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==Transmission and Epidemiology==

==Transmission and Epidemiology==

The major route of transmission is via saliva, particularly through biting^{2, 3}. Therefore, those cats showing territorial aggression are most at risk of contracting FIV. High levels of virus are found in the saliva of infected cats, particularly those in the stages of acute or terminal infection³. Less commonly, salivary transmission can occur via shared food bowls and mutual grooming. Vertical transmission can occur, either transplacentally or via milk², but venereal transmission has not been reported. The potential role of blood-sucking insects, such as fleas, in spreading infection is unknown².

The major route of transmission is via saliva, particularly through biting^{2, 3}. Therefore, those cats showing territorial aggression are most at risk of contracting FIV. High levels of virus are found in the saliva of infected cats, particularly those in the stages of acute or terminal infection³. Less commonly, salivary transmission can occur via shared food bowls and mutual grooming. Vertical transmission can occur, either transplacentally or via milk², but venereal transmission has not been reported. The likelihood of infected kittens being born to a FIV-infected mother depends on the stage of infection: up to 70% of kittens are born infected if thr queen suffers acute infection during pregnancy, but chronic infection of the mother rarely results in transplacental transmission⁴. The potential role of blood-sucking insects, such as fleas, in spreading infection is unknown².

It is clearly possible that horizontal transmission can occur within multi-cat households, but in some households only a single cat in a group may be FIV positive, whereas in others nearly every cat may be infected. Overall it appears that if fighting among cats housed together is rare, the prevalence of FIV is likely to be low.

It is clearly possible that horizontal transmission can occur within multi-cat households, but in some households only a single cat in a group may be FIV positive, whereas in others nearly every cat may be infected. Overall it appears that if fighting among cats housed together is rare, the prevalence of FIV is likely to be low⁴.

FIV infection is prevalent worldwide, with between 1 and 14% of healthy cats and up to 44% of sick cats harbering the virus⁴.

demonstrated that FIV is endemic in domestic cat populations worldwide; the

seroprevalence of FIV is highly variable between regions, with estimates of 1 to 14% in

cats with no clinical signs and up to 44% in sick cats [Hartmann 1998].

The majority of natural FIV infections are acquired by biting, presumably through the

inoculation of virus, or virus-infected cells, from the saliva of persistently infected cats.

ABCD Guidelines on Feline Immunodeficiency Virus 5/21

mating if bitten by an infected tomcat.

==Pathogenesis==

==Pathogenesis==