Seroepidemiology of feline leukaemia and feline immunodeficiency virus in domestic and feral cats in Grenada.

ABSTRACT

The serological prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections in domestic and feral cats in Grenada was studied using serum samples collected from 237 cats. The serum samples were tested for antibodies to the two viruses with the IDEXX ninety-six well micro assay plate ELISA kits. For confirmation, positive samples were further tested with the IDEXX comb FIV and FeLV snap tests. The overall prevalence of FeLV and FIV in cats in this study was 0% (n=237) and 19% (45/237), respectively. The seroplrevalence of FIV was 6.7% (7/104) in domestic cats and 28.6% (38/133) in feral cats. Feral cats had a significantly (p<0.05) higher FIV seroprevalence than domestic cats, and there was a significantly greater FIV seroprevalence in males compared to females as well as in cats 1 year of age and older compared to cats under one year. This study establishes the prevalence of FIV infection in Grenada. The negative FeLV results in our study are probably a reflection of Grenada's relative isolation and lack of numerous amicable contacts that occur when many cats share a close living space.