Prevalence of feline leukemia virus infection in random source laboratory cats

Three years of quarantine data involving the prevalence of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) in laboratory cats (Felis catus) was evaluated. Testing was performed using a commercially available ELISA system. Annual prevalence of infection ranged from 5.4 to 10.7% of the 937 cats tested. Results obtained with the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system compared well with tests performed using an immunofluorescent antibody assay system (IFA). Seasonal periodicity was noted with higher infection rates among animals received in April. Holding period at the supplier and gender did not influence disease prevalence. The availability of a simple test system, the unacceptability of FeLV infected cats for research, the danger of transmission and a higher prevalence of infection than earlier reports indicated that supplier and user evaluation of research cats for FeLV would be prudent.