Report of the National FeLV/FIV Awareness Project

T he FeL V and the feline immunodeficiency vi- rus (FIV) are the 2 most common pathogenic retroviruses reported in feline populations.Although the viruses induce disease manifestations that are clinically ind istinguishable, the physical properties of the viral particles are clearly distinct. 1The FeLV was initially described by Jarrett et al 2 in 1964 and has been classified in the Oncornaviridae subfamily of retroviruses .In add ition to the oncogenic potential of the virus, Fel V infection can result in a number of degenerative and immunosuppressive disorders , including chronic gingivitis, stomatitis, oral ulcers and chronic respiratory tract disease . 3The FlY was initially identified and isolated by Pedersen et al 4 in 1986 and has been classified in the retroviral subfamily Lentiviridae.The primary disease syndro me induced by FlY infection also is degenerative and immunosuppressive in nature and includes chronic infections of the mouth, nasal passages, and intestinal tract; lymphadenopathy; and fever. 5he generation of polyclonal antibodies to FeL V, and monoclonal antibodies specific for the group-associated antigen of Fel V led to the development of specific immunoassays for the detection of Fe LV antigen 2,6 The continuous propagation of FlY in an established feline cell line and the purification of FlY from cell culture led to the developm ent of immunoassays for the detec tion of antibody to FIy. 4 ,7 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, initially developed separately for the detection of FelV antigen CAg) and FlY antibody CAb), were subsequently combined to construct an assay for simultaneous detection of Fel V Ag and/or FlY Ab. aThe purpose of the National FelV/ FIY Awareness Proj ec t was to de termine the nationwide distribution of the viruses among cats with clinical