The discovery of XMRV in respiratory secretions raises still more questions about possible transmission. Of course, until empirical and epidemiological studies are done, its all just conjecture. Most of the supposition Ive seen is based on the way HIV is transmitted. But HIV is a Lentivirus, while XMRV is a Gammaretrovirus. It makes sense to me that as long as were speculating, we might as well look at how another Gammaretrovirus is spread, not to mention how it acts in the body, so I looked up Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). I found a nice overview put out by the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/news/FeLV.htm
Here are some excerpts:
I might also mention that there is a vaccine against FeLV.
Theres also a largely unsourced Wikipedia article, which describes the symptoms of FeLV infection:
Loss of appetite, poor coat condition, infections of the skin, bladder and respiratory tract, oral disease, seizures, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), skin lesions, fatigue, fever, weight loss, stomatitis, gingivitis, litter box avoidance, pancytopenia, poor grooming, reoccurring bacterial and viral illnesses, anemia, diarrhea, jaundice.
Sounds familiar, doesnt it? Well, maybe except for litter box avoidance. Although, now that I think of it, I do try to avoid litter boxes.
So Dr Wessely, are you feeling lucky? Do you want to put your money where your mouth is and have a lick from my ice cream cone?
Maybe the CDC should come out with a recommendation that people diagnosed with CFS should refrain from licking their friends until further research can be conducted.
Seriously, one of the most interesting parts (to me) is that some cats who are infected get sick and others don't. Wish I knew what the difference is. Maybe the ones who get sick have a sickness ideation.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/news/FeLV.htm
Here are some excerpts:
FeLV is usually spread when an uninfected cat comes in contact with the saliva or urine of an infected cat-while they groom each other, for example, or when they share food bowls or litter boxes.
Viral replication in a newly infected cat usually occurs initially in the mouth or pharynx. Subsequently, newly formed virus particles travel to the cat's lymph nodes or bone marrow, where they infect and replicate within various cells, especially T-lymphocytes and other white blood cells. Particularly vulnerable are the T-lymphocytes known as CD4 cells, which play a key role in the animal's immune system.
If the immune response within the infected host is inadequate, this cycle continues as the virus circulates throughout the body, invades additional lymph nodes, and destroys more disease-fighting CD4 cells. Eventually, evidence of the animal's compromised immune system will start emerging as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that would normally be relatively harmless begin to cause illness.
If the immune response within the infected host is inadequate, this cycle continues as the virus circulates throughout the body, invades additional lymph nodes, and destroys more disease-fighting CD4 cells. Eventually, evidence of the animal's compromised immune system will start emerging as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that would normally be relatively harmless begin to cause illness.
Among the most frequently diagnosed FeLV-caused conditions are lymphoma (cancer or solid tumors of the lymphatic tissues); leukemia (cancer of various bone marrow and circulating white blood cells); and anemia (a deficiency of red blood cells). Immune deficiency resulting from FeLV infection can also diminish a cat's ability to ward off infection with countless bacteria, protozoa, fungi and other viruses. An FeLV-carrying cat may present with one or more of these diseases, says Dr. Fred Scott, but the underlying cause will be FeLV. It may take many months or years for these other diseases to become evident, although in younger cats it could happen within just a few months.
If your cat has tested positive for one of these viruses, says Dr. Scott, You don't have to consider it a death sentence. First of all, you'd do well to have the animal retested after about three months, since the original test may have yielded a false positive. Secondly, some FeLV-infected cats develop an effective immune response, which controls the viral infection and results in a transient viremia instead of a persistent viremia. In these cats, subsequent FeLV tests will show that the cat no longer has virus in its blood. Finally, while there is no complete cure for FeLV or FIV infection, newer treatments and supportive care can often result in several years of relatively good health.
Theres also a largely unsourced Wikipedia article, which describes the symptoms of FeLV infection:
Loss of appetite, poor coat condition, infections of the skin, bladder and respiratory tract, oral disease, seizures, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), skin lesions, fatigue, fever, weight loss, stomatitis, gingivitis, litter box avoidance, pancytopenia, poor grooming, reoccurring bacterial and viral illnesses, anemia, diarrhea, jaundice.
Sounds familiar, doesnt it? Well, maybe except for litter box avoidance. Although, now that I think of it, I do try to avoid litter boxes.
So Dr Wessely, are you feeling lucky? Do you want to put your money where your mouth is and have a lick from my ice cream cone?
Maybe the CDC should come out with a recommendation that people diagnosed with CFS should refrain from licking their friends until further research can be conducted.
Seriously, one of the most interesting parts (to me) is that some cats who are infected get sick and others don't. Wish I knew what the difference is. Maybe the ones who get sick have a sickness ideation.