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The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a retrovirus of the Lentivirus genus, distributed worldwide, that causes persistent infection with a significant impact on the cats' health. Due to the importance of this infection in feline medicine, this pioneering study aimed to obtain an integrated estimate of the global seroprevalence of FIV in cats and to characterize the factors associated with this infection. Four electronic databases were screened for observational studies with FIV seroprevalence in cats published globally for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The initial search method returned 873 studies, of which 113 met all predefined criteria and were therefore included in this review. Meta-analysis with general data was performed, and a combined global seropositivity of 9.43 % (95 % CI: 8.24 % - 10.78 %) was found. Seropositivity was 14.34 % (95 % CI = 10.92 % - 18.61 %) in Asia, 11.90 % (95 % CI = 9.82 % - 14.34 %) in Oceania, 10.90 % (95 % CI = 5.71 % - 19.82 %) in Central America, 9.43 % (95 % CI = 6.95 % - 12.66 %) in South America, 9 % (95 % CI = 0 - 80 %) in Africa, 8.98 % (95 % CI = 7.31 % - 10.98 %) in Europe, and 5.93 % (95 % CI = 4.33 % - 8.07 %) in North America. Meta-analysis of factors associated with seropositivity demonstrated that FIV seroprevalence was higher in male (Prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.53, 95 % CI = 2.16 - 2.95), adult (PR = 2.83, 95 % CI = 2.24 - 3.56), unowned status (PR = 1.47, 95 % CI = 1.07 - 2.03), sick status (PR = 2.46, 95 % CI = 1.97 - 3.06), and cats with outdoor access (PR = 4.38, 95 % CI = 2.26 - 8.47). The results demonstrated that FIV is globally distributed and has a high seroprevalence in some geographical areas. Information compiled from this research is relevant to understanding the worldwide epidemiology of FIV. It presents the potential to contribute to the planning of strategies focused on controlling and reducing cases in cat populations.

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BACKGROUND: Feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is often associated with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection; however, the role and clinical significance of this coinfection remain unknown. This study aimed to assess whether FIV is associated with L. infantum infection in cats from canine leishmaniosis endemic areas and to report the clinical signs and hematological alterations associated with coinfection. METHODS: A retrospective matched case-control study (ratio 1:2) was conducted. Data of clinical examination and complete blood count (CBC) were selected from a cohort of 705 cats examined for epidemiological studies on feline leishmaniosis conducted between 2012 and 2019. Ninety-one FIV seropositive cases and 182 FIV seronegative control cats were selected. Matching was done according to age, sex, lifestyle and geographic provenience of case cats. Rapid ELISA devices were mainly used to detect anti-FIV antibodies. Anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected by indirect-immunofluorescence test (IFAT). Leishmania DNA was searched in blood, oral and conjunctival swabs by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Feline immunodeficiency virus seropositive cats had no hematological abnormalities suggestive of an advanced stage of FIV infection and were statistically more frequently IFAT positive, and their risk of being L. infantum antibody positive was 2.8 greater than in the FIV seronegatives. The association of FIV seropositivity with L. infantum antibody positivity was confirmed in the univariable model of logistic regression. A multivariate model found FIV infection and L. infantum PCR positivity as predictors of a positive L. infantum IFAT result. Male outdoor cats from rural or suburban areas were at risk for FIV and L. infantum antibody positivity. Clinical signs more frequently associated with the coinfection were oral lesions, pale mucous membranes and low body condition score (BCS). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents that FIV seropositive cats with no hematological abnormalities suggestive of an advanced stage of FIV infection are more prone to be L. infantum seroreactive by IFAT in endemic areas. Therefore, FIV seropositive cats should be tested for L. infantum antibodies and treated for preventing sand fly bites. Pale mucous membranes, low BCS and oral lesions but no CBC abnormalities were significantly associated with the coinfection.

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Human transformation of natural habitats facilitates pathogen transmission between domestic and wild species. The guigna (Leopardus guigna), a small felid found in Chile, has experienced habitat loss and an increased probability of contact with domestic cats. Here, we describe the interspecific transmission of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) between domestic cats and guignas and assess its correlation with human landscape perturbation. Blood and tissue samples from 102 free-ranging guignas and 262 domestic cats were collected and analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Guigna and domestic cat FeLV and FIV prevalence were very similar. Phylogenetic analysis showed guigna FeLV and FIV sequences are positioned within worldwide domestic cat virus clades with high nucleotide similarity. Guigna FeLV infection was significantly associated with fragmented landscapes with resident domestic cats. There was little evidence of clinical signs of disease in guignas. Our results contribute to the understanding of the implications of landscape perturbation and emerging diseases.

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Retroviruses are among the leading causes of death in domestic cats. Retroviruses associate with the host cell in a persistent and permanent way, leading to diverse clinical conditions. The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the most pathogenic retrovirus with the potential to cause both degenerative diseases and immunosuppression, as well as proliferative diseases, as its association with the cell may lead to a direct oncogenic effect. The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), in turn, can lead to the classic immunodeficiency syndrome, usually has a chronic, less aggressive course and has no direct oncogenic effect. The use of vaccines and control measures has resulted in a decrease in the prevalence of FeLV in the United States of America (USA) and Europe, however, in Brazil, statistics show prevalence rates above 50%. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of feline retroviruses, by immunoenzymatic assay testing, in the region of Grande Vitória, in Espírito Santo and also point out the frequency of neoplasms in these cats. A total of 388 cats were retrospectively evaluated (2014-2016). The prevalence of FIV was 2.3% and FeLV was 33.7%. Neoplasms were identified in the three cats seropositive for FIV and FeLV and in three cats infected only with FIV. Neoplasms were also found in 26.6% of cats that were seropositive only for FeLV, especially mediastinal lymphoma. The high prevalence of FeLV demonstrated in this study highlights the need for establishing effective control measures, with emphasis on vaccination.

As retroviroses encontram-se entre as principais causas de morte em gatos domésticos. Os retrovírus associam-se à célula hospedeira de forma persistente e permanente, levando a quadros clínicos diversos. O vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV) é oretrovírus mais patogênico, com potencial para ocasionar tanto doenças degenerativas e imunossupressão, quanto doenças proliferativas, pois sua associação à célula pode levar ao efeito oncogênico direto. Já o vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV), pode levar à clássica síndrome de imunodeficiência, costuma ter um curso crônico, menos agressivo e não possui efeito oncogênico direto. O uso de vacinas e de medidas de controle resultaram em redução da prevalência de FeLV nos Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e Europa, entretanto, no Brasil, determinadas regiões podem apresentar prevalências superiores a 50%. Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência das retroviroses felinas, pelo teste de ensaio imunoenzimático, na região da Grande Vitória, no Espírito Santo, apontando ainda, a frequência de neoplasias nesses gatos. Um total de 388 gatos foram retrospectivamente avaliados (2014-2016). A prevalência de FIV foi de 2,3% e de FeLV 33,7%. Neoplasias foram identificadas nos três gatos sororeagentes para FIV e FeLV e em três gatos infectados apenas por FIV. Constatou-se a presença de neoplasias ainda em 26,6% dos gatos sororeagentes apenas para FeLV, com destaque para o linfoma na forma mediastinal. A elevada prevalência de FeLV demonstrada neste estudo aponta sobre a necessidade da instituição de medidas efetivas de controle, com destaque para a vacinação.

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Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), two of the most important pathogens of cats, produce chronic systemic diseases with progressive death of cells involved in the immune response, ultimately leading to death. Immunostimulants is one of the few alternatives to the symptomatic treatment. In this study, 27 naturally FeLV-infected (FeLV+) and 31 naturally FIV-infected (FIV+) cats were administered orally by their owners 60 IU/day of recombinant human interferon alpha (rHuIFN-α) for four months in alternate weeks. Clinical status was evaluated and blood samples collected at four different visits or months (M): pretreatment (M0), mid-treatment (M2), end of treatment (M4), and 4-8 months after end of treatment (M10). Most cats ostensibly improved their clinical status, and many became asymptomatic. rHuIFN-α treatment improved the anemic processes observed at M0 (at least in cats with mild or moderate anemia) and leukocyte counts, including a more favorable CD4+/CD8+ ratio. An increase in the serum gammaglobulin concentration was seen in 80% of the cats. Despite observing an obvious favorable progress in the clinical, biopathological, and CD4+/CD8+ values during treatment, almost invariably all the parameters analyzed worsened after treatment discontinuation (M10), which suggests that the interferon-α protocol should be either extended or include additional cycles for a long-lasting benefit in FeLV+ and FIV+ cats.

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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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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.(AU)

FIV and FeLV are Retrovirus associated mainly with feline neoplasms. Two point-of-care tests are commercially available in Brazil for diagnosis of these infections: a bidirectional flow immunochromatography kit (IDEXX SNAP ® Combo) and a lateral unidirectional flow immunochromatography kit (ALERE/BIONOTE Anigen Rapid). The aim of this study was to compare SNAP ® and ALERE tests. Blood samples obtained from 178 cats were evaluated using both tests. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used as confirmatory test for all samples. The sensitivity and specificity of SNAP ® test was 100% for FIV, and for ALERE test was 96.15% and 98.68%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for FeLV was 93.02% and 96.30% for SNAP ® test and 90.70% and 97.78% for ALERE test. Three samples with a qPCR positive result for FeLV obtained a false negative result in both SNAP ® and ALERE tests. There was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. Considering qPCR as gold standard method, the SNAP® test showed higher sensitivity and specificity for FIV, and the ALERE test presented higher specificity for FeLV. The results showed good agreement among the tests.(AU)

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