بررسي سرولوژيك عفونت ناشي از ويروس لوسمي گربه سانانا (FeLV) در گربه هاي شهرستان اهواز

Serological survey of Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV) infection of cats in Ahvaz city

Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV) is considered as one of the most common disease-related deaths in pet cats. It is contagious between cat populations and has been estimated that approximately 33% of all cancer deaths in cats were caused by FeLV. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of FeLV infection in referred cats (companion) to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz University and stray cats in Ahvaz district. Serum samples were collected from 128 cats between 2005 and 2007. The studied cats were divided into two groups (stray and companion) and based on age into two groups (< 3 years and > 3 years). The results were analyzed using Fischerʹs exact test and Chi square test. Prevalence of FeLV infection in these cats was estimated as 12.5% (16 of 128) using immunochromatography assay (IC). The infection had more prevalence in affected cats of group two (above 3 years) (81.25%; 13 of 16) in comparison with cats of group one (less than 3 years) that was 18.75% (3 of 16) and there were significant differences between different age groups (P<0.05), but the infection was not significant between two sexes and among stray and companion cats (p>0.05). CBC showed leukopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia in most of the infected cats (56.25%; 9 of 16).