Quantitative analysis of the viral and proviral form of the virus leucose féline, Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) in cats or other felines (tiger, lion, panther, etc.). Allows detection of regressive or progressive infections.
Test indications
- Symptomatic animals:
- Diagnosis of FeLV infection causing various clinical signs (anemia, recurrent infections, lymphomas, etc.) particularly in localized forms (stomatitis) or tumors.
- Control of doubtful immunological tests, positive (interest of quantitative PCR) or negative in case of strong suspicion.
- Monitoring of viral and/or proviral blood load (contact us).
- Asymptomatic animals:
- Early phase of infection (recent contact)
- Control of blood donor cats : recommendation of theABCD
- Confirmation of a positive or doubtful result in immunological test (rapid test or carried out in a laboratory)
PCR makes it possible to detect regressive forms of infection during which immunological tests may be negative.
- Whatever the clinical status of the animal: Confirmation of questionable immunological tests.
Test characteristics
- Real-time RT-PCR: Quantitative amplification of viral RNA and DNA. Detection of provirus (virus genome integrated into the cat genome, essential in the replication cycle of retroviruses) and the free virus genome (translates viral replication).
- Detection threshold
- Analyse quantitative on plasma or serum for viral load monitoring (contact us).
Samples to be taken
- Song (EDTA)
- Blood (EDTA) and oropharyngeal cells (cytobrush or dry swab) in case of oral symptoms (stomatitis, gingivitis, etc.)
- CSF or aqueous humor for nervous/ocular forms (uveitis) (and possibly blood on EDTA)
- Tumor tissue, organs, lymph nodes… (not fixed)
Interpretation of the result
- Negative result: Absence of FeLV infection or viral load in the sample below the detection threshold of the test. Allows the etiology of leukosis to be excluded in a symptomatic animal.
- Positive result : The animal is infected with FeLV (the infection may eventually regress if the load is low). Some weak positive animals may turn out to be negative on subsequent analysis. However, it is unlikely that they got rid of the integrated form of the virus (provirus). It is advisable to monitor these animals regularly to check the evolution of their status (regressive/progressive infection, evolution of the viral load, etc.). Reactivation of the infection (regressive stage with progressive infection) is possible in certain circumstances (subsequent infection with FIV, immunosuppressive treatments, etc.).
Do not hesitate to Contact Us for an interpretation of the quantitative result