Feline t-lymphotropic virus (FTLV) (feline immunodeficiency virus infection) in cats in New Zealand

Authors: Swinney GR, Jones BR, Wilks CR, Pauli JV
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 41-43, Mar 1989
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Disease surveillance, Viral, Immune system/immunology, Disease/defect, Infectious disease
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In 1987, a highly T-lymphotropic virus was isolated from cats in a cattery in California. This so-called Feline T-lymphotropic lentivirus (FTLV) is the newest member of the retrovirus family. Antibody to the FTLV virus has been demonstrated in cats in Britain, Europe, Japan and Australia, in addition to the cases in America. FTLV is related to the other important feline retrovirus, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), but it does not cause tumours and is not classified in the oncornavirus subfamily. Instead, it resembles the characteristics of the non-oncogenic retroviruses that are associated with chronic progressive infections-the sub-family lentivirus. Others in the family include the causative agents…

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