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01-11-2018 | Brief Report

Serological survey of feline viral pathogens in free-living European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Luxembourg

Authors: Mike Heddergott, Sandra Steeb, Natalia Osten-Sacken, Peter Steinbach, Simone Schneider, Jacques P. Pir, Franz Müller, Lise-Marie Pigneur, Alain C. Frantz

Published in: Archives of Virology | Issue 11/2018

Abstract

European populations of free-living wildcats have been shown to be exposed to cat viruses. Luxembourg has a high degree of habitat fragmentation, and hybridisation rates between domestic cats and wildcats are high. We therefore assessed the seroprevalence of six viruses in 34 serum samples collected between 2001 and 2016 from wildcats in Luxembourg. The values for feline leukemia virus (FeLV; 52.9%) and feline coronavirus (FCoV; 47.1%) were amongst the highest reported for wildcats. We found evidence for the cumulative likelihood of exposure to FCoV affecting its seroprevalence. Routine monitoring of viral agents in this strictly protected species should be considered.

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Title: Serological survey of feline viral pathogens in free-living European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Luxembourg
Authors: Mike Heddergott
Sandra Steeb
Natalia Osten-Sacken
Peter Steinbach
Simone Schneider
Jacques P. Pir
Franz Müller
Lise-Marie Pigneur
Alain C. Frantz
Publication date: 01-11-2018
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Virology / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 0304-8608
Electronic ISSN: 1432-8798
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-018-3972-x

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Serological survey of feline viral pathogens in free-living European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Luxembourg

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