Study on epidemiology, clinical, clinical pathology and associated diseases of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in Iran
Subject Areas : Smal Animal MedicineMobin Abolfathi 1 , Behnam Pedram 2 * , Zahra Sadeqian 3
1 - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Graduate, Department of Veterinary Medicine Sho.C., Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
2 - Department of Veterinary Pathology, Sho.C., Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
3 - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Student, Department of Veterinary Medicine Sho.C., Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
Keywords: Feline leukemia virus, Feline immunodeficiency virus, Epidemiology,
Abstract :
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are significant retroviral infections in cats, often leading to severe illness or death if left uncontrolled. This retrospective study
aimed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, and clinical pathology associated with FeLV and FIV infections in cats in Tehran. Medical records from one year of referrals to a veterinary hospital were reviewed, and cats testing positive for either virus were included. Data were analyzed based on breed, age, sex, sterilization status, lifestyle, hematological findings (lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, hematocrit), albumin-to-globulin ratio, and clinical symptoms. Among 650 examined cats, 71 (10.92%) were positive for FIV and 38 (5.84%) for FeLV. FIV infection was most prevalent among native, street-dwelling, sterilized male cats aged 3–5 years, while FeLV infection was more common in native, domestic, sterilized female cats over five years old. Both infections were associated with neutropenia and lymphopenia. The most frequent clinical signs in both groups were lethargy and anorexia.
These findings highlight that FeLV and FIV infections present distinct epidemiological patterns and hematological alterations in cats. Given the relatively high prevalence observed and the overlap in clinical manifestations, early diagnosis, routine screening, and preventive management are essential to reduce transmission and improve feline health outcomes in Tehran and similar regions.
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