Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency vírus and feline leucemia vírus in a portuguese intermunicipal shelter
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resumo
To better understand the prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia
Virus in cat shelters, an epidemiological study was conducted in an intermunicipal shelter in the Northeast
Portugal.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples were collected as part of routine plan for control and monitoring of
infectious diseases in cats at lntermunicipal Official Shelter. This shelter houses stray cats from the five
municipalities of Terra Quente Transmontana, which has permanent veterinary medical and nursing assistance
with daily exams, identification, registration, vaccination, deworming and neutering procedures. Blood
samples were collected during periodic checks carried out by the veterinarian in charge of the shelter, from
May 2017 to January 2021. A total of 1 71 samples were collected from stray cats housed at this shelter, that
serves: Alf§.ndega da Fe, Carrazeda de Ansiaes, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Mirandela and Vila Flor. A blood sample
was collected individually from each cat during medical routine check-ups. Blood was collected from the
cephalic vein. To diagnose FIV and FeLV, a kit based on immunochromatographic technique (Uranotest® FeLVFIV,
Urano®vet, S.L, Barcelona, Spain) was used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. This test
allows simultaneously qualitative detection of FIV antibody (gp40) and FeLV antigen (p27) in feline whole
blood, serum, and plasma. The Uranotest® FeLV-FIV reported a sensitivity of 94% versus viral isolation and
specificity of 99% versus viral isolation, for Fe LV, and a sensitivity of 96% versus Western Blot and a specificity
of 98% versus Western Blot, for FIV.
RESULTS: A total of 171 stray cats in the lntermunicipal Official Shelter were tested during the study period.
The sample consisted of 102 females (60%) and 69 males (40%). The overall prevalence of FIV and FeLV was
13.45% (23/171, 95% Cl: 9.13-19.37%) of the cats tested. The proportion of cats positive to FIV, FeLV and to
both FIV and FeLV was 9.36% (16/171, 95% Cl: 5.84-14.66%), 1.75% (3/171, 95% Cl: 0.60-5.03%) and 2.34%
(41171, 95% Cl: 0.91-5.86%), respectively.
CONCLUSION: The results indicated the overall seroprevalence of FIV and FeLV in stray cats entering the
lntermunicipal Official Shelter was very high and risk factors associated to seroprevalence need to be study
in further studies.
