Wavy changes in the whiskers of domestic cats are correlated with feline leukemia virus infection.
FeLV
Feline leukemia virus
Pathology
Wavy whisker (WW)
Journal
BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
Titre abrégé: BMC Vet Res
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101249759
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
04 Mar 2023
04 Mar 2023
Historique:
received:
13
06
2022
accepted:
17
02
2023
entrez:
4
3
2023
pubmed:
5
3
2023
medline:
8
3
2023
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus with global impact on the health of domestic cats and is usually examined by serology. In our daily clinical practice, we noticed that cats infected with FeLV often possess wavy whiskers (sinus hairs on the face). To investigate the relationship between wavy whiskers (WW) and FeLV infection, the association between the presence or absence of wavy changes in whiskers and serological FeLV infection was examined in a total of 358 cats including 56 cats possessing WW, using the chi-square test. The results of blood tests from 223 cases were subjected to multivariate analysis (logistic analysis). Isolated whiskers were observed under light microscopy, and upper lip tissues (proboscis) were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. The prevalence of WW was significantly correlated with FeLV antigen positivity in the blood. Of 56 cases with WW, 50 (89.3%) were serologically positive for FeLV. The significant association between WW and serological FeLV positivity was also confirmed by multivariate analysis. In WW, narrowing, degeneration, and tearing of the hair medulla were observed. Mild infiltration of mononuclear cells in the tissues, but no degeneration or necrosis, was found. By immunohistochemistry, FeLV antigens (p27, gp70 and p15E) were observed in various epithelial cells including the sinus hair follicular epithelium of the whisker. The data suggest that the wavy changes in whiskers, a unique and distinctive external sign on a cat's face, were associated with FeLV infection.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus with global impact on the health of domestic cats and is usually examined by serology. In our daily clinical practice, we noticed that cats infected with FeLV often possess wavy whiskers (sinus hairs on the face). To investigate the relationship between wavy whiskers (WW) and FeLV infection, the association between the presence or absence of wavy changes in whiskers and serological FeLV infection was examined in a total of 358 cats including 56 cats possessing WW, using the chi-square test. The results of blood tests from 223 cases were subjected to multivariate analysis (logistic analysis). Isolated whiskers were observed under light microscopy, and upper lip tissues (proboscis) were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The prevalence of WW was significantly correlated with FeLV antigen positivity in the blood. Of 56 cases with WW, 50 (89.3%) were serologically positive for FeLV. The significant association between WW and serological FeLV positivity was also confirmed by multivariate analysis. In WW, narrowing, degeneration, and tearing of the hair medulla were observed. Mild infiltration of mononuclear cells in the tissues, but no degeneration or necrosis, was found. By immunohistochemistry, FeLV antigens (p27, gp70 and p15E) were observed in various epithelial cells including the sinus hair follicular epithelium of the whisker.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that the wavy changes in whiskers, a unique and distinctive external sign on a cat's face, were associated with FeLV infection.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36871053
doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03610-7
pii: 10.1186/s12917-023-03610-7
pmc: PMC9985215
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
58Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
Références
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2011 Oct 15;143(3-4):243-5
pubmed: 21757241
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 1995 May;46(1-2):127-37
pubmed: 7618252
Am J Vet Res. 1983 Nov;44(11):2054-9
pubmed: 6316819
J Feline Med Surg. 2010 Jun;12(6):447-50
pubmed: 20138558
Vet J. 2019 Sep;251:105350
pubmed: 31492387
J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2020 Jan;30(1):97-101
pubmed: 31854510
Nature. 1964 May 9;202:567-9
pubmed: 14195054
J Feline Med Surg. 2020 Jan;22(1):5-30
pubmed: 31916872
EJIFCC. 2009 Jan 20;19(4):203-11
pubmed: 27683318
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2011 Oct 15;143(3-4):190-201
pubmed: 21807418
Viruses. 2012 Oct 31;4(11):2684-710
pubmed: 23202500
J Virol. 1980 Aug;35(2):542-6
pubmed: 6255191
Viruses. 2019 Sep 11;11(9):
pubmed: 31514435
J Natl Cancer Inst. 1978 Nov;61(5):1315-21
pubmed: 213612
J Virol. 2006 Apr;80(7):3378-85
pubmed: 16537605
J Virol. 1999 Mar;73(3):2509-16
pubmed: 9971836
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2008 May 15;123(1-2):124-8
pubmed: 18304650
J Feline Med Surg. 2020 Sep;22(9):831-846
pubmed: 32845225
J Virol Methods. 2016 Nov;237:40-46
pubmed: 27587291
J Feline Med Surg. 2009 Jul;11(7):565-74
pubmed: 19481036
J Virol. 1999 Aug;73(8):6500-5
pubmed: 10400745
J Natl Cancer Inst. 1979 Sep;63(3):759-68
pubmed: 224237
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991 Nov 15;199(10):1365-73
pubmed: 1666084
J Virol. 1994 Apr;68(4):2151-60
pubmed: 8138999
Nature. 1973 Aug 3;244(5414):266-9
pubmed: 4147636
Vet Rec. 1982 Apr 3;110(14):325-8
pubmed: 6281960