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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / February 2004

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FeLV Testing

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frlpwr - 21 Feb 2004 23:13 GMT
Anyone know how soon after exposure an FeLV test can accurately detect
the virus or antigen in the bloodstream?

A tame, 12 week old kitten was dumped in a feral colony where two adult
cats (now deceased) were found to be FeLV positive.  Two other adult
cats are still alive and, at present, asymptomatic.  These remaining
adults are relative newcomers and, although they tested negative within
the last 12 months, did live for several months with the FeLV infected
cats.

The kitten was trapped within two days of her arrival.  She was spayed
and tested negative for FIV/FeLV yesterday.  I am reluctant to offer her
for adoption as an FeLV negative cat if she could be in the early stages
of viral incubation.  

Any advice appreciated.
Phil P. - 22 Feb 2004 01:13 GMT
> Anyone know how soon after exposure an FeLV test can accurately detect
> the virus or antigen in the bloodstream?
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> for adoption as an FeLV negative cat if she could be in the early stages
> of viral incubation.

Young kittens (<4 months) are very susceptibe to FeLV infection.  However,
three days elapsed between  her initial exposure and testing?  Effective
transmission of FeLV requires *prolonged*, intimate contact or a bite wound.
I usually rely on ELISA negs, however, for your own peace of mind and to be
extra sure, you could have her retested in a few days to a week.

False ELISAs are extremly rare unless there's been a human error.  The only
other possibilty for a false ELISA negative is a latent infection.  In
latency, the virus doesn't reproduce and thus doesn't release any P-27
antigen that can be detected.  Latent infections are also rare.

The in-house FeLV ELISA Snap Test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is
extremely sensitive - about 100 times more sensitive than the FeLV IFA
(immunofluorescent antibody).  The ELISA dectects antigen *circulating* in
the blood long before the infection reaches the bone marrow - which can take
as long as 1-3 months.

If there's any P-27 circulating in her bloodstream, the ELISA should dectect
it within a few days.  However, a single ELISA does *not* mean the cat is
infected or harboring an active infection.  If she does retest postive on
the ELISA, have her retested with IFA in a month.  Most cats that test
ELISA+ for FeLV clear the virus.  So *please * don't make any life or death
decisions based on a positive ELISA/

Good luck.

Phil

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