Search Results (94)

While viral diseases of domestic cats (Felis catus) can threaten the recovery of the European wildcat (Felis s. silvestris), their epidemiology in wildcat populations remains poorly understood. Here, we analyzed 428 road-killed wildcats from Western and Central Germany for the presence of antibodies/antigens of six feline viruses. The presence of at least one viral antigen or antiviral antibody was detected in 53.3% of the animals. Antibodies against feline parvovirus (FPV) showed the highest seroprevalence (29.2%), while feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigens were detected in 22.2% of the animals. Antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) were detected in 10% or fewer of the wildcats. No antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were detected. FeLV antigens clustered spatially, with prevalence declining from southwest to northeast, consistent with the geographic expansion of the virus antigens. Seroprevalence of FPV and prevalence of FeLV increased with age, suggesting cumulative exposure, while juvenile males were particularly unlikely to be seropositive for FPV. Proximity to built-up areas did not predict seroprevalence for any virus. FeLV and FPV in particular warrant further investigation as potential threats to wildcat recovery in Germany and highlight the need for longitudinal health monitoring alongside existing conservation efforts. Full article

Background: There is limited information about treatment success and outcomes in retrovirus-positive cats diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Methods: A survey was distributed to caretakers of cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) that were treated with GS-441524 for presumptive effusive FIP based on survey responses. Results: Cats with FIV developed FIP at an older age and longer after retrovirus infection than cats with FeLV. The average starting dosage (7 mg/kg/d) was increased in 65% of cats, and treatment was extended in 35%. Three cats relapsed (18%). There was a 94% (16/17) twelve-week survival rate and 82% (14/17) one-year survival rate. Seven cats were alive at follow-up, a median of 1306 days (range 983–2069) after FIP diagnosis, but many cats succumbed to neoplasia. Conclusions: Treatment success for retrovirus-positive cats with presumptive FIP was similar to previously reported outcomes for FIP alone. This could support current evidence of successful antiviral therapy for similar populations, if noncurrent, unstandardized protocols and unlicensed product use are considered. Additional studies are needed to determine ideal protocols for rapid resolution of FIP, good long-term survival, and limited relapse in retrovirus-positive cats, and the impact of the FeLV proviral load. Full article

The Bagenheigqier medium-sized Pb-Zn deposit is located in central-southern segment of Great Xing’an Range, northeastern China, where its vein-type orebodies are hosted within the structural contact zone between the Lower Permian Dashi Formation and granite porphyry intrusions. Five mineralization stages are divided into skarn (I), oxide (II), quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite (III), quartz-polymetallic sulfide (IV), and quartz-calcite-pyrite (V). Three types of fluid inclusions (FIs) are identified in Bagenheigeqier Pb-Zn deposit, including daughter mineral-bearing three-phase (SL-type), vapor–liquid two-phase (VL-type), and vapor-rich two-phase (LV-type) FIs. All FI types occur in Stages I–III, with homogenization temperatures (Th) of 423–486, 389–441, 362–408 °C, and salinities of 1.1–49.2, 0.9–43.9 and 0.9–38.8 wt.% NaCl equiv, respectively. Stage IV hosts only VL- and LV-type FIs (Th: 277–319 °C; salinity: 2.1–8.7 wt.% NaCl equiv), whereas Stage V contains exclusively VL-type FIs with Th of 173–214 °C and salinity of 1.2–5.7 wt.% NaCl equiv. The H-O isotopic results of quartz in stage II–IV (δD = −103.5‰–−99.1‰, −115.7‰–−107.8‰ and −121.5‰–−117.2‰; δ¹⁸O_H2O = 4.4‰–7.1‰, 1.1‰–3.5‰ and −4.6‰–−3.5‰) indicate the ore-forming fluids are predominantly of magmatic origin with subordinate meteoric water mixing. Fluid boiling and the mixing of meteoric water may lead to the precipitation of metal. The in situ trace elements analyses indicate that sphalerites in main mineralization stage are enriched in Fe, Mn, Co and In and depleted in Ga and Ge. The calculation results suggest that the sphalerites crystallized under moderate temperature conditions (286–330 °C) and intermediate f_S2 (−10.5 to −9.2) conditions. The geological, fluid inclusion, isotopic and trace element evidences indicate that the Bagenheigeqier deposit is classified as a skarn-type deposit. Full article

With the rapid development of the steel industry, the accurate detection of alloy element contents is of great significance for the evaluation of material properties and quality control. This study aims to establish a rapid, stable, and highly accurate quantitative detection method based on handheld LIBS to achieve effective analysis of key elements such as Fe, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cu. To meet the demand of the steel industry for rapid, stable, and high-accuracy quantification of key alloy elements such as Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cu, this study was carried out on 20 types of standard steel spectral samples. Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) models were constructed, respectively. The SVR penalty factor C (0.1–10) and loss parameter ε (0.001–1), as well as the PLSR latent variable number Lv (1–20), were optimized using five-fold cross-validation repeated 100 times. Model performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), root-mean-square error (RMSE), and mean relative error (MRE). In the comparison of quantitative performance, excellent predictive ability for major elements such as Fe and Cr was achieved by both models; test-set R² values exceeded 0.92, meeting the detection requirements for high-content alloy elements. For low-content Ni, Cu, and Mn, PLSR gives R² values of 0.92, 0.93, and 0.89, while SVR yields 0.85, 0.49, and 0.36, showing clear limitations, especially for Cu and Mn. After introducing Multilayer Perceptron feature extraction, the R² of Ni, Cu, and Mn increases to 0.99, 0.99, and 0.97 for PLSR and to 0.99, 0.93, and 0.94 for SVR, with RMSE and MRE markedly reduced. In summary, the integration of LIBS with MLP feature extraction and PLSR offers both rapid processing capabilities and high precision, significantly improving the quantification of low-concentration elements, and is well-suited for real-time online monitoring in steel production, facilitating quality control and process optimization. Full article

This study reveals the effects of artificial space-like proton irradiation on three meteorite samples that are Northwest Africa (NWA) 4560 LL3.2 and NWA 5838 H6 chondrite meteorites, as well as the Dhofar (Dho) 007 eucrite. We used low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM) and Raman Spectroscopy to examine the structure and composition of olivine and pyroxene grains in the meteorites before and after the irradiation events. This article focuses on the strongest and most intense irradiation, which was performed by protons up to 12 keV with a fluence value of 10¹⁹ ions/cm² that lasted ~30 h. According to the Raman spectra, significant lattice disruption in all analyzed silicates occurred, and a more extensive amorphous, glassy layer developed under the strongest irradiation conditions. Relative to the second irradiation, peak 1 (820.0 cm⁻¹) shifts slightly negatively (–0.46 cm⁻¹) with a small FWHM increase (+0.88 cm⁻¹), while peak 2 (850.3 cm⁻¹) shifts positively in both parameters (+0.40 and +4.04 cm⁻¹) in NWA 4560 olivines. In NWA 5838 olivines, both olivine peaks (820.5 and 850.8 cm⁻¹) shift positively (+7.40 and +7.90 cm⁻¹) and broaden (+2.75 and +4.29 cm⁻¹). In Dho 007 pyroxenes, peak 1 (997.1 cm⁻¹) shifts positively (+3.01 cm⁻¹) with an FWHM decrease (−0.46 cm⁻¹), peak 2 (669.7 cm⁻¹) shifts slightly negatively (−0.75 cm⁻¹) while broadening strongly (+29.23 cm⁻¹), and peak 3 (327.7 cm⁻¹) shifts positively (+0.86 cm⁻¹) with reduced FWHM (−4.55 cm⁻¹). Three characteristic amorphous bands appear in all examined meteorite silicates, located at ~550–1000 cm⁻¹, ~1100–1700 cm⁻¹, and ~1700–1850 cm⁻¹. Olivines in NWA 4560 and NWA 5838 exhibited similar responses across all irradiation events. In contrast, Dho 007 pyroxenes showed variable compositional changes without a consistent or well-defined pattern in our SEM dataset. The Fo decrease in our experiments likely results from preferential Mg sputtering in the olivine lattice, leading to relative Fe enrichment, similar to but more pronounced than after the first irradiation. Pyroxenes exhibit a comparable response, with Fs and En increasing and Wo sharply decreasing, reflecting preferential Ca loss relative to Mg alongside Fe enrichment. Investigating these processes improves the interpretation of planetary remote sensing data and advances our understanding of planetary surface evolution, while also clarifying how surface materials respond to space environmental conditions. Full article

Advances in veterinary medicine have contributed to increased life expectancy in companion animals, leading to a higher incidence of chronic and neoplastic diseases in cats. Epidemiological studies correlating demographic and clinical factors with lymphoma in cats are needed, particularly in South America. Data from 662 cats diagnosed with lymphoma were collected from veterinary centers located in all five Brazilian geographical regions and the Federal District. This study represents one of the largest epidemiological assessments of feline lymphoma in Brazil and highlights the broad distribution of the disease across diverse regions and age groups. The predominance of mixed-breed animals and the frequent association with retroviral infections underscore the need for early diagnostic protocols and targeted health strategies to address this issue. These findings contribute to a better understanding of feline lymphoma in Brazil and may support future efforts in disease prevention, early detection, and therapeutic planning for this disease. Full article

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that globally affects both domestic and wild cats, leading to the development of leukemia, lymphoma, and immunosuppression. However, it is important to note that the daily antigen test may yield false negative results. In this study, we successfully developed the first colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) associated with neutral red (NR-LAMP) for the detection of FeLV. The NR-LAMP assay exhibited high sensitivity and efficiency compared to the routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reference method. To ensure specificity, a novel LAMP primer set was custom-designed based on the pol gene of multiple FeLV strains, which resulted in no cross-amplification with other feline viruses. Under the optimized isothermal amplification conditions at 61 °C for 40 min, the NR-LAMP assay achieved a detection limit of 10⁰ copies/µL. Using a blind clinical test involving 98 samples, the NR-LAMP assay demonstrated perfect agreement with the reference PCR method, providing a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 100%. This proposed NR-LAMP assay surpasses other related approaches in terms of sensitivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Consequently, the colorimetric NR-LAMP reaction serves as a robust and convenient diagnostic tool for the inspection of FeLV, offering an alternative molecular method for future clinical applications and commercial utilization. Full article

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal but now treatable disease in cats caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). This study prospectively investigated viral coinfections in 100 cats diagnosed with FIP and subsequently treated with oral GS-441524 (Bova UK) and their influence on outcome, focusing on viruses potentially associated with feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS). Cats were tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus (FHV), feline foamy virus (FFV), and feline gammaherpesvirus (FcaGHV1). Coinfections were identified at the following frequencies: FCV (27), FFV (22), FHV (6), FIV (4), FcaGHV1 (2), and FeLV (2, both progressive infections). FFV infection was significantly associated with FIV (p_F = 0.0021) and FHV (p_F = 0.0226) infection. FCGS was present in 25/97 cats with FCV infection being associated with FCGS (pF = 0.0032); no significant associa-tions were found for the other viruses and FCGS. The 42-day oral GS-441524 treatment’s success rate was 94% (five cats died, one relapsed). Coinfections did not significantly influence disease severity or treatment outcome, although the low number of cases for some pathogens warrants further investigation. However, advanced age was associated with treatment failure, potentially due to delayed diagnosis as FIP is considered to be less common in older individuals, or to age-related changes in immune function. In summary, viral coinfections, particularly with FCV, were common and should be considered in the clinical and hygienic management of cats with FIP. Full article

Feline lymphoma, a common neoplasm in cats, presents across diverse anatomical sites and is influenced by genetic, immune, environmental, and viral factors. This 15-year retrospective study analyzed feline lymphoma cases from the University of Zagreb’s Department of Veterinary Pathology, focusing on epidemiology, anatomical distribution, and immunophenotype. A bimodal age distribution was observed, with peaks at 2–3 and 10–12 years, and breed predispositions were noted in British and European Shorthairs after adjusting for referral frequency. Multicentric lymphoma was the most frequent type observed, followed by alimentary and mediastinal forms. Mediastinal lymphoma predominated in younger cats, whereas alimentary lymphoma was more common in older individuals. Male cats were overrepresented among renal lymphoma cases. Feline leukemia virus/feline immunodeficiency virus (FeLV/FIV) infection showed a strong correlation with mediastinal lymphoma. Overall, B-cell lymphomas were predominant; however, T-cell types were more frequently observed in European Shorthairs. In our study, mediastinal forms were uniformly T-cell, while alimentary and multicentric lymphomas were predominantly B-cell. Temporal trends showed surges in 2016–2017 and 2022–2023, and a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the complexity of feline lymphoma and underscore the need for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Full article

Isolation units in veterinary hospitals are essential for managing infectious diseases, but limited resources in staff, equipment and budget make timely triage difficult. In this scenario, data-driven models, if trained with high-quality data and presenting good accuracy, might be a rapid and low-cost first step before more costly diagnostics are deployed to unclear cases. In this study, we aimed at constructing simple triage models for two common feline infections using routine-collected data from 1211 cats admitted to a Biological Isolation and Containment Unit (BICU) in Portugal, of which 640 were eligible for analysis. Our study focused on infections caused by Feline Immunodeficiency and Leukemia viruses (FIV and FeLV) due to their potential to induce immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary diseases. Our model training was based on data from 134 FIV-seropositive cats, 126 FeLV-seropositive, and 504 confirmed non-cases (i.e., controls) of these infections diagnosed by rapid immunomigration assays and ELISA. Significant triage factors of FIV infections included older age, outdoor access, and concomitant disorders whereas, for FeLV, infections, they were mixed-breed status, concomitant conditions, and low hematocrit. The models showed areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.70 and 0.69 for FIV and FeLV infections, respectively, with sensitivities and specificities estimated above ≥65%. This performance, being far from sensitivities and specificities above 90%, motivates further research to find additional triage factors to improve model utility. Full article

Finite element (FE) modeling has emerged as a powerful computational approach in cardiovascular biomechanics, enabling detailed simulations of myocardial stress, strain, and hemodynamics, which are challenging to measure with conventional imaging techniques. This narrative review explores the progression of cardiac FE modeling from research-focused applications to its increasing integration into clinical practice. Specific attention is given to the mechanical effects of myocardial infarction, the limitations of conventional LV volume-reduction surgeries, and novel therapeutic approaches like passive myocardial reinforcement via hydrogel injections. Furthermore, the review highlights the critical role of patient-specific FE simulations in optimizing LV assist device parameters and guiding targeted device placements. Cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence-enhanced FE modeling, including surrogate models and precomputed simulation databases, are examined for their potential to facilitate real-time, personalized therapeutic decision-making. Collectively, these advancements position FE modeling as an essential tool in precision medicine for structural heart disease. Full article

In Thailand, domestic cats are frequently exposed to vectors that transmit a variety of pathogens. In this study, the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) and their association with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were investigated in 187 domestic cats from animal hospitals across five northeastern provinces. Twelve pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, were screened using PCR assays. FIV was identified in 2.67% of the cats, while FeLV exhibited a notably higher prevalence of 29.95%. Among the bacterial pathogens, Bartonella henselae was the most frequently detected (94.65%), followed by Rickettsia felis (34.22%). Protozoan infections such as Babesia canis (8.02%) and Cytauxzoon felis (3.21%) were less prevalent. Co-infections were common, with numerous cats hosting multiple pathogens. Correlation analysis revealed moderate associations between FIV and Babesia microti (r = 0.43), Babesia canis (r = 0.35), and Mycoplasma spp. (r = 0.33), indicating potential co-infection or predisposition. Although significant differences in the total white blood cell counts were not observed, leukopenia was more commonly found in FeLV/FIV-positive cats. These findings indicate that a high burden of infection and co-infection exists in the feline population, supporting the need for expanded pathogen screening and enhanced vector control strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: A number of different vaccines against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are available; however, there is continuous debate regarding the efficacy advantages of adjuvanted vaccines versus the potential safety advantages of non-adjuvanted vaccines. Methods: For this reason, we developed a non-adjuvanted vaccine based on a replicon RNA particle (RP) expressing the FeLV gp85 envelope protein, which possesses the safety of a non-adjuvanted vaccine while consistently providing high efficacy. Results: In two efficacy studies, a high-level of protection against virulent FeLV challenge was demonstrated with two doses given 3 weeks apart based on the prevention of FeLV p27 antigenemia. Furthermore, in both studies, we compared this novel vaccine against a non-adjuvanted, canarypox-vectored FeLV vaccine, demonstrating that none of the cats that received two doses of the RP-FeLV vaccine developed persistent antigenemia post-challenge. In comparison, of cats receiving the canarypox-vectored FeLV vaccine, three of seven (43%) became persistently antigenemic in one study, and three of ten (30%) became persistently antigenemic in the other study. In a field safety study using two commercial serials, safety of the RP-FeLV vaccine was demonstrated in over 800 cats receiving two doses of the vaccine. Conclusions: These data suggest that the RP-FeLV vaccine offers advantages over some current FeLV vaccines by combining the safety profile of a non-adjuvanted vaccine with the induction of a robust immune response demonstrated by some adjuvanted vaccines. Full article

Feline leishmaniasis (FeL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is increasingly reported in areas of endemic Mediterranean canine leishmaniasis (CanL), making it an emerging feline disease. This cross-sectional study investigated L. infantum seroprevalence and risk factors in 229 domestic cats from the Campania region of southern Italy, a CanL endemic area, between January 2023 and December 2024. Serum samples were tested for L. infantum antibodies (IFAT) and for FIV/FeLV. Seropositivity (IFAT titre ≥ 1:40) for FeL was detected in 12/229 (5.2%) of the cats tested. No statistically significant correlation was found between seropositivity for L. infantum and the variables considered. However, outdoor cats and FIV/FeLV-seropositive cats had higher prevalence rates: 10.6% and 7.4%, respectively. Of the 12 seropositive cats, 7 (58.3%) had an antibody titre of 1:40, 2 (16.6%) of 1:80 and 3 (25.0%) a titre of 1:160. Of the 12 cats positive for FeL, 2 (16.6%) were also positive for FIV. Our results confirm the exposure to L. infantum and the serological response in cats from southern Italy. The low prevalence could be due to owners using mosquito control products in the household that would also protect cats. Further investigation is essential to clarify risk factors and improve our understanding of the epidemiology of FeL in this endemic area. Full article

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are globally prevalent retroviral pathogens that pose significant health risks to domestic cats. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of two point-of-care—the immunochromatographic assay (ICA) and the RNase hybridization-assisted amplification (RHAM) test kit—against reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the current gold standard for FeLV and FIV detection. For FeLV detection, ICA demonstrated a sensitivity of 86.89%, specificity of 96.55%, accuracy of 90.00%, and precision of 98.15%, while for FIV detection, the assay showed a sensitivity of 75.86%, specificity of 88.52%, accuracy of 84.44%, and precision of 75.86%. In contrast, the RHAM test exhibited superior performance, with FeLV detection sensitivity of 93.44%, specificity of 98.28%, accuracy of 94.44%, and precision of 98.28%. For FIV detection, RHAM demonstrated a sensitivity of 75.86%, specificity of 100%, accuracy of 92.22%, and precision of 100%. Additionally, the RHAM assay significantly reduced detection time compared to RT-qPCR, enabling expedited clinical decision-making, alleviating laboratory workload, and lowering diagnostic costs. These benefits are particularly relevant in veterinary settings with limited access to PCR-based diagnostics, where the RHAM assay represents a rapid, reliable, and resource-efficient alternative for FeLV and FIV detection. Full article