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Also known as '''''FeLV
Also known as '''''FeLV
[[Image:FeLV Electron Micrograph.jpg|thumb|right|150px|FeLV Electron Micrograph [http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp Public Health Image Library] Image #5610]]
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
[[Image:Kinetics of FeLV 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Kinetics of FeLV - Copyright Dr Brian Catchpole BVetMed PhD MRCVS]]
*Oncogenic retrovirus
*Causes neoplasia (lymphoma), myelosuppression (anaemia) and immunosuppression (of [[Lymphocytes#T cells|T cells]])
*2 strains:
**FeLV-A
***Natural strain
**FeLV-B
***Formed through FeLV-A recombining with endogenous retroviral sequences in the feline genome
***Increases the risks of lymphoma
**FeLV-C
***Formed from the spontaneous mutation of FeLV-A
***Is more myelosuppressive
*Virus replicates in the oropharyngeal lymphoid tissue causing a viraemia (virus circulating in the bloodstream) which then spreads to the systemic lymphoid tissue
*Shed in saliva
*Passed by oronasal route, e.g. mutual grooming
*Kittens between 6 weeks and 6 months are most susceptible
*60% of cats will become immune to the disease and recover
*Cats that are persistently viraemic will progress to develop FeLV-associated diseases
*Some cats will become viraemic again if treated with corticosteroids or stressed if the infection lies dormant in the [[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]]
==Pathogenesis==
==Pathogenesis==
===Vaccination===
===Vaccination===
Ideally, this should take place once antigen-negative status has been determined by laboratory testing. '''Leukogen''' is a subunit vaccine (using envelope protein gp70) produced in ''E. coli'' mixed with Quill-A and alhydrogel. Others include inactivated virus and canarypox recombinants, but all MUST include FeLV-A.
Ideally, this should take place once antigen-negative status has been determined by laboratory testing. '''Leukogen''' is a subunit vaccine (using envelope protein gp70) produced in ''E. coli'' mixed with Quill-A and alhydrogel. Others include inactivated virus and canarypox recombinants, but all MUST include FeLV-A.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Where treatment is undertaken, anti-retroviral therapy is indicated with antibiotics to control secondary infections. Prevention is a key element in the treatment of FeLV overall.
[[Category:Mammalian Type C retrovirus ]][[Category:Cat]][[Category:Secondary Immunodeficiency]]
[[Category:Mammalian Type C retrovirus ]][[Category:Cat]][[Category:Secondary Immunodeficiency]]
[[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haemopoietic Diseases]]