Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections in cats presented to two RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) animal rehoming centres and to identify risk factors for infection. All...

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Main Authors: Stavisky, Jenny, Dean, Rachel S., Molloy, Michael Henry
Format: Article
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2017
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Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40146/
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author Stavisky, Jenny
Dean, Rachel S.
Molloy, Michael Henry
author_facet Stavisky, Jenny
Dean, Rachel S.
Molloy, Michael Henry
author_sort Stavisky, Jenny
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections in cats presented to two RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) animal rehoming centres and to identify risk factors for infection. All cats presented at each centre between August 2011 and August 2012 were subjected to a patient-side test for FeLV/FIV on entry. Kittens under three months and cats euthanased within a short time of presentation were excluded from the study. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to separately determine risk factors for FeLV and FIV infections. At shelter A, the prevalence of FIV infection was 11.4 per cent (54/474) and FeLV infection was 3 per cent (14/473), with two FIV/FeLV coinfections identified. At shelter B, the prevalence of FIV infection was 3 per cent (4/135) and FeLV infection was 0 per cent (0/135). Cats at shelter A were significantly more likely than those at shelter B to test positive for FIV (p=0.0024) and FeLV (p=0.048). Male cats were more likely to be infected with FIV (odds ratio 27.1, p=0.001), and thin body condition and musculoskeletal disease were associated with risk of FeLV. Overall, FIV-positive and FeLV-positive cats were significantly older (median ages 5.1 and 4.75 years, respectively) than the uninfected populations (median ages 3.4 and 3.5 years, respectively). This study shows that the prevalence of these diseases varies between shelter populations. Local knowledge combined with the risk factors identified may be useful in focusing resources for population testing strategies.
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spelling nottingham-401462020-05-04T19:14:26Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40146/ Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012) Stavisky, Jenny Dean, Rachel S. Molloy, Michael Henry The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections in cats presented to two RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) animal rehoming centres and to identify risk factors for infection. All cats presented at each centre between August 2011 and August 2012 were subjected to a patient-side test for FeLV/FIV on entry. Kittens under three months and cats euthanased within a short time of presentation were excluded from the study. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to separately determine risk factors for FeLV and FIV infections. At shelter A, the prevalence of FIV infection was 11.4 per cent (54/474) and FeLV infection was 3 per cent (14/473), with two FIV/FeLV coinfections identified. At shelter B, the prevalence of FIV infection was 3 per cent (4/135) and FeLV infection was 0 per cent (0/135). Cats at shelter A were significantly more likely than those at shelter B to test positive for FIV (p=0.0024) and FeLV (p=0.048). Male cats were more likely to be infected with FIV (odds ratio 27.1, p=0.001), and thin body condition and musculoskeletal disease were associated with risk of FeLV. Overall, FIV-positive and FeLV-positive cats were significantly older (median ages 5.1 and 4.75 years, respectively) than the uninfected populations (median ages 3.4 and 3.5 years, respectively). This study shows that the prevalence of these diseases varies between shelter populations. Local knowledge combined with the risk factors identified may be useful in focusing resources for population testing strategies. BMJ Publishing Group 2017-10-26 Article PeerReviewed Stavisky, Jenny, Dean, Rachel S. and Molloy, Michael Henry (2017) Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012). Veterinary Record, 181 (17). 451/1-451/5. ISSN 2042-7670 feline immunodeficiency; feline leukaemia virus; infectious diseases; prevalence; shelter medicine http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/181/17/451 doi:10.1136/vr.103857 doi:10.1136/vr.103857
spellingShingle feline immunodeficiency; feline leukaemia virus; infectious diseases; prevalence; shelter medicine
Stavisky, Jenny
Dean, Rachel S.
Molloy, Michael Henry
Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)
title Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)
title_full Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)
title_fullStr Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)
title_short Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)
title_sort prevalence of and risk factors for fiv and felv infection in two shelters in the united kingdom (2011-2012)
topic feline immunodeficiency; feline leukaemia virus; infectious diseases; prevalence; shelter medicine
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40146/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40146/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40146/