Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus of domestic cats that causes significant lifelong infection. Infection with this or similar lentiviruses has been detected in several nondomestic feline species, including African lions (Panthera leo). Although lion lentivirus (FIVple) infection is endemic in certain lion populations in eastern and southern Africa, little is known about its pathogenic effects or its epidemiological impact in free-ranging lions. This report describes the epidemiological investigation of lentivirus positivity of free-ranging lions in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. A nested polymerase chain reaction assay for virus detection was performed on all whole blood samples collected. In addition, serum samples were tested for cross-reactive antibodies to domestic feline lentivirus antigens and to puma lentivirus synthetic envelope peptide antigen. The results were analysed in conjunction with epidemiological data to provide a descriptive epidemiological study on lion lentivirus infection in a free-ranging population of lions. The overall prevalence of lentivirus infection was 69%, with a prevalence of 41% in the north of the park, and 80% in the south. Adult males had the highest prevalence when combining the factors of sex and age: 94%. The lowest prevalences were found among juveniles, with male juveniles at 29%. Adults were 5.58 times more likely to test positive for FIVple than juveniles, with adult males being 35 times more likely to be test positive for FIVple compared with juvenile males. This research represents the 1st epidemiological study of the lion lentivirus among free-ranging lions in the Kruger National Park.
Highlights
Feline immunodeficiency virus of domestic cats (FIVfca) is a member of the genus Lentivirus in the Retroviridae family and causes a significant lifelong infection in domestic felines (Felis catus)
Of the 77 lions for which epidemiological data were collected during the 2004 census, a total of 73 whole blood samples and 63 serum samples were obtained for lentivirus testing
Of the 63 serum samples, all were tested with the FIVpco enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); only 52 samples were banked in frozen storage and available for further testing (FIVfca ELISA)
Summary
Feline immunodeficiency virus of domestic cats (FIVfca) is a member of the genus Lentivirus in the Retroviridae family and causes a significant lifelong infection in domestic felines (Felis catus). The virus was first discovered in domestic cats with a history of chonic recurrent and opportunistic infections that resembled the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection[17]. Lentiviral infections have been detected in several nondomestic feline species, including African lions (Panthera leo) populations in eastern and southern Africa[4,5,13,15,19]. Feline lentivirus infection leads to immunological dysfuncaDepartment of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. BDepartment of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. CState Veterinary Services, Skukuza, Kruger National Park.
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