Clinical study of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in domestic cats in São Paulo

Abstract

In order to study the magnitude of distribution of feline leukemia virus (FLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) among domestic cats in São Paulo, 401 animals from both sexes, different ages and breeds, were tested for antibodies (FIV) and viral soluble antigens (FLV) by means of ELISA (feline leukemia virus antigen / feline immunodeficiency virus antibody - CITE ® - Agrytech Sistems Inc.). Among these animals, 123 were healthy cats and 278 were patients at the Department of Medical Clinics / Veterinary Hospital of Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo due to various diseases eight (6,5%) FIV positive cats and two (1,6%) FLV positive cats were found among healthy animals in opposition to 39 (14%) and 30 (10,8%) sick cats regents to FIV and FLV antigens and antibodies, respectively. All animals but one presented single infection. FIV infection was four times more frequent among males when compared to females; nevertheless, no difference was found related to FVL infection. Opportunistic infections as those caused by Hemobartonella felis were the most common baseline disease found among FIV or FLV infected cats. When tumors, were considered the mediastinal lymphoma was the most frequent type found among FVL infected cats. A variety of other diseases was observed, associated to both retroviruses infection. The mean age of FIV infect animals was 4,4 + 3,0 years old and 2,4 ± 1,7 years old FLV infected cats. All infected, symptomatic animals died during the two years of  observation, while all healthy, infected cats survived, allowing the conclusion that period of latency post-infection may be long.