Premium
Epidemiological studies on feline leukaemia virus infection. I. A serological survey in urban cats
Author(s) -
Rogerson Petrina,
Jarrett William,
Mackey Lindsay
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910150509
Subject(s) - cats , serology , incidence (geometry) , antibody , virology , medicine , feline immunodeficiency virus , immunology , virus , epidemiology , antigen , feline leukemia virus , immunofluorescence , indirect immunofluorescence , viral disease , pathology , lentivirus , physics , optics
A survey of the incidence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection in cats in a large urban area was made by studying the prevalence of antibodies to feline leukaemia virus‐associated cell membrane antigens. Two serological tests were used, immunofluorescence and a mixed immunoglobulin rosette technique. The overall incidence of cats with antibodies was 40%, contrasting with 6% in the surrounding rural area. Only 6% of urban kittens were positive while 50% of adults had antibodies. The incidence in adults rose from 29% at 5–6 months to 74% in cats over 3 years. Stray cats had an incidence twice as high as that of domestic pets. These results support and extend earlier findings that FeLV infection is common and is horizontally transmitted.