Detailed description
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects only felines and is not infectious to humans. The FeLV genome has three genes: the env gene encodes the surface glycoprotein gp70 and the transmembrane protein p15E; POL genes encode reverse transcriptase, proteases, and integrases; The GAG gene encodes viral endogenous proteins such as nucleocapsid protein.
FeLV virus consists of two identical RNA strands and related enzymes, including reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease, wrapped in capsid protein (p27) and the surrounding matrix, with the outermost layer being an envelope derived from the host cell membrane containing gp70 glycoprotein and transmembrane protein p15E.
Antigen detection: immunochromatography detects free P27 antigen. This diagnostic method is highly sensitive but lacks specificity, and antigen test results are negative when cats develop degenerative infection.
When the antigen test is positive but does not show clinical symptoms, complete blood count, blood biochemical test, and urine test can be used to check whether there is abnormality. Compared with cats not infected with FELV, cats infected with FELV are more likely to develop anemia, thrombocytopenic disease, neutropenia, lymphocytosis.