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<p>This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological changes in a population of cats tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), in an Italian Veterinary University Hospital, in the period between January 2002 and May 2016. During the period of 14 years, 1834 cats were tested, and of these 241/1834 (13.1%) were positive for FIV antibodies and 92/1834 (5%) cats were positive for FeLV antigen. These data confirm the presence of a high prevalence of these viruses on Italian territory. To the authors’ knowledge, this study describes findings that have never been evaluated before, such as iron status in retrovirus-infected cats and urinalysis in FeLV-positive cats. In this study, FIV-positive cats were more likely to have higher serum protein concentration and lower albumin-globulin ratio than other groups of cats. Lower urine specific gravity and higher urine protein to creatinine ratio were also detected for FIV-positive cats when compared with negative and healthy cats. FeLV-positive cats were more likely to have cytopenia, decreased haemoglobin, haematocrit and RBC compared with other groups of cats. The data obtained underline the importance of considering retroviral infections in the presence of a broad spectrum of risk factors and laboratory anomalies.</p>
</abstract>

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological changes in a population of cats tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), in an Italian Veterinary University Hospital, in the period between January 2002 and May 2016. During the period of 14 years, 1834 cats were tested, and of these 241/1834 (13.1%) were positive for FIV antibodies and 92/1834 (5%) cats were positive for FeLV antigen. These data confirm the presence of a high prevalence of these viruses on Italian territory. To the authors’ knowledge, this study describes findings that have never been evaluated before, such as iron status in retrovirus-infected cats and urinalysis in FeLV-positive cats. In this study, FIV-positive cats were more likely to have higher serum protein concentration and lower albumin-globulin ratio than other groups of cats. Lower urine specific gravity and higher urine protein to creatinine ratio were also detected for FIV-positive cats when compared with negative and healthy cats. FeLV-positive cats were more likely to have cytopenia, decreased haemoglobin, haematocrit and RBC compared with other groups of cats. The data obtained underline the importance of considering retroviral infections in the presence of a broad spectrum of risk factors and laboratory anomalies.

Clinicopathological Findings in Cats Tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences

Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna

Acta Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological changes in a population of cats tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline...

Clinicopathological Findings in Cats Tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)

Publié en ligne: 13 déc. 2022

Pages: 419 - 432

Reçu: 20 avr. 2022

Accepté: 21 oct. 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2022-0034

Mots clés
clinicopathological findings, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus, iron, UPC ratio, urinalysis

© 2022 Mara Battilani et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Clinicopathological Findings in Cats Tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)

Publié en ligne: 13 déc. 2022

Pages: 419 - 432

Reçu: 20 avr. 2022

Accepté: 21 oct. 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2022-0034

Mots clésclinicopathological findings, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus, iron, UPC ratio, urinalysis

© 2022 Mara Battilani et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
clinicopathological findings, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus, iron, UPC ratio, urinalysis