Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Survival and symptoms in cats with progressive or regressive FeLV
By Biezus, Giovana et al.·Published in PloS one·2025·Departament of Veterinary Medicine, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Survival analysis and clinical abnormalities in cats with progressive or regressive feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in Brazil.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 176 cats in Brazil were studied to understand how feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection affects their health and lifespan. Cats with progressive FeLV infection had a median survival time of just 30 days after diagnosis, while those with regressive infection lived longer without a significant impact on their lifespan. The main health issues leading to death in cats with progressive infection included lymphoma, leukemia, and anemia. This research highlights the serious risks associated with progressive FeLV infection and suggests that early detection and monitoring are crucial for affected cats.
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the clinical presentations and effects of progressive and regressive outcomes of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection on the life expectancy of cats. In total, 176 cats were selected: 116 with progressive infection (FeLV+P), 30 with regressive infection (FeLV+ R), and 30 FeLV-negative cats (Control). The cats underwent testing using ELISA to detect the FeLV p27 antigen and nested polymerase chain reaction to identify U3-LTR region and gag proviral DNA. The cats were clinically monitored until their death or for a period ranging 12-54 months. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. The median survival time following FeLV diagnosis was 30 days for the FeLV+P group. The median survival time was not reached for the other groups. The cats' health status (sick) at the time of inclusion in the study and the progression status of the FeLV infection led to a 4-5-fold increase in the Hazard Ratio (HR) for death in the general population. The primary causes of death among cats in the FeLV+P group were lymphoma, leukemia, anemia, and other diseases. In the FeLV+R group, the causes of death included leukemia, anemia, and other diseases. Progressive FeLV infection reduced life expectancy, whereas regressive FeLV infection had no direct impact on the survival curve.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40591622/