Feline Leukemia Virus

Stutzer B, Muller F, Majzoub M, et al. Role of latent feline leukemia virus infection in nonregenerative cytopenias of cats. J Vet Intern Med. Nov 17 2009.

Nonregenerative cytopenias such as nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia are a common finding in cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). The objective of this study was to assess the role of latent FeLV infection in bone marrow in cats with nonregenerative cytopenias that had a negative FeLV antigen blood test. Thirty-seven cats were included in the patient group meeting inclusion criteria of a nonregenerative cytopenia of unknown origin and a negative FeLV antigen test result. The group’s results were compared to two control groups that also totaled 37 cats. Whole blood and bone marrow samples were tested for FeLV using two different PCR assays. Results indicated that PCR from bone marrow could be considered a more sensitive method to detect FeLV latency than PCR of whole blood. Two of the 37 cats (5.4%) in the patient groups were positive on bone marrow PCR results and were considered infected with FeLV. The latent FeLV infection in those two cats was the possible cause of the observed nonregenerative cytopenia. [VT]

Related articles:
Herring ES, Troy GC, Toth TE, Forrester SD, Weigt LA, Herring IP. Detection of feline leukaemia virus in blood and bone marrow of cats with varying suspicion of latent infection. J Feline Med Surg. Sep 2001;3(3):133-141.

Torres AN, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Re-examination of feline leukemia virus: host relationships using real-time PCR. Virology. Feb 5 2005;332(1):272-283.

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Stutzer B, Muller F, Majzoub M, et al. Role of latent feline leukemia virus infection in nonregenerative cytopenias of cats. J Vet Intern Med. Nov 17 2009.

Nonregenerative cytopenias such as nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia are a common finding in cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). The objective of this study was to assess the role of latent FeLV infection in bone marrow in cats with nonregenerative cytopenias that had a negative FeLV antigen blood test. Thirty-seven cats were included in the patient group meeting inclusion criteria of a nonregenerative cytopenia of unknown origin and a negative FeLV antigen test result. The group’s results were compared to two control groups that also totaled 37 cats. Whole blood and bone marrow samples were tested for FeLV using two different PCR assays. Results indicated that PCR from bone marrow could be considered a more sensitive method to detect FeLV latency than PCR of whole blood. Two of the 37 cats (5.4%) in the patient groups were positive on bone marrow PCR results and were considered infected with FeLV. The latent FeLV infection in those two cats was the possible cause of the observed nonregenerative cytopenia. [VT]

Related articles:
Herring ES, Troy GC, Toth TE, Forrester SD, Weigt LA, Herring IP. Detection of feline leukaemia virus in blood and bone marrow of cats with varying suspicion of latent infection. J Feline Med Surg. Sep 2001;3(3):133-141.

Torres AN, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA. Re-examination of feline leukemia virus: host relationships using real-time PCR. Virology. Feb 5 2005;332(1):272-283.

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Bacterial Peritonitis in Cats

Ruthrauff CM, Smith J, Glerum L. Primary bacterial septic peritonitis in cats: 13 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. Nov-Dec 2009;45(6):268-276.

Primary septic peritonitis is an abdominal infection without a primary focus, such as a perforated bowel. The most common cause in cats is feline infectious peritonitis. Little is known about primary bacterial septic peritonitis in cats. The investigators examined the medical records of twelve cats diagnosed with primary bacterial septic peritonitis and identified significant characteristics associated with this condition. The overall mortality rate was 31%, and cats that experienced clinically significant decreased heart rates and hypothermia did not survive. Other clinical findings were similar to cats with septic peritonitis from identifiable causes (e.g., fever, abdominal pain, elevated white blood cell counts, elevated serum bilirubin). All cats had anaerobic bacteria isolated from the infection; these microbes are common in the gastrointestinal tract. This would indicate that in these cases, antibiotic treatment directed against anaerobes should be effective. All but two of the organisms identified in these cases are common oral flora, but gingival disease was not found to be a contributor. For primary bacterial septic peritonitis, a mechanism for inoculation of the bacteria into the abdomen has yet to be determined, but an oral source is suggested. The investigators concluded that cats with primary bacterial septic peritonitis have a fair to good prognosis if they are treated aggressively prior to development of shock. This treatment should include surgical intervention, nutritional support, and appropriate antibiotic therapy. [MK]

Related Articles:
King LG. Postoperative complications and prognostic indicators in dogs and cats with septic peritonitis: 23 cases (1989-1992). J Am Vet Med Assoc. Feb 1 1994;204(3):407-414.

Bonczynski JJ, Ludwig LL, Barton LJ, Loar A, Peterson ME. Comparison of peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood pH, bicarbonate, glucose, and lactate concentration as a diagnostic tool for septic peritonitis in dogs and cats. Vet Surg. Mar-Apr 2003;32(2):161-166.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Ruthrauff CM, Smith J, Glerum L. Primary bacterial septic peritonitis in cats: 13 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. Nov-Dec 2009;45(6):268-276.

Primary septic peritonitis is an abdominal infection without a primary focus, such as a perforated bowel. The most common cause in cats is feline infectious peritonitis. Little is known about primary bacterial septic peritonitis in cats. The investigators examined the medical records of twelve cats diagnosed with primary bacterial septic peritonitis and identified significant characteristics associated with this condition. The overall mortality rate was 31%, and cats that experienced clinically significant decreased heart rates and hypothermia did not survive. Other clinical findings were similar to cats with septic peritonitis from identifiable causes (e.g., fever, abdominal pain, elevated white blood cell counts, elevated serum bilirubin). All cats had anaerobic bacteria isolated from the infection; these microbes are common in the gastrointestinal tract. This would indicate that in these cases, antibiotic treatment directed against anaerobes should be effective. All but two of the organisms identified in these cases are common oral flora, but gingival disease was not found to be a contributor. For primary bacterial septic peritonitis, a mechanism for inoculation of the bacteria into the abdomen has yet to be determined, but an oral source is suggested. The investigators concluded that cats with primary bacterial septic peritonitis have a fair to good prognosis if they are treated aggressively prior to development of shock. This treatment should include surgical intervention, nutritional support, and appropriate antibiotic therapy. [MK]

Related Articles:
King LG. Postoperative complications and prognostic indicators in dogs and cats with septic peritonitis: 23 cases (1989-1992). J Am Vet Med Assoc. Feb 1 1994;204(3):407-414.

Bonczynski JJ, Ludwig LL, Barton LJ, Loar A, Peterson ME. Comparison of peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood pH, bicarbonate, glucose, and lactate concentration as a diagnostic tool for septic peritonitis in dogs and cats. Vet Surg. Mar-Apr 2003;32(2):161-166.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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