FeLV and FIV Flashcards
What kind of virus is FeLV?
Retrovirus
What are the roles of proteins p27, p15e and gp70 in FeLV?
p27 - Basis for diagnostics tests, produced in infected cells, circulates in plasma and excreted in tears and salive
p15e - immunosuppresion
gp70 - defines viral subgroup,, induced anti-viral neutralising antibodies and target for vaccination
What are the possible outcomes of persistent FeLV viraemia?
Healthy carrier
Malignancy
Myelosuppression
Immunosuppression
What is the source of FeLV? Where is the virus shed? How long can it survive outside the body?
Persistently infected cats
- Saliva
- Nasal secretions
- Faeces
- Urine
- Milk
Few hours
How can FeLV be transmitted?
Intimate prolonged contact - shared food/water bowls/grooming
Neonates - in utero, nursing
Blood transfusions
What are the possible outcomes of FeLV infections?
Persistent viraemia
Transient viraemia
Latent infection
Localised infection
What are the clinical signs of FeLV?
Asymptomatic Inappetence, weight loss, poor coat Lymphadenopathy Pyrexia Pale mm Ocular disease Gingivitis, stomatitis Diarrhoea Neuro signs Abortion Secondary infections
What are cats with FeLV susceptible to secondary infections?
FeLV causes immunosuppression by depleting/interfering with function of lymphocytes and neutrophils
What haematologial disorders can develop secondary to FeLV?
Bone marrow suppression => non-regenerative anaemia
Myelodysplasia
Leukaemia
What are FeLV+ cats at risk of developing?
Lymphoma - 60x increase
How is FeLV diagnosed?
Immunoassay Immunofluorescent antibody test PCR Viral culture Antibody tests
What does a +ve antigen test for FeLV indicate? How does this differ from a +ve IFA test?
Transient or persistent viraemia
Persistent viraemia only
What does a -ve FeLV test indicate?
Unexposed Eliminated infection Early infection Latent infection Localised infection False -ve
What could explains a +ve antigen test but -ve IFA/viral isolation for FeLV?
Early infection In recovery False +ve Detection of incomplete virus Localised infection Antigen test more sensitive
If a cat shows disordant FeLV diagnostic results, what actions should be taken?
- Isolate from other cats
- Repeat bloods in 4w
- Confirm 2nd test result 8w later
How is FeLV treated?
Supportive care Treat secondary illness Confine indoors Neuter Good nutrition, parasite/flea prevention, vacc
What increases the risk of FeLV exposure?
Outdoor cats
Resides with cats of unknown/FeLV+ status
What kind of virus is FIV? Which cats is it most common in?
Retrovirus
Free-roaming, aggressive male cats
How can FIV be transmitted?
Bite wounds
Transplacental, milk
Sexual
Sharing food bowls
What are the main 3 phases of FIV pathogenesis? How long do they each last?
- Acute - Days-weeks
- Asymptomatic carrier <10year
- Terminal - Weeks to months
What are the clinical signs of acute phase FIV infection?
Transient mild illness Pyrexia Lethargy Diarrhoea Lymphadenopathy
What are cats in terminal/AIDS phase of FIV very susceptible too?
Viral/bacterial infections
Neurological disease
Neoplasia
What are the most common clinical signs of FIV?
Stomatitis Neoplasia - lymphoma/SCC Occular inflammation Anaemia, leukopenia Opportunistic infections Renal insufficiency
What are the signs of FIV on diagnostic results?
Neutropenia Anaemia Thrombocytopenia Normal biochemistry \+ve FIV test
How is FIV diagnosed?
Antibody test IFA Western blot PCR Viral isolation
What does a +ve FIV result indicate?
Persistent infection Need to test kittens >6m of a +ve queen Re-test kittsens <6m every 60d of +ve queen False +ve Weak +ve => repeat
What does a -ve FIV result indicate?
Not infected
False negative
Immunosuppresion of cat
Early infection
What should be done if you suspect a cat has FIV but screening tests are -ve?
Retest
PCR
How is FIV treated?
Supportive car
Zidovudine (anti-viral)
How can FIV be prevented?
Prevent exposure Disinfect environment Do not breed +ve queen Hand rear +ve queen kittens Vaccination (USA)
Which subgroup of FeLV is present in almost all infected cats but is the least pathogenic?
Subgroup A
Which subgroup of FeLV is transmitted cat-to-cat?
A
Which subgroup of FeLV is oncogenic? Which causes non-regenerative anaemia?
B is oncogenic
C causes non-regenerative anaemia
Define:
- Persistent viraemia
- Transient viraemia
- Latent infection
- Localised infection
- No neutralising antibodies produced leading to development of associated disease, neoplastic and non-neoplastic
- Virus completely eliminated
- Virus persists in some tissues but no viral replication - undetectable
- Viral infection present in only certain tissues
What factors affect the outcome of an FeLV infection?
Age of cat Viral factors Other infectious disease Vaccination Glucocorticoid administration
What is FOCMA?
Feline oncoronavirus cell membrane antigen - present on membrane of malignant cells ONLY
Give 4 examples of immune-mediated disease that can develop secondary to FeLV…
IMHA
Glomerulonephritis
Uveitis
Polyarthritis
Give 3 examples of reproductive disease that can develop secondary to FeLV…
Infertility
Abortion
Transmission to kittens
Give 2 examples of skeletal abnormalities that can develop secondary to FeLV…
Osteochondromatosis - benign proliferative disease
Chronic progressive polyarthritis
Which FeLV viral antigen is detected by ELISA screening tests?
p27
Why is FeLV testing unaffected by vaccination or maternal transmission of antibodies?
Test detects the viral antigen NOT the antibody
How can FeLV be prevented?
Keep cats indoors Introduce infection-free cats into household House infected cats separately Vaccination Use disinfectants and detergents Test blood prior to transfusion
Which FIV antibodies are tested for?
Against p24
Against gp41
What are the three possible fates of FeLV when inside the host?
- Destruction of infected cells by immune response
- Infection +/- virus production
- Transformation to neoplastic cells
