Kongmakee
- The Zoological Park Organization under The Royal Patronage of H.M. The King, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Saowaphang Sanannu
- The Zoological Park Organization under The Royal Patronage of H.M. The King, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pornsuda Khotapat
- The Zoological Park Organization under The Royal Patronage of H.M. The King, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jadsada Ratthanophart
- National Institute of Animal Health, Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Thailand
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39
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Ferri F, Porporato F, Rossi F, Enache D, Callegari C, Gerardi G, Coppola LM, Contiero B, Crinò C, Kohan NR, Meli ML, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Zini E. Treatment with Class A CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides in Cats with Naturally Occurring Feline Parvovirus Infection: A Prospective Study. Viruses 2020; 12:v12060640. [PMID: 32545689 PMCID: PMC7354499 DOI: 10.3390/v12060640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline parvovirus (FPV) causes severe gastroenteritis and leukopenia in cats; the outcome is poor. Information regarding specific treatments is lacking. Class A CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-A) are short single-stranded DNAs, stimulating type I interferon production. In cats, CpG-A induced an antiviral response in vivo and inhibited FPV replication in vitro. The aim was to prospectively investigate the effects of CpG-A on survival, clinical score, hematological findings, antiviral response (cytokines), viremia, and fecal shedding (real-time qPCR) in cats naturally infected with FPV. Forty-two FPV-infected cats were randomized to receive 100 µg/kg of CpG-A (n = 22) or placebo (n = 20) subcutaneously, on admission and after 48 h. Blood and fecal samples were collected on admission, after 1, 3, and 7 days. All 22 cats showed short duration pain during CpG-A injections. The survival rate, clinical score, leukocyte and erythrocyte counts, viremia, and fecal shedding at any time-point did not differ between cats treated with CpG-A (50%) and placebo (40%). Antiviral myxovirus resistance (Mx) gene transcription increased in both groups from day 1 to 3 (p = 0.005). Antibodies against FPV on admission were associated with survival in cats (p = 0.002). In conclusion, CpG-A treatment did not improve the outcome in cats with FPV infection. FPV infection produced an antiviral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Ferri
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello (NO), Italy; (F.P.); (F.R.); (D.E.); (C.C.); (E.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0321-4600155
| | - Federico Porporato
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello (NO), Italy; (F.P.); (F.R.); (D.E.); (C.C.); (E.Z.)
| | - Francesco Rossi
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello (NO), Italy; (F.P.); (F.R.); (D.E.); (C.C.); (E.Z.)
| | - Daniela Enache
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello (NO), Italy; (F.P.); (F.R.); (D.E.); (C.C.); (E.Z.)
| | - Carolina Callegari
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello (NO), Italy; (F.P.); (F.R.); (D.E.); (C.C.); (E.Z.)
| | - Gabriele Gerardi
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; (G.G.); (L.M.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Luigi M. Coppola
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; (G.G.); (L.M.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Barbara Contiero
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; (G.G.); (L.M.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Chiara Crinò
- The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre, Fourth Avenue, Globe Business Park, Marlow SL7 1YG, UK;
| | - Neda Ranjbar Kohan
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (N.R.K.); (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (N.R.K.); (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (N.R.K.); (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (N.R.K.); (M.L.M.); (H.L.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Eric Zini
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo con Monticello (NO), Italy; (F.P.); (F.R.); (D.E.); (C.C.); (E.Z.)
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; (G.G.); (L.M.C.); (B.C.)
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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40
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Mokhtar MH, Giribabu N, Salleh N. Testosterone Reduces Tight Junction Complexity and Down-regulates Expression of Claudin-4 and Occludin in the Endometrium in Ovariectomized, Sex-steroid Replacement Rats. In Vivo 2020; 34:225-231. [PMID: 31882482 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM It was hypothesized that endometrial tight junction morphology and expression of tight junction proteins i.e., claudin-4 and occludin in the uterus, are affected by testosterone. Therefore, the effects of testosterone on these parameters in the uterus during receptivity period were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ovariectomized adult female rats were given testosterone (1 mg/kg/day) alone or in combination with flutamide or finasteride between days 6 to 8 of sex-steroid replacement treatment, which was considered the period of uterine receptivity. Ultramorphology of tight junctions was visualized by transmission electron microscopy while distribution and expression of claudin-4 and occludin were examined by immunofluorescence and real-time polymerase chain reaction respectively. RESULTS Administration of testosterone caused loss of tight junction complexity and down-regulated expression of claudin-4 and occludin in the uterus. CONCLUSION Decreased endometrial tight junction complexity and expression of claudin-4 and occludin in the uterus during receptivity period by testosterone may interfere with embryo attachment and subsequent implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Helmy Mokhtar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nelli Giribabu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Naguib Salleh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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41
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Duda NCB, Ortiz LC, Valle SF, da Costa FVA, Varela APM, Nunes NJS, Okano FY, Franco AC, Roehe PM, González FHD. Laboratory and clinical findings and their association with viral and proviral loads in cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 71:101491. [PMID: 32450457 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to correlate clinical, laboratory, and bone marrow (BM) changes in cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus and their association with viral loads in blood and BM and proviral loads in BM. Cats were classified into five groups based on antigenemia, clinical and/or laboratory findings and viral/proviral loads, according to a prospective study: symptomatic progressive (GI); asymptomatic progressive (GII); regressive (GIII); unclassified (GIV); or healthy (GV). |Correlations between these five groups and viral/proviral loads were evaluated. High viral and proviral loads were detected in GI and GII and viral loads were significantly associated with laboratory signs. Proviral loads detected in BM were significantly lower in GIII and GIV. GI cats were more likely to develop hematopoietic disorders than those from the other groups. Hematological and clinical disorders and disease severity are related to higher viral blood and proviral BM loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila C B Duda
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucía Cano Ortiz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Stella Faria Valle
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda V A da Costa
- Department of Animal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Muterle Varela
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Yuji Okano
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paulo Michel Roehe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Félix H D González
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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42
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Szilasi A, Dénes L, Jakab C, Erdélyi I, Resende T, Vannucci F, Csomor J, Mándoki M, Balka G. In situ hybridization of feline leukemia virus in a primary neural B-cell lymphoma. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 32:454-457. [PMID: 32274976 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720915449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An 8-y-old castrated male, outdoor European shorthair cat was presented with a history of hindlimb weakness and paralysis. Disease progression was continuous from the onset; deep algesia disappeared at the final stage. Radiography of the vertebral column was unremarkable; along with patient history and physical examination results, magnetic resonance imaging suggested inflammatory lesions in the spinal cord, although neoplasia could not be ruled out. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) positivity was confirmed by a serum ELISA prior to euthanasia. Upon postmortem examination, hemorrhages were present in the spinal cord at the level of vertebrae T7-8. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis revealed primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the spinal cord with multifocal myelomalacia and hemorrhages. To determine the presence of a pathogen within the lesion, we developed a novel in situ hybridization protocol for FeLV (RNAscope). The reaction revealed large amounts of FeLV viral RNA in the tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szilasi
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Lilla Dénes
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Csaba Jakab
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Ildikó Erdélyi
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Talita Resende
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Fabio Vannucci
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Judit Csomor
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Míra Mándoki
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
| | - Gyula Balka
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary (Szilasi, Dénes, Mándoki, Balka).,Private veterinarian, Budapest, Hungary (Jakab).,Mátrix Histopathology and Cytology Services, Budapest, Hungary (Erdélyi).,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Resende), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Vannucci), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.,1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Csomor)
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43
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Little S, Levy J, Hartmann K, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Hosie M, Olah G, Denis KS. 2020 AAFP Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management Guidelines. J Feline Med Surg 2020; 22:5-30. [PMID: 31916872 PMCID: PMC11135720 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x19895940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections are found in cats worldwide. Both infections are associated with a variety of clinical signs and can impact quality of life and longevity. SCOPE This document is an update of the 2008 American Association of Feline Practitioners' feline retrovirus management guidelines and represents current knowledge on pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of retrovirus infections in cats. TESTING AND INTERPRETATION Although vaccines are available for FeLV in many countries and for FIV in some countries, identification of infected cats remains an important factor for preventing new infections. The retrovirus status of every cat at risk of infection should be known. Cats should be tested as soon as possible after they are acquired, following exposure to an infected cat or a cat of unknown infection status, prior to vaccination against FeLV or FIV, and whenever clinical illness occurs. It might not be possible to determine a cat's infection status based on testing at a single point in time; repeat testing using different methods could be required. Although FeLV and FIV infections can be associated with clinical disease, some infected cats, especially those infected with FIV, can live for many years with good quality of life. MANAGEMENT OF INFECTED CATS There is a paucity of data evaluating treatments for infected cats, especially antiretroviral and immunomodulatory drugs. Management of infected cats is focused on effective preventive healthcare strategies, and prompt identification and treatment of illness, as well as limiting the spread of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Levy
- Charing Cross Cat Clinic, Brantford, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Glenn Olah
- Charing Cross Cat Clinic, Brantford, ON, Canada
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44
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Studer N, Lutz H, Saegerman C, Gönczi E, Meli ML, Boo G, Hartmann K, Hosie MJ, Moestl K, Tasker S, Belák S, Lloret A, Boucraut-Baralon C, Egberink HF, Pennisi MG, Truyen U, Frymus T, Thiry E, Marsilio F, Addie D, Hochleithner M, Tkalec F, Vizi Z, Brunetti A, Georgiev B, Ludwig-Begall LF, Tschuor F, Mooney CT, Eliasson C, Orro J, Johansen H, Juuti K, Krampl I, Kovalenko K, Šengaut J, Sobral C, Borska P, Kovaříková S, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Pan-European Study on the Prevalence of the Feline Leukaemia Virus Infection - Reported by the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD Europe). Viruses 2019; 11:v11110993. [PMID: 31671816 PMCID: PMC6893802 DOI: 10.3390/v11110993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus associated with fatal disease in progressively infected cats. While testing/removal and vaccination led to a decreased prevalence of FeLV, recently, this decrease has reportedly stagnated in some countries. This study aimed to prospectively determine the prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats taken to veterinary facilities in 32 European countries. FeLV viral RNA was semiquantitatively detected in saliva, using RT-qPCR as a measure of viraemia. Risk and protective factors were assessed using an online questionnaire to report geographic, demographic, husbandry, FeLV vaccination, and clinical data. The overall prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats visiting a veterinary facility, of which 10.4% were shelter and rescue cats, was 2.3% (141/6005; 95% CI: 2.0%–2.8%) with the highest prevalences in Portugal, Hungary, and Italy/Malta (5.7%–8.8%). Using multivariate analysis, seven risk factors (Southern Europe, male intact, 1–6 years of age, indoor and outdoor or outdoor-only living, living in a group of ≥5 cats, illness), and three protective factors (Northern Europe, Western Europe, pedigree cats) were identified. Using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis, the origin of cats in Europe, pedigree, and access to outdoors were important predictors of FeLV status. FeLV-infected sick cats shed more viral RNA than FeLV-infected healthy cats, and they suffered more frequently from anaemia, anorexia, and gingivitis/stomatitis than uninfected sick cats. Most cats had never been FeLV-vaccinated; vaccination rates were indirectly associated with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In conclusion, we identified countries where FeLV was undetectable, demonstrating that the infection can be eradicated and highlighting those regions where awareness and prevention should be increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Studer
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Claude Saegerman
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Enikö Gönczi
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Gianluca Boo
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany.
| | - Margaret J Hosie
- MRC- University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Karin Moestl
- Institute of Virology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK & Chief Medical Officer, Linnaeus Group, Shirley, Solihull B90 4BN, UK.
| | - Sándor Belák
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Albert Lloret
- Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Herman F Egberink
- University of Utrecht, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, 3584 CL Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Maria-Grazia Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Uwe Truyen
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Tadeusz Frymus
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Diane Addie
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | | | - Filip Tkalec
- Veterinarska klinika Kreszinger, 10360 Sesvete, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zsuzsanna Vizi
- University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Anna Brunetti
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Boyko Georgiev
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Louisa F Ludwig-Begall
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Flurin Tschuor
- Kleintierklinik BolligerTschuor AG, Fachtierärzte für Kleintiere, 4665 Oftringen - Zofingen, Switzerland.
| | - Carmel T Mooney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Catarina Eliasson
- Jamaren - Swedish Veterinary Feline Study Group, 275 71 Lövestad, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Kirsi Juuti
- CatVet Kissaklinikka, 00400 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Igor Krampl
- Slovak Small Animal Veterinary Association, 821 02 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Kaspars Kovalenko
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Lifesciences and Technologies, LV-3004 Jelgava, Latvia.
| | - Jakov Šengaut
- Jakov Veterinary Centre, Gerosios Vilties g. 1, LT-03147 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | | | - Petra Borska
- Small Animal Emergency Clinic, 637 00 Brno-Jundrov, Czech Republic.
| | - Simona Kovaříková
- Department of Animal Protection, Welfare and Behavior, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Evaluation of a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for feline leukemia virus p27 antigen and comparison to proviral DNA loads by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 67:101348. [PMID: 31527012 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an oncogenic retrovirus of cats. While higher viral RNA and proviral DNA loads have been correlated with progressive infections and disease, a similar correlation has been suggested for p27 antigen concentrations. This analytical study compared the results of a quantitative ELISA for p27 antigen with quantitative real-time PCR results for FeLV proviral DNA in patient samples. A significant positive correlation between copies of proviral DNA and the concentration of p27 antigen was identified (r = 0.761, P < 0.0001). Samples with high proviral DNA loads, at least 1 × 106 copies/mL of whole blood, typically had p27 antigen concentrations greater than 30 ng/mL in plasma. Samples with proviral DNA loads below this level all had concentrations of p27 antigen in plasma that were less than 10 ng/mL. Given this correlation, it is hypothesized that the concentration of p27 antigen at a given point in time may help to indicate the likelihood of a progressive or regressive infection similar to what has been demonstrated for proviral DNA loads.
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46
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Prevalence, Geographic Distribution, Risk Factors and Co-Infections of Feline Gammaherpesvirus Infections in Domestic Cats in Switzerland. Viruses 2019; 11:v11080721. [PMID: 31390829 PMCID: PMC6723517 DOI: 10.3390/v11080721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, a gammaherpesvirus was described in domestic cats (FcaGHV1). The goal of the present study was to investigate the presence of FcaGHV1 in Swiss domestic cats and analyze potential risk factors. Blood samples from 881 cats presented to veterinarians in all Swiss cantons and from 91 stray cats and neoplastic tissue samples from 17 cats with lymphoma were evaluated. FcaGHV1 was detected by real-time PCR targeting the glycoprotein B gene, followed by sequencing. Blood samples were also tested for feline hemoplasmas, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The molecular prevalence of FcaGHV1 was 6.0% (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.5–7.8%) in cats presented to veterinarians and 5.5% (95% CI, 1.8–12.4%) in stray cats. FcaGHV1 PCR-positive cats originated from 19/26 Swiss cantons. Factors significantly associated with FcaGHV1 detection included male sex, age >3 years, nonpedigree status and co-infection with FIV and hemoplasmas. Moreover, FeLV viremia tended to be associated with FcaGHV1 detection. High FcaGHV1 blood loads were found more frequently in FeLV-viremic cats and less frequently in hemoplasma-infected cats than in uninfected cats. Clinical information was unavailable for most of the 881 cats, but leukemia, carcinoma and cardiomyopathy were reported in FcaGHV1-positive cats. None of the tissue samples from the 17 cats with lymphoma tested positive for FcaGHV1. Sequence analyses revealed homogeneity among the Swiss isolates and >99.7% identity to published FcaGHV1 sequences. In conclusion, FcaGHV1 is present in Switzerland with a similar prevalence in cats presented to veterinarians and in stray cats. The pathogenic potential of FcaGHV1 needs further evaluation.
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47
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Szilasi A, Dénes L, Krikó E, Heenemann K, Ertl R, Mándoki M, Vahlenkamp TW, Balka G. Prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in domestic cats in Hungary. JFMS Open Rep 2019; 5:2055116919892094. [PMID: 31839979 PMCID: PMC6904780 DOI: 10.1177/2055116919892094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses affecting cats worldwide. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of these retroviruses in domestic cats in Hungary and to characterise the phylogenetic relationships of FIV strains. METHODS A total of 335 anticoagulated whole-blood samples obtained from both a healthy and ill cat population were examined for the presence of FIV and FeLV with two methods: ELISA and PCR. Statistical analysis was carried out to analyse the data obtained. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial polymerase (pol) gene sequences was performed to describe circulating FIV subtypes. RESULTS Statistical analysis showed 11.8% and 9.9% true prevalence of FeLV and FIV, respectively, with ELISA. The apparent prevalence calculated from the PCR results were 17.3% for FeLV and 13.1% for FIV. Phylogenetic analysis of partial pol gene sequences obtained from 22 FIV strains showed that all observed Hungarian strains belonged to FIV subtype B. The strains were grouped into several monophyletic subgroups reflecting the geographic locations of the origin of the samples. The overall mean genetic similarity between the analysed strains was 98.2%. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE We report the first thorough overview of the prevalence of FeLV and FIV in Hungary, which is relatively high, and give insight into the genetic diversity of Hungarian strains of FIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szilasi
- Department of Pathology, University of
Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Pest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Dénes
- Department of Pathology, University of
Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Pest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Krikó
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of
Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Pest, Hungary
| | - Kristin Heenemann
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Ertl
- VetCore Facility for Research,
University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Míra Mándoki
- Department of Pathology, University of
Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Pest, Hungary
| | - Thomas W Vahlenkamp
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Gyula Balka
- Department of Pathology, University of
Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Pest, Hungary
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48
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Reduced Folate Carrier: an Entry Receptor for a Novel Feline Leukemia Virus Variant. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00269-19. [PMID: 30996094 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00269-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is horizontally transmitted among cats and causes a variety of hematopoietic disorders. Five subgroups of FeLV, A to D and T, each with distinct receptor usages, have been described. Recently, we identified a new FeLV Env (TG35-2) gene from a pseudotyped virus that does not belong to any known subgroup. FeLV-A is the primary virus from which other subgroups have emerged via mutation or recombination of the subgroup A env gene. Retrovirus entry into cells is mediated by the interaction of envelope protein (Env) with specific cell surface receptors. Here, phenotypic screening of a human/hamster radiation hybrid panel identified SLC19A1, a feline reduced folate carrier (RFC) and potential receptor for TG35-2-phenotypic virus. RFC is a multipass transmembrane protein. Feline and human RFC cDNAs conferred susceptibility to TG35-2-pseudotyped virus when introduced into nonpermissive cells but did not render these cells permissive to other FeLV subgroups or feline endogenous retrovirus. Moreover, human cells with genomic deletion of RFC were nonpermissive for TG35-2-pseudotyped virus infection, but the introduction of feline and human cDNAs rendered them permissive. Mutation analysis of FeLV Env demonstrated that amino acid substitutions within variable region A altered the specificity of the Env-receptor interaction. We isolated and reconstructed the full-length infectious TG35-2-phenotypic provirus from a naturally FeLV-infected cat, from which the FeLV Env (TG35-2) gene was previously isolated, and compared the replication of the virus in hematopoietic cell lines with that of FeLV-A 61E by measuring the viral RNA copy numbers. These results provide a tool for further investigation of FeLV infectious disease.IMPORTANCE Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a member of the genus Gammaretrovirus, which causes malignant diseases in cats. The most prevalent FeLV among cats is FeLV subgroup A (FeLV-A), and specific binding of FeLV-A Env to its viral receptor, thiamine transporter feTHTR1, is the first step of infection. In infected cats, novel variants of FeLV with altered receptor specificity for viral entry have emerged by mutation or recombination of the env gene. A novel FeLV variant arose from a subtle mutation of FeLV-A Env, which altered the specific interaction of the virus with its receptor. RFC, a folate transporter, is a potential receptor for the novel FeLV variant. The perturbation of specific retrovirus-receptor interactions under selective pressure by the host results in the emergence of novel viruses.
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49
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Westman M, Norris J, Malik R, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Harvey A, McLuckie A, Perkins M, Schofield D, Marcus A, McDonald M, Ward M, Hall E, Sheehy P, Hosie M. The Diagnosis of Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) Infection in Owned and Group-Housed Rescue Cats in Australia. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060503. [PMID: 31159230 PMCID: PMC6630418 DOI: 10.3390/v11060503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A field study was undertaken to (i) measure the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) exposure and FeLV infection in a cross-section of healthy Australian pet cats; and (ii) investigate the outcomes following natural FeLV exposure in two Australian rescue facilities. Group 1 (n = 440) consisted of healthy client-owned cats with outdoor access, predominantly from eastern Australia. Groups 2 (n = 38) and 3 (n = 51) consisted of a mixture of healthy and sick cats, group-housed in two separate rescue facilities in Sydney, Australia, tested following identification of index cases of FeLV infection in cats sourced from these facilities. Diagnostic testing for FeLV exposure/infection included p27 antigen testing using three different point-of-care FeLV kits and a laboratory-based ELISA, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing to detect FeLV proviral DNA in leukocytes, real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) testing to detect FeLV RNA in plasma, and neutralising antibody (NAb) testing. Cats were classified as FeLV-uninfected (FeLV-unexposed and presumptively FeLV-abortive infections) or FeLV-infected (presumptively regressive and presumptively progressive infections). In Group 1, 370 FeLV-unexposed cats (370/440, 84%), 47 abortive infections (47/440, 11%), nine regressive infections (9/440, 2%), and two progressive infections (2/440, 0.5%) were identified, and 12 FeLV-uninfected cats (12/440, 3%) were unclassifiable as FeLV-unexposed or abortive infections due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. In Groups 2 and 3, 31 FeLV-unexposed cats (31/89, 35%), eight abortive infections (8/89, 9%), 22 regressive infections (22/89; 25%), and 19 progressive infections (19/89; 21%) were discovered, and nine FeLV-uninfected cats (9/89; 10%) were unclassifiable due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. One of the presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 was likely a focal FeLV infection. Two other presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 may have been classified as regressive infections with repeated testing, highlighting the difficulties associated with FeLV diagnosis when sampling cats at a single time point, even with results from a panel of FeLV tests. These results serve as a reminder to Australian veterinarians that the threat of FeLV to the general pet cat population remains high, thus vigilant FeLV testing, separate housing for FeLV-infected cats, and FeLV vaccination of at-risk cats is important, particularly in group-housed cats in shelters and rescue facilities, where outbreaks of FeLV infection can occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Westman
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Jacqueline Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory and Centre for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, The University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea Harvey
- Small Animal Specialist Hospital, 1 Richardson Place, North Ryde, Sydney, 2113 NSW, Australia.
| | - Alicia McLuckie
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | | | | | - Alan Marcus
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Mike McDonald
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Michael Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 2570 NSW, Australia.
| | - Evelyn Hall
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 2570 NSW, Australia.
| | - Paul Sheehy
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 2570 NSW, Australia.
| | - Margaret Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, Scotland G61 1QH, UK.
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50
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Medeiros S, Silva B, Carneiro A, Ferreira Júnior O, Tanuri A. Avaliação de dois testes sorológicos comerciais para diagnóstico das infecções pelo FIV e pelo FeLV. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-10111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO FIV e FeLV são retrovírus associados principalmente com neoplasias. Dois testes rápidos são disponibilizados no Brasil para o diagnóstico dessas infecções: um kit de imunocromatografia de fluxo bidirecional (SNAP® Combo IDEXX) e um kit de imunocromatografia de fluxo lateral unidirecional (ALERE/BIONOTE Anigen Rapid). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o teste SNAP® com o teste ALERE. Amostras de sangue de 178 gatos foram testadas utilizando-se ambos os kits. A reação em cadeia de polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) foi empregada como método confirmatório para todos os resultados. O teste SNAP® apresentou sensibilidade e especificidade de 100% para FIV; a sensibilidade e a especificidade do teste ALERE foram de 96,15% e 98,68%, respectivamente. A sensibilidade e a especificidade para o FeLV foram de 93,02% e 96,30% para o teste SNAP® e de 90,70% e 97,78% para o teste ALERE. Ainda em relação ao FeLV, três amostras com resultado positivo na qPCR obtiveram resultado falso-negativo em ambos os testes. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os métodos. Considerando a qPCR como padrão-ouro, o teste SNAP® apresentou maior sensibilidade e especificidade para o FIV, e o teste ALERE apresentou maior especificidade para o FeLV. Os resultados mostraram uma boa correlação entre os testes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - B.J.A. Silva
- Centro de Apoio e Diagnóstico Veterinário, Brazil
| | | | | | - A. Tanuri
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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