2020 AAFP Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management Guidelines

Guia sobre testes e manejo de retrovirus felinos da AAFP 2020

Autores

Susan Little,  Julie Levy, Katrin Hartmann, Regina Hofmann Lehmann, Margaret Hosie, Kelly St Denis

Abstract

Clinical importance: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
infections are found in cats worldwide. Both infections are associated with a variety of clinical
signs and can impact quality of life and longevity.
Scope: This document is an update of the 2008 American Association of Feline Practitioners’
feline retrovirus management guidelines and represents current knowledge on pathogenesis,
diagnosis, prevention and treatment of retrovirus infections in cats.
Testing and interpretation: Although vaccines are available for FeLV in many countries and for FIV in
some countries, identification of infected cats remains an important factor for preventing new infections.
The retrovirus status of every cat at risk of infection should be known. Cats should be tested as soon as
possible after they are acquired, following exposure to an infected cat or a cat of unknown infection status,
prior to vaccination against FeLV or FIV, and whenever clinical illness occurs. It might not be possible to
determine a cat’s infection status based on testing at a single point in time; repeat testing using different
methods could be required. Although FeLV and FIV infections can be associated with clinical disease,
some infected cats, especially those infected with FIV, can live for many years with good quality of life.
Management of infected cats: There is a paucity of data evaluating treatments for infected cats,
especially antiretroviral and immunomodulatory drugs. Management of infected cats is focused on effective
preventive healthcare strategies, and prompt identification and treatment of illness, as well as limiting the
spread of infection.

Keywords

Feline leukemia virus; feline immunodeficiency virus; FeLV; FIV; polymerase chain reaction;
PCR; diagnostics; veterinary sciences

Palavras-chave

Vírus da leucemia felina, vírus da imunodeficiência felina, reação de polimerase em cadeia, diagnóstico, ciência veterinária