Tabakaeva T.V., Tsybulsky A.V., Baranchugova K.A., Galkina I.V., Shchelkanov M.YU.
Veterinary Science Today 2023; 12(1): 29-37
Leukemia is a large group of diseases different in etiopathogenetic mechanisms and common in almost all mammalian species. The review focuses on feline leukemia, a common disease of domestic and wild felids (Carnivora, Felidae), being one of the main causes of their deaths. Feline leukemia pathogenesis and etiology are described; possible methods for the infection treatment and prevention, as well as possibility of using cats as a model for feline leukemia study are assessed. Feline leukemia etiological agent is a feline leukemia virus (FeLV), having single-stranded RNA genome surrounded with icosahedral capsid formed by p27 capsid protein monomers. Leukemia clinical manifestations in felids depend on high virulence of the virus and the disease is characterized with pronounced clinical picture and multiple organ dysfunction. Treatment of leukemia in cats is ineffective and is mainly aimed at maintaining the functions of the body organs and systems. Immunomodulators and chemotherapy are also used. Vaccination is used as a preventive measure, but commercially available adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccines do not confer effective protection from the infection. The leukemia virus is reported in wild felids including rare and endangered feline species that is undoubtedly affects their population sizes. Despite very few data on leukemia, the reported cases show that leukemia in large cats is also severe and fatal. Feline leukemia, despite the accumulated of data, remains an ongoing serious and unresolved problem not only for veterinarians, but also for ecologists, zoologists and virologists involved in the research related to the feline family, study of retroviruses and biodiversity conservation on the planet. Further applied and fundamental research and verification thereof in the field of feline leukemia virus study, leukemia treatment and prevention are required.
