FeLV si FIV

1
FeLV si FIV

• Leucemia Infectioasa si Imunodeficienta Felina
• DR. Dragos Cobzariu DVM PhD
• Infectious Diseases
• dragoscobzariu_at_gmail.com
• 20.04.2009

2
FeLV si FIV Introducere

• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline
  immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are among the most
  common infectious diseases of cats. Risk factors
  for infection include male gender, adulthood, and
  outdoor access, whereas indoor lifestyle and
  sterilization are associated with reduced
  infection rates.26
• The retroviral status of all cats should be
  known. Cats may require retrovirus testing at
  different times in their lives. Here are some
  general principles for retrovirus testing
• A cat with a confirmed-positive test result
  should be diagnosed as having a retroviral
  infection not clinical disease. Diseases in cats
  infected with FeLV or FIV may not necessarily be
  the result of the retrovirus infection.
• Cats infected with FeLV or FIV may live for
  many years.
• A decision for euthanasia should never be made
  solely on the basis of whether or not the cat is
  infected. No test is 100 accurate at all times
  under all conditions. All test results should be
  interpreted along with the patients health and
  prior likelihood of infection.
• All positives should be confirmed by another
  test method.
• While they can be life-threatening viruses,
  proper management can give infected cats longer,
  healthier lives.

3
FeLV(Eng.-Ro.)

• Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a
  retrovirus, which may induce depression of the
  immune system, anaemia and/ or lymphoma (
  anemie,imunosupresie,limfom)
• It affects cats worldwide. The prevalence of
  infection in Europe is low(5), although it may
  exceed 20 in some regions from East Europe (
  prevalenta 5-20 datorita lipsei de informare a
  proprietarului si a vaccinarii, comertului cu
  animale fara a cunoaste provenienta acestora, si
  lipsei metodelor de testare)
• Over the past 25 years, the prevalence of FeLV
  infection has dropped in US (datorita actiunilor
  sustinute de informare-profilaxie si datorita
  testelor si vaccinurilor), thanks to reliable
  diagnostic tests and vaccines.

4
Infectia

• Transmission of infection occurs through viral
  shedding (saliva, faeces,nasal secretions, milk)
  by FeLV infected cats.(transmiterea virusurilor
  se realizeaza prin secretii, excretii, lapte,
  bolurile de apa si mancare custile de transport,
  litierele venite in contact cu pisicile
  infectate.
• Transmission between cats occurs mainly through
  friendly contacts(mutual grooming), but also
  through biting. (transmiterea se poate face doar
  prin contact dar si prin muscatura)
• In large groups of cats ( distributia
  viremiei)
• 30-40 will develop persistent viraemia,
• 30-40 show transient viraemia and
• 20-30 seroconvert a minority(IgM
  IgG)
• (5) shows antigenaemia in the absence of
  viraemia
• In viraemic queens, pregnancy usually results
  in embryonic death, stillbirth or viraemic,
  fading kittens(mortalitate embrionara, pisoi
  neviabili)
• Young kittens are especially susceptible to
  FeLV infection.
• With age, cats become increasingly resistant(
  receptivitatea maxima o au pisoii mici in primele
  saptamani de viata)

5
Particularitati structurale virusul FeLV

• Cats with transient viremia
• may develop persistent bone
• marrow infection-Fast tests used
• spleen, lymph node or small intestine
• Peyers patches and timus develop
• persistent infection
• neutralizing antibodies clear blod viremia
• Once marrow infected,
• remain latent infection for years ( 3-4 years)
• Latent infection can be present even though
  serological tests are negative
• blood and bone marrow are negative for virus by
  Imunofluorescence, ELISA or viral culture, but
  viral genom can be found.
• FeLV defective viruses that transduce cellular
  oncogenes PCR used to find them
• 
  
  

GAG
POL
LTR
LTR
oncogene
6
Clinic suspicionam FeLV?

• Most common(frecvent) signs of persistent FeLV
  viraemia are
• Anemia(mainly non-regenerative)
  Anemie
• Imunosupresion (predisposition to other
  infections) Imunosupresie
• Limfoma(thymic, alimentary, multicentric or
  atypical)Limfom
• Most persistently viraemic cats die
  within two to three years
• Less common(atipic)
• Immune-mediated disease (haemolytic anaemia,
• glomerulonephritis, polyarthritis)
  Boli autoimune
• Chronic enteritis (crypt necrosis)
  Enterite cronice
• Reproductive disorders (foetal resorption,
  abortion,
• neonatal death and fading kittens)
  Probleme Reproductive
• Peripheral neuropathies (anisocoria, mydriasis,
  Horners syndrome, abnormal vocalisation,
  hyperesthesia, paresis, paralysis)
• 
  
  Neuropatii SN
  periferic

7
Patogeneza si Diagnostic
Infection by oral route
Infection by bite
Fast Tests ELISA
FAT
PCR on Bone Marrow
8
 DIAGNOSTICUL FeLV

• 1.Soluble-antigen tests are preferred for initial
  screening.
• These include
• Immunochromatographic FAST tests
• Agrolabo FeLV IC
• Agrolabo FeLV/FIV IC
• ELISA
• Agrolabo FeLV ELISA Ab Anti GP70
• Agrolabo FeLV ELISA antigenic
• While screening tests detect the presence of free
  antigen in the
• circulating blood, the IFA tests for the
  presence of antigen within infected
• white blood cells and platelets.

9
 DIAGNOSTICUL FeLV

• 2.Positive results from tests that detect free
  antigen may be reflective of the transient period
  of antigenemia associated with regressive
  infections.
• Positive results from tests that detect
  cell-associated antigen such as the IFA test are
  likely to be reflective of progressive
  infections.
• 3.Tests that use saliva and tears yield an
  unacceptable high percentage
• of inaccurate results and their use is not
  recommended.19
• 4.Although there are no published assessments of
  diagnostic accuracy
• of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for
  FeLV, the test is
• offered by a number of commercial laboratories.
  Recent studies
• using real-time PCR have shown that 5-10 of
  cats negative on
• soluble antigen tests were positive for FeLV
  provirus by PCR
• (regressive infection).11, 20

10
Managmentul FeLV

• Supportive therapy (including fluid therapy if
  required) and good nursing care
• Secondary infections should be treated promptly
• Feline interferon omega may reduce clinical
  signs and extend the survival time
• AZT (azidothymidine) may be used, but side
  effects may occur
• Blood transfusions may prolong survival
• Asymptomatic FeLV cats may live many years
  and end up dying of an unrelated cause
• FeLV cats need special care to avoid
  infections
• FeLV infected cats should remain indoors and
  receive a regular clinical
• check-up (every 6 months)
• Corticosteroids, other immune-suppressive or
  bone marrow-suppressive
• drugs should be avoided
• The virus does not survive for long outside the
  host and is readily destroyed
• by disinfectants, soap, heating and drying
• However, the virus may survive in faeces it
  remains viable if kept moist
• at room temperature

11
Imunoprofilaxia

• All cats of uncertain FeLV status should be
  tested
• prior to vaccination
• All healthy cats with a potential risk of
  exposure
• (outdoor access, FeLV endemic area) should be
  vaccinated against FeLV
• Kittens should be vaccinated at 8 to 9 weeks of
  age, with a second vaccination at 12 weeks,
  followed by a booster one year later
• In view of the significantly lower
  susceptibility of older
• cats, FeLV boosters can be given every 2 to 3
  years after the age of 3
• Vaccination against common pathogens should be
• maintained. Inactivated vaccines are recommended

12
Concluzii 1.All cats of uncertain FeLV status
should be tested prior to vaccination! La
achizitionarea unei pisici solicitati testarea
ei cu Teste rapide-Imunofluorescenta-PCR
pentru ai stabili statusul - Libera de FeLV
-Viremica -Provirus integrat 2. Most
persistently viraemic cats die within 3 to 4
years!
13
3.Anaemia in a cat with persistent FeLV infection
4.Alimentary lymphoma associated with
FeLV-clinical enteric sindrom
14
5.Thymic lymphoma filling thethorax
of an FeLV infected cat

• 6.Primary visible signs of an FeLV
• infected cat
• chronic stomatitis
• gingivitis
• non-healing skin lesions
• respiratory infections Haemobartonella felis
• skin Ringworms-Microsporum, Tricophiton

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Prezentare de caz Stinky

• Stinky's chronic problemsStinky, a 4 year
  old neutered male, was presented to the clinic
• in August 1992. He had been depressed and
  anorexic and for the
• previous two days he had diarrhea with lots of
  mucous. Owner had
• noticed a wound on the right side of his
  abdomen.We examine Stinky and find
   Depressed, T 39.5o, Pulse 144, yellow mucous
  membranes. Wound on right lateral abdomen with
  palpable firm tract going ventrally. Oral cavity-
  large red plaque with small white plaques under
  tongue - some ocular discharge - 8 dehydrated.
  When placing IV catheter cat went into cardiac
  arrest - revived with external cardiac massage.
  Positive pressure ventilation, IV epinephrine,
  bicarbonate, dexamethasone - later given mannitol
  IV. CBC Neutropenia with left shift and 2 toxic
  change. PCV 0.24 - non regenerative SADB (small
  animal data-base) bilirubin 40. 2 icteric serum
  UA (urinalysis) strong positive for bilirubin 2
  blood 1 bilirubin crystllauria SG
  1.068.Stinky's rescords showStinky had a long
  history of chronic infections and problems that
  are summarized belowNormal until 1990,
  exceptChronic non-parasitic otitis externa
  overweight - 8kg, Began losing weight in
  mid-1990.
• Developed suspicious number of abscesses
  and infected scratches after skirmishes with
  other catsworkup shows whitish grey plaques
  bilaterally in ear-canal - biopsies
  non-diagnostic no radiographic evidence of otitis
  media... otitis resolved after antibiotic
  treatment

16

• Stinky's rescords show
• Spring 1991 Hair coat shows marked thinning,
• presumably pruritic as cat is  constantly
  grooming.
• Skin and hair samples show evidence of
• dermatophytosisCulture on dermatophyte medium
  Dermakit-
• heavy growth of Trichophyton equinum and another
• obscure dermatophyte that is not normally
  pathogenictreated with oral ketoconazole
  resolved in 2 weeks, hair coat improved.Fall
  1991 Upper respiratory tract problems but no
  etiological agent could be  identifiedSpring
  1991 Alopecia and pruritus returned. URT
  problems still there. alopecia treated with oral
  vitamin EYou decide to see if Stinky's chronic
  problems are related to FeLV infection.  
   What should you do?    What samples do you
  need to take?    What does the tests
  determine?    What do the results
  mean?Stinky's test show that he is FeLV
  ELISA-FastKit positive, FeLV PCR positiveWhat
  is you opinion?!

17
Prezentare caz Emily-4luni

• Emily was a 4 month old female Siamese. She
  was apparently healthy until the previous day
  when she was caught under the leg of a recliner
  chair. She has had  difficulty breathing since
  then. A physical examination showed that Emily
  had trouble breathing - Inspirational effort,
  marked pleural effusion present. Her chest showed
  more than normal resistance to compression.Radiol
  ogical findings
• There is a medium to large volume of pleural
  fluid with associated lung collapse. The
  mediastinum is abnormally dense. The heart is
  difficult to assess.Progress exam. No.1 - There
  is an increased volume of pleural fluid with
  further lung collapseProgress exam No 2 - Again
  there is an increase in pleural fluid indicating
  active fluid formation or hemorrhage, as the case
  may be.Reassessment of the abdomen indicates an
  almost certain cranial mediastinal mass as seen
  in the dorsoventral view.Radiologist's note
• This latter diagnosis, although unsuspected in
  the context of the proposed trauma, was confirmed
  on the basis of the palpable mass in the
  mediastinum. the reason for the rapid fluid
  formation is uncertain. Possibly, trauma might
  cause hemorrhage in a mass or a mass may erode
  regional vasculature to produce such blood tinged
  fluid as it is removed from this cat's thorax on
  repeated occasions.

18

• Necropsy report
• Gross necropsy Ventral mediastinal area
  contains a nodular, grey-white mass--
  approximately 3 X 3 X 6 cm in size. Both right
  and left lung lobes appear atelectatic and there
  is a 2 cm tear in the posterior mediastinum. A
  single sub lumbar lymph node is visibly
  enlarged.Histopathology
• Sections of mediastinal mass contain a uniform
  population of lymphoblast like cells. These cells
  have roughly circular nuclei, some have prominent
  nucleoli and most have minimal cytoplasm that has
  ill defined margins. There are scattered foci of
  necrotic cells and hemorrhage. Similar cells have
  replaced the sub lumbar lymph node that was
  sectioned and are also present in sinusoids and
  portal areas of the liver.
• Immunohistochemistry
• A section of the liver shows cells that stain
  with anti GAG antibody as well as antibody
  against CD3.    How would you interpret the
  results of the immunohistochemistry?    Was the
  tumor induced by a feline retrovirus?    How
  did a young 4 month old kitten develop rapidly
  growing  retrovirus induced tumor?

19
Feline immunodeficiency virus- FIV

• First isolated in 1986, (FIV) is a
  retrovirus-lentivirus closely related to HIV.
  Most felids are susceptible to FIV, but humans
  are not.
• FIV is endemic in domestic cat populations
  worldwide
• (4 subtypes A and B are most common in Europe)
• Seroprevalence of FIV varies greatly between
  regions
• Sick adult cats, male cats and free-roaming
  cats are most likelyto be infected
• FIV loses infectivity quickly outside the host
  and is susceptible to all disinfectants including
  common soap

20
Infectia cu FIV

• Most FIV infections are acquired by bites
  (fights, mating) from persistently infected cats.
  The risk of transmission is low in households
  with socially
• well-adapted cats
• Transmission from mother to kittens may occur,
  especially if the queen is undergoing an acute
  infection
• FIV infected cats are persistently infected in
  spite of their ability to mount antibody and
  cell-mediated immune responses

21
Patogeneza infectiei cu FIV
Inapparent in most cats
22
Clinic suspicionam FIV?

• Infection has a long latent or asymptomatic
  phase. Infected cats generally remain free of
  clinical signs for several years, and some cats
  never develop disease.
• Clinical signs are not caused by FIV, but are
  the consequence of immunodeficiency(CD4/CD8
  decreased ratio)
• Typical manifestations are
• Acute phase
• May last a few days to few weeks
• Fever and malaise may go unnoticed
• Acute enteritis (diarrhea), stomatitis,
  dermatitis, conjunctivitis, respiratory tract
  disease
• Generalized lymph node enlargement common

23
Clinic suspicionam FIV?

• Asymptomatic phase
• Follows acute phase Appear clinically
  healthyMay last for years Use to say would
  become ill within 5 years Now know that many
  FIV cats can live normal lives for much
  longer
• FIV is not a death sentence.

24
Clinic suspicionam FIV?

• Terminal phase
• - No good predictor of when this phase will occur
• - Characterized by opportunistic infections,
  neoplasia or other syndromes such as wasting
• bacterial, fungal, and protozoal (Toxoplasmosis,
  Ringworms) infections common
• treatment is directed at the secondary condition
• - Chronic gingivostomatitis
• - Lymphadenopathy
• - Renal failure associated with immune-mediated
  glomerulonephritis
• - Chronic rhinitis and - weight loss

25
Examenele de laborator paraclinice-suspiciune?

• None are specific for FIV but
• Acute phase
• Neutropenia, lymphopenia
• Resolves as progresses to asymptomatic phase
• CBC and chem panel normal during asymptomatic
  phase
• Clinically ill cats may have
• anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia (seen in 1/3
  1/2 of cats), thrombocytopenia
• Cytopenias may reflect secondary disease or may
  be suppression of bone marrow precursors by the
  FIV infection

26
DIAGNOSTICUL FIV DIAGNOSTICUL FIV

• FIV produces a persistent, life-long infection,
  so detection of
• antibodies in peripheral blood has been judged
  sufficient for
• routine diagnostic screening if the cat has not
  been previously
• vaccinated against FIV and has not acquired FIV
  antibodies in
• colostrum.21, 22
• ELISA and other immunochromatographic tests are
  the preferred screening tests
• Agrolabo FIV ELISA antibody
• Agrolabo FIV IC
• Agrolabo FeLV/FIV IC
• Confirmation of positive screening tests should
  include a different method or at least an
  antibody test from a different manufacturer.23,
  24 Western Blot tests have been the recommended
  confirmation test in the past, but were found to
  be less sensitive and specific than in-clinic
  screening tests in one study.22

27
DIAGNOSTICUL FIV DIAGNOSTICUL FIV

• Vaccination of cats against FIV induces
  anti-FIV antibodies . These antibodies persist
  for at least one year and can be transferred in
  colostrum to kittens.
• Discriminant ELISA was reported by Dr. Levy
  and co-workers from the University of Florida,
  can differentiate between antibodies produced
  after FIV vaccination and antibodies produced
  after FIV infection.
• While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays
  may help distinguish cats infected with FIV from
  cats vaccinated against FIV, one study found
  marked variability in diagnostic accuracy among
  commercial laboratories.
• Positive in-practice ELISA test results
  obtained in a low-prevalence
• or low-risk population should always be
  confirmed by a laboratory
• Western blot or IFA are the gold standard
  laboratory test for FIV serology
• PCR-based assays (for proviral DNA) are
  variable in performance and may even be inferior
  to serological tests

28
Diagnostic-rezultate fals pozitive!

• Want to confirm diagnosis with IFA Biopronix or
  Western Immunoblot antibody testing in
  asymptomatic cats
• IFA same accuracy of ELISA but may decrease
  technical error by sending to lab
• Western blot considered gold standard for
  confirming a positive
• Kittens from FIV infected queens may test
  seropositive due to persisting maternal
  antibodies, and should be retested at 16 weeks of
  age. Exceptionally, kittens may remain
  seropositive until 6 months of age

29
Diagnostic-rezultate fals negative!

• False negatives occur due to
• Anergic stage of disease (terminal phase)
• Early infection and lack of seroconversion
• Lack of seroconversion due to immunosuppression
  or seroconversion occurs later in disease (up to
  6 months reported)
• Most cats seroconvert within 2-4 weeks
  post-exposure but may take up to 8 weeks

30
Managmentul Bolii

• Cats should never be euthanised only on the
  basis of an FIV positive test result, cats may
  live as long as uninfected cats.
• Neutering is recommended to reduce aggression
  and decrease biting incidents
• FIV infected cats should receive regular (6
  monthly) veterinary health checks including
  routine biochemistry, haematology and weight
  monitoring
• Prompt and accurate diagnosis of any secondary
  illness is essential
• FIV infected cats can be housed in the same
  ward as other patients, but should be kept in
  individual cages separate from cats with
  contagious conditions
• In rescue shelters, cats should be housed
  individually to avoid crossinfection
• (at the very least, FIV positive cats should be
  segregated)

31
Managmentul Bolii

• Feline interferon omega may reduce clinical
  signs and extend the survival time
• AZT (azidothymidine) may be used, but side
  effects may occur
• Surgery is well-tolerated by asymptomatic FIV
  infected cats, but perioperative antibiotic
  treatment should be used in all cases
• Care must be taken to avoid iatrogenic virus
  transmission(e.g. by thorough decontamination of
  surgical instruments that have been used on
  seropositive cats)
• Avoid use of Griseofulvin for dermatophyte
  infections (increased susceptibility to
  neutropenia)

32
Vaccinarea

• In Europe at present there is no FIV vaccine
  commercially available
• Vaccination against routine pathogens can be
• considered for healthy seropositive cats but is
  not recommended for sick, FIV infected cats

• Fel-O-Vax FIV (Fort Dodge)
• new vaccine available on the market
• minimal side effects
• Efficacy quoted to be 82 but heavily disputed
• Protects against Subtype A and D of FIV
• Subtype B FIV probably more common
• Vaccine titer and infectious titer not
  distinguishable on ELISA or Western blot testing
  and will make diagnosis of the disease very
  difficult !!

33
Concluzii1.FIV positive cats (like this
one) may live as long as uninfected cats
2.Chronic infections may arise due to FIV
Infection
3. Cats should never be euthanised on the basis
of an FIV positive test alone
34
4.Chronic infections may arise due to FIV
Infection gingivitis, stomatitis, otic
infections
5.Weight loss and haemorrhagic enteritis in an
FIV positive cat
35
FeLV Algoritmul de Diagnostic

• All positive results should be confirmed,
  especially asymptomatic and low-risk cats.
  Re-test immediately with IFA/ELISA
• Negative screening test results are highly
  reliable. However, if results are negative but
  recent infection cannot be ruled out, testing
  should be repeated a minimum of 30 days after the
  last potential exposure (Supraveghere
  epidemiologica 3 testari la un interval de 30
  de zile efectuate pe un numar cat mai mare de
  animlae preferabil toate animalele din efectiv)
• Discordant results may be due to the stage of
  infection, the variability of host responses or
  technical problems with testing. It is not
  usually possible to determine the true FeLV
  infection status of cats with persistently
  discordant test results.
• If resolving is desired, re-test in 60 days using
  antigen and IFA. May also consider utilizing
  alternative test methods such as culture or PCR
  where available. Consider FeLV-infected and start
  appropriate management program.
• Antigen Test
• Negative results for either FeLV or FIV are much
  more reliable because of the low prevalence of
  infection in most cat populations.
• No test is 100 accurate all the time, under all
  conditions. In cat populations with a low
  prevalence, for example less than 0.5, more than
  half of the cats that test positive are likely to
  be uninfected.26

36
FIV Algoritmul de Diagnostic

• Cats vaccinated with a whole-virus vaccine will
  test antibody-positive. Re-test with another
  antibody test.
• Negative screening test results are highly
  reliable. However, if results are negative but
  recent infection cannot be ruled out, testing
  should be repeated a minimum of 60 days after the
  last potential exposure.
• Antibody Test
• If positive after kitten reaches 6 months old,
  consider FIV-infected and continue appropriate
  management program.
• May also consider utilizing alternative test
  methods such as culture or PCR where available.
• If negative at any interval, consider free of
  infection and begin wellness program.
• Kittens may be tested for FeLV and FIV at any
  age. Most kittens test negative, indicating no
  infection. Antibody tests for FIV can detect
  antibodies passed in colostrum from an infected
  or vaccinated mother, which can be mistaken for
  infection in the kitten.
• Kittens that test positivefor FIV antibodies
  should be retested every 60 days up to 6 months
  of age and if the kitten becomes seronegative, it
  most likely is not infected. If results of tests
  performed after six months of age are still
  confirmed positive, these kittens should be
  considered infected.
• FeLV vaccinations will NOT induce positive test
  results.
• FIV vaccinations WILL induce positive test
  results.

37
Managmentul Cazurilor Pozitive Sanatoase Clinic

• Examinations should be performed at least twice a
  year and at each visit
• Update medical history. Monitor for any signs of
  weight loss.
• Perform a thorough physical exam pay close
  attention to lymph nodes, eyes and oral cavity.
• Perform a complete blood count, biochemical
  analysis, urinalysis, and fecal examination at
  least once a year. FeLV cats may need a complete
  blood count twice a year.
• Spay or neuter intact cats. Control internal and
  external parasites.
• Vaccinate as lifestyle indicates. Most
  retrovirus-infected cats mount adequate immune
  responses when vaccinated, and there is no need
  to modify standard vaccination intervals.28
• There is controversy about the use of inactivated
  versus modified-live vaccines. Current
  recommendations are to use inactivated vaccine
  products due to the theoretical risk of a
  modified-live product regaining its pathogenicity
  in cats with compromised immune systems.
• Infected queens should not be bred and should be
  spayed if their condition is sufficiently stable
  to permit them to undergo surgery.

38
Managmentul Cazurilor Pozitive Clinic manifeste

• Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to
  allow early therapeutic intervention and a
  successful treatment outcome. Therefore,
  intensive diagnostic testing should proceed early
  in the course of illness for infected cats.
• Many cats infected with FeLV or FIV respond as
  well as their uninfected counterparts to
  appropriate medications and treatment
  strategies,although a longer or more aggressive
  course of treatment may be needed.
• Few attempts have been made to evaluate
  anti-viral drugs, immunomodulators, or
  alternative therapies in large controlled studies
  of naturally infected cats. To date, no treatment
  has been shown to reverse well-established
  retrovirus infection in cats.
• Clients with a healthy or ill retrovirus positive
  cat may be frightened by the initial diagnosis.
• It is important to alleviate these fears when
  appropriate and offer encouraging advice on the
  proper care and management of the cat.

39
 LIMITAREA TRANSMITERII FeLV-FIV

• In the veterinary Practice
• Retroviruses are unstable outside their host
  animals and can be quickly inactivated by
  detergents and routine disinfectants.1317
• Simple precautions and routine cleaning
  procedures will prevent transmission of these
  agents in veterinary hospitals.
• As a guide
• All infected patients should be housed in
  individual cages and not in isolation/contagious
  wards where they may be exposed to infectious
  agents.
• Staff should wash their hands between patients
  and after cleaning cages.
• Because FeLV and FIV can be transmitted in
  blood transfusions, donors should be tested prior
  to donating. A real-time PCR test for FeLV is
  also recommended for blood donors as proviral
  elements in seronegative cats with regressive
  FeLV infection may cause infection in transfusion
  recipients.
• Dental and surgical instruments, endotracheal
  tubes and other items potentially contaminated
  with body fluids should be thoroughly cleaned and
  sterilized between uses.
• Fluid lines, multi-dose medication containers
  and food can become contaminated with body fluids
  (especially blood or saliva) and should not be
  shared among patients.

40
 LIMITAREA TRANSMITERII FeLV-FIV

• Limiting transmission At home
• Confine Infected cats should be confined
  indoors so they do not pose a risk of infection
  to other cats and so they are protected against
  infectious hazards in the environment.
• Isolate The best method of preventing spread
  to other cats in the household is to isolate the
  infected cat from interacting with its
  housemates. Isolation to a separate room is
  recommended, but a simple screen or chain-link
  barrier is adequate. Generally, FIV transmission
  is low in households with stable social
  structures where housemates do not fight, but
  FeLV can still be transmitted via friendly
  interactions.
• Dont Introduce If separation is not possible,
  no new cats should be introduced in the household
  to reduce the risk of territorial aggression.
• If owners choose not to separate
  retrovirus-infected housemates from their other
  cats, the uninfected cats should be consideredfor
  vaccination. Vaccinated cats should be isolated
  from infected cats for at least two months after
  the vaccine series is completed.

41
 LIMITAREA TRANSMITERII FeLV-FIV

• Prevention of FeLV and FIV transmission in
  Shelters and Catteries
• Control recommendations
• As for pet cats, it is ideal for all cats in
  shelters and catteries to be tested for FeLV and
  FIV.
• Testing at admission is optional for
  singly-housed cats in shelters, but all cats in
  breeding catteries should be tested. Testing is
  highly recommended for group-housed cats. If not
  performed prior to adoption, testing should be
  recommended to the new owner before exposure to
  other cats.
• Testing should be repeated 60 days after the
  initial test and annually for cats kept in
  long-term group housing.
• Each cat should be individually tested. Testing
  representative kittens in a litter or colony and
  extrapolating results to other cats in the group
  is unreliable. Procedures such as pooling
  multiple samples for use in a single test reduce
  test sensitivity and should not be performed.
• Both foster families and adopters should have
  their own resident cats tested prior to fostering
  or adopting a new cat.
• FeLV vaccination is optional for singly housed
  cats. Cats should test negative prior to
  vaccination. FeLV vaccination is highly
  recommended for all cats housed in groups and for
  both foster cats and permanent residents in
  foster homes.
• In catteries that follow testing guidelines and
  maintain retrovirus-negative status, vaccination
  against FeLV and FIV is not necessary.
• Vaccination is not 100 effective and should
  never be used in place of a test and segregate
  program.
• In contrast to the case for feline panleukopenia,
  herpesvirus and calicivirus vaccines, the value
  of a single FeLV vaccine for feral cats has not
  been determined. Therefore, FeLV vaccination is
  not recommended for feral cat trap-neuter-return
  programs if program resources are needed for
  higher priorities.
• FIV vaccination is not recommended for use in
  shelters or feral cats.
• Strict adherence to universal precautions is
  required to prevent iatrogenic transmission of
  retroviruses in the shelter environment via
  contaminated equipment and secretions.

42
Epilog!

• You dont have to consider it a death sentence.
  First of all, youd do well to have the animal
  retested after about three months, since the
  original test may have yielded a false positive.
• Secondly, some FeLV-infected cats develop an
  effective immune response, which controls the
  viral infection and results in a transient
  viremia instead of a persistent viremia.
• In these cats, subsequent FeLV tests will show
  that the cat no longer has virus in its blood.
• Finally, while there is no complete cure for
  FeLV or FIV infection, newer treatments and
  supportive care can often result in several years
  of relatively good health.

43
Bibliografie
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Fg, schuitemaker h, moorer Wr (2002) The
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44
Din Prezentarile Viitoare!

• Dermatomicozele pisicilor.
• Coronaviroza felina-Peritonita inf. Felina.
• Grupele de sange-transfuzii-determinismul genetic
  al grupelor sanguine ale pisicilor.
• Herpesvirusurile si calicivirusurile pisicilor.
• Panleucopenia pisicii.
• Filarioza felina.
• Bartonele si Hemobartonele feline.
• Alergii si Tratamente alergice

45
Va Multumesc !

• DR. Dragos Cobzariu DVM PhD
• Infectious Diseases Dept.
• Veterinary Faculty Bucarest
• SC Care For Your Family SRL
• distributor of
• Agrolabo-Biopronix-Italy
• dragoscobzariu_at_gmail.com