EPIDEMIOLOGICAL-MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV) INFECTION IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO, NORTHEAST BRAZIL
Pro-viral DNA; Phylogeny; Shelter cats; Prevalence; FeLV
The objective of this research was to carry out an epidemiological-molecular study of infection by the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) in cats from shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (RMR), Pernambuco, Northeast of Brazil. The whole blood of 260 cats, cared for by 18 shelters, located in 5 municipalities in the RMR, were analyzed. The blood samples were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the pro-viral DNA of the FeLV virus. PCR-positive samples were sequenced and confirmed by BLAST software to construct the phylogenetic tree. The prevalence of positive cats was 9.5% (25/260). Collections were carried out in 19 shelters, in which there were positive cats in 31.6% (6/19) of the shelters. In relation to the municipalities, it was observed that 60% (3/5) had felines positive for FeLV infection. Among the positive felines, males had a prevalence of 52% (13/25), higher than females with 48% (12/25). Of the 22 sequenced samples, 18 sequences were used as queries for a search using Blast online to assemble a dataset. Subgroup A stood out in the scientific region. This study is pioneering in the state of Pernambuco and demonstrates the prevalence of FeLV infection in felines living in shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife-PE. Knowledge about the prevalence of the FeLV virus in the state of Pernambuco provides support for understanding the local situation and for the development of hygienic-sanitary programs in feline shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife-PE, contributing to awareness about responsible ownership and consequent reduction transmission of the FeLV virus among felines in the community.