IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Cunningham, M.W. | |
| Epizootiology of feline leukemia virus in the florida panther | |
| 2005 Full Book | |
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has been reported only rarely in non-domestic felids and was not detected in Florida panthers (_Puma concolor coryi_) during almost 20 yr of routine surveillance. The finding of two FeLV antigen-positive panthers during the 2002-2003 capture season led to a prospective and retrospective investigation of the epizootiology of this disease in the population. Archived serum was tested for FeLV antibodies to assess history of exposure. To determine prevalence and distribution, panthers were captured throughout their range and tested for FeLV antigen by ELISA. Positive tests were confirmed by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test and viral culture. The outcome following exposure in panthers was inferred from ELISA antigen and antibody, IFA, and PCR results. All infected panthers were monitored by radio-telemetry and necropsied following detection of a mortality signal. Between 1990 and 2005, the prevalence of positive antibody tests increased significantly and were concentrated in the northern portion of panther range. The prevalence of antigenemia (positive ELISA antigen) among panthers and Texas pumas >1 yr of age, not previously = 1). Average time from diagnosis to death was 9.25 (SD ñ10.3) wk in antigenemic panthers. Following exposure, panthers developed transient, latent, or persistent infections. The high localized prevalence of antigenemic panthers in OKS (45.5%) demonstrates the potential impact of this disease on the population. Management to control the epizootic currently includes vaccination and test-removal. No new cases have been diagnosed since July 2004. vaccinated for FeLV, and sampled between July 2002 and June 2005, was 7% (5 of 71). Antigenemic panthers were captured or recovered in the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest (OKS) in the northern portion of panther range. All antigenemic panthers were positive by viral culture and three were IFA positive at capture. Clinical signs and clinical pathology at capture (n = 4) included lymphadenopathy, moderate to severe anemia, lymphopenia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All infected panthers died during the study period; causes of deaths were septicemia (n = 2), intraspecific aggression (n = 2), and unknown (n = 1). Average time from diagnosis to death was 9.25 (SD ñ10.3) wk in antigenemic panthers. Following exposure, panthers developed transient, latent, or persistent infections. The high localized prevalence of antigenemic panthers in OKS (45.5%) demonstrates the potential impact of this disease on the population. Management to control the epizootic currently includes vaccination and test-removal. No new cases have been diagnosed since July 2004. |
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