Molecular Characterization of Feline Leukemia Virus from Cats in Shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.
5 affiliations
- 1Independent Veterinary Researcher, Recife, Brazil.
- 2Postgraduate Program in Animal Bioscience, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Dom Manuel de Medeiros Street, n/a - Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil. [email protected].
- 3Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Prof. Moraes Rego avenue, 1235 - Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil.
- 4Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Dom Manuel de Medeiros Street, n/a - Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil.
- 5Tecsa Laboratories, do Contorno avenue, 6226 - Funcionários, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Abstract
This research aimed to conduct an epidemiological-molecular study of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in cats from shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (MRR), Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. Blood samples from 260 cats from 18 shelters located in 5 municipalities within the MRR were analyzed. DNA samples from peripheral blood were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect FeLV proviral DNA. PCR-positive samples were sequenced and analyzed using BLAST software for phylogenetic tree construction. The prevalence of infection in cats was 9.6% (25/260). Among the 18 sampled shelters, 33.3% (6/18) had cats positive for FeLV. It was observed that 60% (3/5) of the investigated municipalities had felines positive for FeLV infection. Among the positive cats, males accounted for 52% (13/25) and females for 48% (12/25). Of the 22 sequenced samples, 18 sequences were used as queries for an online BLAST search to build a dataset. 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. Based on these results, we recommend vaccinating any cat with outdoor access in the study region. Understanding the prevalence of FeLV in Pernambuco provides insights into the local situation and helps develop effective hygienic-sanitary programs in feline shelters in the MRR, contributing to increased awareness of responsible pet ownership and reducing FeLV transmission among community felines.
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BibTeX
@article{farias2026molecular,
title = {{Molecular Characterization of Feline Leukemia Virus from Cats in Shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.}},
author = {Cláudia Kathariny da Silva Farias and Phelipe Magalhães Duarte and Wilson Jose da Silva Junior and Caio Andrey Bezerra Januário and Rita de Cássia Carvalho Maia and Otávio Valério de Carvalho and José Wilton Pinheiro Junior},
journal = {Current microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s00284-026-05191-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909642},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Molecular Characterization of Feline Leukemia Virus from Cats in Shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.
AU - Cláudia Kathariny da Silva Farias
AU - Phelipe Magalhães Duarte
AU - Wilson Jose da Silva Junior
AU - Caio Andrey Bezerra Januário
AU - Rita de Cássia Carvalho Maia
AU - Otávio Valério de Carvalho
AU - José Wilton Pinheiro Junior
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Current microbiology
DO - 10.1007/s00284-026-05191-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909642
AB - This research aimed to conduct an epidemiological-molecular study of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in cats from shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (MRR), Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. Blood samples from 260 cats from 18 shelters located in 5 municipalities within the MRR were analyzed. DNA samples from peripheral blood were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect FeLV proviral DNA. PCR-positive samples were sequenced and analyzed using BLAST software for phylogenetic tree construction. The prevalence of infection in cats was 9.6% (25/260). Among the 18 sampled shelters, 33.3% (6/18) had cats positive for FeLV. It was observed that 60% (3/5) of the investigated municipalities had felines positive for FeLV infection. Among the positive cats, males accounted for 52% (13/25) and females for 48% (12/25). Of the 22 sequenced samples, 18 sequences were used as queries for an online BLAST search to build a dataset. 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. Based on these results, we recommend vaccinating any cat with outdoor access in the study region. Understanding the prevalence of FeLV in Pernambuco provides insights into the local situation and helps develop effective hygienic-sanitary programs in feline shelters in the MRR, contributing to increased awareness of responsible pet ownership and reducing FeLV transmission among community felines.
SN - 0343-8651
SN - 1432-0991
ER -