Seroprevalencija virusa mačje leukemije i mačje imunodeficijencije u kućnih mačaka iz Pereire, Risaralda, Kolumbija

Abstract

In Colombia, the increase in the population of domestic cats is directly related to outbreak diseases and associated with risks to domestic and wild animal health. Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are two retroviral agents representing the most significant cause of feline morbimortality. Since they can be easily transmitted between cats through body fluids, these viruses can cause neoplastic and non-neoplastic alterations, immunosuppression, non-specific chronic diseases, and infections by opportunistic microorganisms. In order to improve animal health status and prevent these diseases from spreading, a timely and reliable diagnosis is necessary to detect these infectious agents. However, due to factors such as the distribution, size, mobility, and growth of the population of domestic felines, the prevalence and possible risk factors associated with the presentation of these viruses are currently unknown. This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 100 domestic felines were sampled. The simultaneous diagnosis of the viruses was performed using whole blood samples for feline leukaemia and blood plasma for feline immunodeficiency and analysed by the Uranotest FeLV-FIV immunochromatographic dual method. The presence of infectious agents was correlated with study variables such as gender, age, origin, and feline habits. A prevalence of 14% for FIV and only 6% for FeLV was observed, with a 2% incidence of coinfection. Correlations were observed between infection and the age of the animals and their place of origin. The results allow us to know the current state of the spread of these infectious agents, which is essential for making decisions about animal health departmental prevention plans.