EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FELINE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS (FELV) AND STRUCTURE OF DOMESTIC CAT POPULATIONS

The spatial structure of host populations mal affect parasite transmis sion and effect. Our interest focused on feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a lethal retrovirus affecting both domestic cats (Felis catus) and wi ldcats (Felis silvestris). We assessed presence and epidemiology of Fe LV in a long-term study of 3 domestic cat populations in France. All 3 populations shared a common pattern based on matrilinear groups, but they differed in population size, cat density, connections among cat g roups (i.e., human shelters) and connections with adjacent feline popu lations. The prevalence of FeLV was different among populations (P < 0 .001). Other at-risk categories for FeLV infection included nonneutere d cats (P = 0.010), cats living with a single conspecific in the same house (P = 0.20), and cats allowed to roam freely (P = 0.048). The bes t model for the prediction of FeLV prevalence included effects of popu lation, reproductive status, and group size, but the effect of roaming habit was confounding. The virus did, not persist in 1 of the 3 popul ations, and we hypothesized that this extinction is linked to small po pulation size and isolation. These conclusions raise new perspectives For management of endangered populations of wildcats. Although wildcat populations have been declining in size, keeping small populations is olated from each other and from domestic cats could help prevent the s pread and persistence of FeLV infection.