Prevalence and diagnosis of retroviral infections in cats

Cat retroviruses, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus cause diseases that have a wide range of clinical manifestations and forms of infection. Aretrospective analysis of data from the last three years in the studied hospitals showed that the infection of cats with retroviruses is 32.6% for FeLV and 13.6% for FIV from the number of infectious diseases. Such high rates indicate that one third of cats coming to veterinary clinics with infectious diseases are infected with retroviruses. These are primarily animals at risk that have free range. Early detection of such animals by a veterinarian is important for effective treatment and prevention of infection. We have adapted the algorithm for the diagnosis of retroviral infections in cats to domestic conditions and developed practical recommendations for veterinarians on the effective choice of laboratory methods for the diagnosis of retroviral infections. It was found that in clinics, the initial study of whole blood samples from infectiously infected cats was performed using commercial serological test systems VetExpert FIVAb + FeLVAg. After the results of the first stage of the study, the protocol of the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was tested. DNA isolation was performed using the IndiSpin Pathogen Kit. OneTaq® 2X Master PCR mix with Standard Buffer and specific oligonucleotides were used in the study. Proviral DNA was detected in 100% of blood samples for the respective pathogens FIV and FeLV. All animals that were pre-diagnosed with FIV and VLC infection at the first stage of diagnosis were diagnosed with proviral DNA and confirmed at the second stage of diagnosis. The use of the nested PCR method significantly increases the sensitivity and specificity of the study. The first stage of diagnosis allows a veterinarian to determine the infectious status of the animal on the basis of which to choose a treatment strategy and prevent transmission of the pathogen. The second stage of diagnosis allows you to clarify the previous diagnosis and establish the form of infection. The presence of a clear and understandable diagnostic algorithm is necessary for effective control of FIV and FeLV. Key words: polymerase chain reaction, feline viral leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, molecular diagnostics, retroviral infections, diagnostic algorithm.