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Animal owners who experience the death of a beloved family pet or companion animal may experience feelings of grief and loss that are synonymous with the death of a human. This systematic review synthesized 19 qualitative papers from 17 studies that explored the psychosocial impact of bereavement and grieving the loss of a pet. The analysis revealed five themes: Their Relationship; Their Grief; Their Guilt; Their Supports; and Their Future. By looking beyond grief, health professionals can respond to bereaved pet owners the same way they would for other forms of human bereavement and provide the necessary support to transition bereavement.
Michelle Cleary; Sancia West; Deependra K. Thapa; Mark Westman; Kristina Vesk; Rachel Kornhaber. Grieving the loss of a pet: A qualitative systematic review. Death Studies 2021, 1 -12.
AMA StyleMichelle Cleary, Sancia West, Deependra K. Thapa, Mark Westman, Kristina Vesk, Rachel Kornhaber. Grieving the loss of a pet: A qualitative systematic review. Death Studies. 2021; ():1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichelle Cleary; Sancia West; Deependra K. Thapa; Mark Westman; Kristina Vesk; Rachel Kornhaber. 2021. "Grieving the loss of a pet: A qualitative systematic review." Death Studies , no. : 1-12.
Although the antibody response induced by primary vaccination with Fel-O-Vax® FIV (three doses, 2–4 weeks apart) is well described, the antibody response induced by annual vaccination with Fel-O-Vax® FIV (single dose every 12 months after primary vaccination) and how it compares to the primary antibody response has not been studied. Residual blood samples from a primary FIV vaccination study (n = 11), and blood samples from cats given an annual FIV vaccination (n = 10), were utilized. Samples from all 21 cats were tested with a commercially available PCR assay (FIV RealPCRTM), an anti-p24 microsphere immunoassay (MIA), an anti-FIV transmembrane (TM; gp40) peptide ELISA, and a range of commercially available point-of-care (PoC) FIV antibody kits. PCR testing confirmed all 21 cats to be FIV-uninfected for the duration of this study. Results from MIA and ELISA testing showed that both vaccination regimes induced significant antibody responses against p24 and gp40, and both anti-p24 and anti-gp40 antibodies were variably present 12 months after FIV vaccination. The magnitude of the antibody response against both p24 and gp40 was significantly higher in the primary FIV vaccination group than in the annual FIV vaccination group. The differences in prime versus recall post-vaccinal antibody levels correlated with FIV PoC kit performance. Two FIV PoC kits that detect antibodies against gp40, namely Witness® and Anigen Rapid®, showed 100% specificity in cats recently administered an annual FIV vaccination, demonstrating that they can be used to accurately distinguish vaccination and infection in annually vaccinated cats. A third FIV PoC kit, SNAP® Combo, had 0% specificity in annually FIV-vaccinated cats, and should not be used in any cat with a possible history of FIV vaccination. This study outlines the antibody response to inactivated Fel-O-Vax® FIV whole-virus vaccine, and demonstrates how best to diagnose FIV infection in jurisdictions where FIV vaccination is practiced.
Mark Westman; Dennis Yang; Jennifer Green; Jacqueline Norris; Richard Malik; Yasmin Parr; Mike McDonald; Margaret Hosie; Sue VandeWoude; Craig Miller. Antibody Responses in Cats Following Primary and Annual Vaccination against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) with an Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccine (Fel-O-Vax® FIV). Viruses 2021, 13, 470 .
AMA StyleMark Westman, Dennis Yang, Jennifer Green, Jacqueline Norris, Richard Malik, Yasmin Parr, Mike McDonald, Margaret Hosie, Sue VandeWoude, Craig Miller. Antibody Responses in Cats Following Primary and Annual Vaccination against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) with an Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccine (Fel-O-Vax® FIV). Viruses. 2021; 13 (3):470.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark Westman; Dennis Yang; Jennifer Green; Jacqueline Norris; Richard Malik; Yasmin Parr; Mike McDonald; Margaret Hosie; Sue VandeWoude; Craig Miller. 2021. "Antibody Responses in Cats Following Primary and Annual Vaccination against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) with an Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccine (Fel-O-Vax® FIV)." Viruses 13, no. 3: 470.
A field study undertaken in Australia compared the antibody responses induced in client-owned cats that had been vaccinated using two inactivated whole feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccines, the monovalent vaccine Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K and the polyvalent vaccine Fel-O-Vax® 5. Serum samples from 428 FeLV-uninfected cats (118 FeLV-vaccinated and 310 FeLV-unvaccinated) were tested for anti-FeLV neutralising antibodies (NAb) using a live virus neutralisation assay to identify 378 FeLV-unexposed (NAb-negative) and 50 FeLV-exposed (NAb-positive; abortive infections) cats, following by anti-surface unit (SU) FeLV-A and FeLV-B antibody ELISA testing. An additional 42 FeLV-infected cats (28 presumptively regressively infected, 14 presumptively progressively infected) were also tested for anti-SU antibodies. NAb-positive cats displayed significantly higher anti-SU antibody ELISA responses compared to NAb-negative cats (p < 0.001). FeLV-unexposed cats (NAb-negative) that had been vaccinated less than 18 months after a previous FeLV vaccination using the monovalent vaccine (Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K) displayed higher anti-SU antibody ELISA responses than a comparable group vaccinated with the polyvalent vaccine (Fel-O-Vax® 5) (p < 0.001 for both anti-FeLV-A and FeLV-B SU antibody responses). This difference in anti-SU antibody responses between cats vaccinated with the monovalent or polyvalent vaccine, however, was not observed in cats that had been naturally exposed to FeLV (NAb-positive) (p = 0.33). It was postulated that vaccination with Fel-O-Vax® 5 primed the humoral response prior to FeLV exposure, such that antibody production increased when the animal was challenged, while vaccination with Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K induced an immediate preparatory antibody response that did not quantitatively increase after FeLV exposure. These results raise questions about the comparable vaccine efficacy of the different FeLV vaccine formulations and correlates of protection.
Mark Westman; Jacqueline Norris; Richard Malik; Regina Hofmann-Lehmann; Yasmin Parr; Emma Armstrong; Mike McDonald; Evelyn Hall; Paul Sheehy; Margaret Hosie. Anti-SU Antibody Responses in Client-Owned Cats Following Vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus with Two Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccines (Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K and Fel-O-Vax® 5). Viruses 2021, 13, 240 .
AMA StyleMark Westman, Jacqueline Norris, Richard Malik, Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, Yasmin Parr, Emma Armstrong, Mike McDonald, Evelyn Hall, Paul Sheehy, Margaret Hosie. Anti-SU Antibody Responses in Client-Owned Cats Following Vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus with Two Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccines (Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K and Fel-O-Vax® 5). Viruses. 2021; 13 (2):240.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark Westman; Jacqueline Norris; Richard Malik; Regina Hofmann-Lehmann; Yasmin Parr; Emma Armstrong; Mike McDonald; Evelyn Hall; Paul Sheehy; Margaret Hosie. 2021. "Anti-SU Antibody Responses in Client-Owned Cats Following Vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus with Two Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccines (Fel-O-Vax® Lv-K and Fel-O-Vax® 5)." Viruses 13, no. 2: 240.
Bovine trichomonosis, caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus, is globally recognised as a cause of reproductive failure in cattle. Maintained in clinically normal bulls, T. foetus infection results in infertility and abortion in infected cows. In Australia’s Northern Territory (NT), logistical limitations associated with extensive livestock production inhibit wide-scale testing and diagnosis, allowing the parasite to persist undetected. In the present study, T. foetus was detected in 18/109 preputial cultures collected from bulls on a property in the NT with a history of low birth rates and reproductive failure using real-time PCR testing. Of the T. foetus-positive samples, 13/18 were genotyped using the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S rDNA unit. Selected samples were further characterised using the protein-coding genes of cysteine proteases (CP-1, 2, 4–9) and cytosolic malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH-1) to determine if the isolates were ‘bovineʼ, ‘felineʼ or ‘Southern Africaʼ genotypes. All samples were 100% identical to the T. foetus ‘bovine’ genotype across all markers. This is the first reported case of trichomonosis in Australian cattle since 1988 and is a reminder that T. foetus should be considered whenever reproductive failure occurs in extensive cattle systems.
Nichola Eliza Davies Calvani; Jan Šlapeta; Emily Onizawa; Kieran Eamens; Cheryl Jenkins; Mark Edward Westman. Not gone but forgotten: Tritrichomonas foetus in extensively-managed bulls from Australia’s Northern Territory. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases 2021, 1, 100012 .
AMA StyleNichola Eliza Davies Calvani, Jan Šlapeta, Emily Onizawa, Kieran Eamens, Cheryl Jenkins, Mark Edward Westman. Not gone but forgotten: Tritrichomonas foetus in extensively-managed bulls from Australia’s Northern Territory. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases. 2021; 1 ():100012.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNichola Eliza Davies Calvani; Jan Šlapeta; Emily Onizawa; Kieran Eamens; Cheryl Jenkins; Mark Edward Westman. 2021. "Not gone but forgotten: Tritrichomonas foetus in extensively-managed bulls from Australia’s Northern Territory." Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases 1, no. : 100012.
A prolonged length of stay (LOS) in a rehoming shelter can be detrimental to cat behaviour, health and welfare. Research shows LOS is impacted by animal signalment, behaviour and personality, whether or not previously owned or a stray, and considerations such as cage placement, cage design and the provision of enrichment. A retrospective study was undertaken at a charity organisation that rehomes surrendered and stray cats from three UK shelters. Records from 2011 to 2015, relating to 4460 rehomed cats aged between 1.0 year and 20.1 years old, were analysed to investigate factors that might affect LOS. Univariate and multivariate analysis determined the effects of name, adoption description (first person vs. third person), age and sex on LOS. The final multivariate model demonstrated that age, sex and adoption description, but not name, had a significant effect on LOS. Younger cats, male cats and cats with adoption profiles written in the third person had a significantly shorter mean LOS. Survival curves conducted using a log-rank test and time-to-event analysis, using the dates of relinquishment and rehoming, revealed that cats with a third person description had a shorter LOS. Shelters should consider writing adoption descriptions in the third person to minimise LOS.
Chloe Rix; Mark Westman; Louise Allum; Evelyn Hall; Jessica Pockett; Camilla Pegram; Ruth Serlin. The Effect of Name and Narrative Voice in Online Adoption Profiles on the Length of Stay of Sheltered Cats in the UK. Animals 2020, 11, 62 .
AMA StyleChloe Rix, Mark Westman, Louise Allum, Evelyn Hall, Jessica Pockett, Camilla Pegram, Ruth Serlin. The Effect of Name and Narrative Voice in Online Adoption Profiles on the Length of Stay of Sheltered Cats in the UK. Animals. 2020; 11 (1):62.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChloe Rix; Mark Westman; Louise Allum; Evelyn Hall; Jessica Pockett; Camilla Pegram; Ruth Serlin. 2020. "The Effect of Name and Narrative Voice in Online Adoption Profiles on the Length of Stay of Sheltered Cats in the UK." Animals 11, no. 1: 62.
Pet ownership provides a unique relationship that is beneficial to many aspects of the pet owner’s life, including mental health and companionship. Mental health and social isolation are negatively impacted by homelessness, increasing the importance of the owner-pet bond during this time. However, this relationship is complicated by the need for pet owners to urgently find accommodation for themselves while still caring for their pets. This paper explores two firsthand narratives of the relationship between a person and their pets during a period of homelessness and subsequent search for accommodation. Both narratives highlight important aspects of the emotional bond between owner and pet: the concept of choosing pet over place; improved mental health and changed behaviours; and stressors or negative emotions of parental concern, separation anxiety and grief. These narratives emphasise the importance of supporting, expanding and creating new pet-friendly crisis and permanent accommodation options for pet owners experiencing homelessness.
Michelle Cleary; Sancia West; Denis Visentin; Monique Phipps; Mark Westman; Kristina Vesk; Rachel Kornhaber. The Unbreakable Bond: The Mental Health Benefits and Challenges of Pet Ownership for People Experiencing Homelessness. Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2020, 42, 741 -746.
AMA StyleMichelle Cleary, Sancia West, Denis Visentin, Monique Phipps, Mark Westman, Kristina Vesk, Rachel Kornhaber. The Unbreakable Bond: The Mental Health Benefits and Challenges of Pet Ownership for People Experiencing Homelessness. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. 2020; 42 (8):741-746.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichelle Cleary; Sancia West; Denis Visentin; Monique Phipps; Mark Westman; Kristina Vesk; Rachel Kornhaber. 2020. "The Unbreakable Bond: The Mental Health Benefits and Challenges of Pet Ownership for People Experiencing Homelessness." Issues in Mental Health Nursing 42, no. 8: 741-746.
Background Canine heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, has global veterinary importance. In Australia, the prevalence of canine heartworm infection decreased markedly following the introduction of over-the-counter macrocyclic lactones. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of canine heartworm infection in at-risk populations of dogs in eastern Australia and analyse published prevalence data from Australia. Methods In total, 566 dogs from eastern Australia were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen. Four cohorts were studied: pig-hunting dogs from Queensland (Cohort 1, n = 104), dogs from remote New South Wales (NSW) (Cohort 2, n = 332), urban pets from rural NSW (Cohort 3, n = 45) and ex-racing Greyhounds from Sydney, NSW (Cohort 4, n = 85). Serum samples were screened for D. immitis antigen using a reference laboratory microwell-based assay (DiroChek®) or a point-of-care immunochromatography test kit (Anigen Rapid®). Risk factors associated with the odds of D. immitis antigen seropositivity were identified using binary logistic regression models. Seropositive blood samples were tested for the presence and quantity of D. immitis DNA using a species specific real-time (q)PCR assay. A metanalysis of the Australian canine heartworm literature was conducted. Results The prevalence of dirofilariasis in pig-hunting dogs from Queensland (Cohort 1) was 12.5% (95% CI: 6.5–18.9%), with a subpopulation of dogs from Central Queensland having a prevalence of 21% (95% CI: 12.3–33.4%). Age was significantly associated with D. immitis antigen seropositivity (increased risk with increased age). The odds of being > 5 years versus ≤ 5 years was 3.7-times (95% CI: 1.1–12.5) greater in antigen positive versus antigen negative dogs. No D. immitis antigen positive dogs were detected in dogs from NSW (Cohorts 2–4). The Australian canine heartworm disease literature includes 98 peer-reviewed publications (1901–2019) with 30 studies reporting on D. immitis prevalence in dogs. Throughout the publication peak period (1980s), the primary antemortem diagnostic test was detection of microfilariae. Conclusions Canine heartworm infection in dogs used for pig hunting is a previously unexplored topic in Australia. Pig-hunting dogs are infected with canine heartworm in Queensland, Australia, placing pet dogs and cats at increased risk of infection.
Bronwyn Orr; Gemma Ma; Wei Ling Koh; Richard Malik; Jacqui M. Norris; Mark E. Westman; Denise Wigney; Graeme Brown; Michael P. Ward; Jan Šlapeta. Pig-hunting dogs are an at-risk population for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in eastern Australia. Parasites & Vectors 2020, 13, 1 -11.
AMA StyleBronwyn Orr, Gemma Ma, Wei Ling Koh, Richard Malik, Jacqui M. Norris, Mark E. Westman, Denise Wigney, Graeme Brown, Michael P. Ward, Jan Šlapeta. Pig-hunting dogs are an at-risk population for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in eastern Australia. Parasites & Vectors. 2020; 13 (1):1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBronwyn Orr; Gemma Ma; Wei Ling Koh; Richard Malik; Jacqui M. Norris; Mark E. Westman; Denise Wigney; Graeme Brown; Michael P. Ward; Jan Šlapeta. 2020. "Pig-hunting dogs are an at-risk population for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in eastern Australia." Parasites & Vectors 13, no. 1: 1-11.
Hunting feral pigs using dogs is a popular recreational activity in Australia. Dogs are used to flush, chase, bail, and hold feral pigs, and their use for these activities is legal in some states and territories and illegal in others. However, there is little knowledge about the health and welfare of dogs owned specifically for the purpose of pig hunting. We conducted a review of the literature on working dogs in Australia and overseas to determine the likely welfare impacts confronting pig-hunting dogs. We identified numerous challenges facing pig-hunting dogs throughout their lives. Risks to welfare include overbreeding, wastage due to behavioural incompatibilities, the use of aversive training techniques including electronic shock collars, solitary kenneling and tethering, high exposure to infectious diseases including zoonotic diseases, inadequate vaccination and anthelmintic prophlyaxis, high incidence of traumatic and other injuries during hunts, climatic exposure during transportation, mortality during hunts, and a suboptimal quality of life after retirement. There are also significant welfare concerns for the wild pigs hunted in this manner. We conclude that research needs to be conducted in order to determine the current health and welfare of pig-hunting dogs, specifically in Australia. The humaneness of this method of pest control urgently requires further assessment.
Bronwyn Orr; Richard Malik; Jacqui Norris; Mark Westman. The Welfare of Pig-Hunting Dogs in Australia. Animals 2019, 9, 853 .
AMA StyleBronwyn Orr, Richard Malik, Jacqui Norris, Mark Westman. The Welfare of Pig-Hunting Dogs in Australia. Animals. 2019; 9 (10):853.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBronwyn Orr; Richard Malik; Jacqui Norris; Mark Westman. 2019. "The Welfare of Pig-Hunting Dogs in Australia." Animals 9, no. 10: 853.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) are common viral infections of domestic cats in Australia. A study was performed to investigate the possible effect of area-based socioeconomic factors on the occurrence of FIV, FCV, and FHV-1 infection in Australian client-owned cats. A total of 1044 cases, reported to a voluntary Australian online disease surveillance system between January 2010 and July 2017, were analysed with respect to their postcode-related socioeconomic factors using the Socio-Economic Indexes For Areas (SEIFA). SEIFA consists of four different indexes which describe different aspects of socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage. Signalment details including age, sex, neuter status, and breed were also considered. A significant correlation was observed between areas of lower socioeconomic status and a higher number of reported cases of FIV infection for all four SEIFA indexes (p ≤ 0.0002). Postcodes with SEIFA indexes below the Australian median ("disadvantaged" areas) were 1.6-2.3 times more likely to have reported cases of FIV infection than postcodes with SEIFA indexes above the median ("advantaged" areas). In contrast, no correlation was observed between the number of reported cases of FCV or FHV-1 infection and any of the four SEIFA indexes (p > 0.05). When signalment data were analysed for the three infections, FIV-infected cats were more likely to be older (p < 0.00001), male (p < 0.0001), neutered (p = 0.03), and non-pedigree (p < 0.0001) compared to FCV and FHV-1 infected cats. Results from this study suggest that area-based disease control strategies, particularly in areas of social disadvantage, might be effective in reducing the prevalence of FIV infection in pet cats in Australia.
Vivian Tran; Mark Kelman; Michael Ward; Mark Westman; Tran; Ward. Risk of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Infection in Pet Cats in Australia is Higher in Areas of Lower Socioeconomic Status. Animals 2019, 9, 592 .
AMA StyleVivian Tran, Mark Kelman, Michael Ward, Mark Westman, Tran, Ward. Risk of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Infection in Pet Cats in Australia is Higher in Areas of Lower Socioeconomic Status. Animals. 2019; 9 (9):592.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVivian Tran; Mark Kelman; Michael Ward; Mark Westman; Tran; Ward. 2019. "Risk of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Infection in Pet Cats in Australia is Higher in Areas of Lower Socioeconomic Status." Animals 9, no. 9: 592.
A field study was undertaken to (i) measure the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) exposure and FeLV infection in a cross-section of healthy Australian pet cats; and (ii) investigate the outcomes following natural FeLV exposure in two Australian rescue facilities. Group 1 (n = 440) consisted of healthy client-owned cats with outdoor access, predominantly from eastern Australia. Groups 2 (n = 38) and 3 (n = 51) consisted of a mixture of healthy and sick cats, group-housed in two separate rescue facilities in Sydney, Australia, tested following identification of index cases of FeLV infection in cats sourced from these facilities. Diagnostic testing for FeLV exposure/infection included p27 antigen testing using three different point-of-care FeLV kits and a laboratory-based ELISA, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing to detect FeLV proviral DNA in leukocytes, real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) testing to detect FeLV RNA in plasma, and neutralising antibody (NAb) testing. Cats were classified as FeLV-uninfected (FeLV-unexposed and presumptively FeLV-abortive infections) or FeLV-infected (presumptively regressive and presumptively progressive infections). In Group 1, 370 FeLV-unexposed cats (370/440, 84%), 47 abortive infections (47/440, 11%), nine regressive infections (9/440, 2%), and two progressive infections (2/440, 0.5%) were identified, and 12 FeLV-uninfected cats (12/440, 3%) were unclassifiable as FeLV-unexposed or abortive infections due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. In Groups 2 and 3, 31 FeLV-unexposed cats (31/89, 35%), eight abortive infections (8/89, 9%), 22 regressive infections (22/89; 25%), and 19 progressive infections (19/89; 21%) were discovered, and nine FeLV-uninfected cats (9/89; 10%) were unclassifiable due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. One of the presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 was likely a focal FeLV infection. Two other presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 may have been classified as regressive infections with repeated testing, highlighting the difficulties associated with FeLV diagnosis when sampling cats at a single time point, even with results from a panel of FeLV tests. These results serve as a reminder to Australian veterinarians that the threat of FeLV to the general pet cat population remains high, thus vigilant FeLV testing, separate housing for FeLV-infected cats, and FeLV vaccination of at-risk cats is important, particularly in group-housed cats in shelters and rescue facilities, where outbreaks of FeLV infection can occur.
Mark Westman; Jacqueline Norris; Richard Malik; Regina Hofmann-Lehmann; Andrea Harvey; Alicia McLuckie; Martine Perkins; Donna Schofield; Alan Marcus; Mike McDonald; Michael Ward; Evelyn Hall; Paul Sheehy; Margaret Hosie. The Diagnosis of Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) Infection in Owned and Group-Housed Rescue Cats in Australia. Viruses 2019, 11, 503 .
AMA StyleMark Westman, Jacqueline Norris, Richard Malik, Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, Andrea Harvey, Alicia McLuckie, Martine Perkins, Donna Schofield, Alan Marcus, Mike McDonald, Michael Ward, Evelyn Hall, Paul Sheehy, Margaret Hosie. The Diagnosis of Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) Infection in Owned and Group-Housed Rescue Cats in Australia. Viruses. 2019; 11 (6):503.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark Westman; Jacqueline Norris; Richard Malik; Regina Hofmann-Lehmann; Andrea Harvey; Alicia McLuckie; Martine Perkins; Donna Schofield; Alan Marcus; Mike McDonald; Michael Ward; Evelyn Hall; Paul Sheehy; Margaret Hosie. 2019. "The Diagnosis of Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) Infection in Owned and Group-Housed Rescue Cats in Australia." Viruses 11, no. 6: 503.
With the commercial release in Australia in 2004 of a vaccine against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV; Fel‐O‐Vax FIV®), the landscape for FIV diagnostics shifted substantially. Point‐of‐care (PoC) antibody detection kits, which had been the mainstay for diagnosing FIV infection since the early 1990s, were no longer considered accurate to use in FIV‐vaccinated cats, because of the production of vaccine‐induced antibodies that were considered indistinguishable from those produced in natural FIV infections. Consequently, attention shifted to alternative diagnostic methods such as nucleic acid detection. However, over the past 5 years we have published a series of studies emphasising that FIV PoC test kits vary in their methodology, resulting in differing accuracy in FIV‐vaccinated cats. Importantly, we demonstrated that two commercially available FIV antibody test kits (Witness™ and Anigen Rapid™) were able to accurately distinguish between FIV‐vaccinated and FIV‐infected cats, concluding that testing with either kit offers an alternative to PCR testing. This review summarises pertinent findings from our work published in a variety of peer‐reviewed research journals to inform veterinarians (particularly veterinarians in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, where the FIV vaccine is currently commercially available) about how the approach to the diagnosis of FIV infection has shifted. Included in this review is our work investigating the performance of three commercially available FIV PoC test kits in FIV‐vaccinated cats and our recommendations for the diagnosis of FIV infection; the effect of primary FIV vaccination (three FIV vaccines, 4 weeks apart) on PoC test kit performance; our recommendations regarding annual testing of FIV‐vaccinated cats to detect ‘vaccine breakthroughs’; and the potential off‐label use of saliva for the diagnosis of FIV infection using some FIV PoC test kits. We also investigated the accuracy of the same three brands of test kits for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) diagnosis, using both blood and saliva as diagnostic specimens. Based on these results, we discuss our recommendations for confirmatory testing when veterinarians are presented with a positive FeLV PoC test kit result. Finally, we conclude with our results from the largest and most recent FIV and FeLV seroprevalence study conducted in Australia to date.
Me Westman; R Malik; Jm Norris. Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection: an update for clinicians. Australian Veterinary Journal 2019, 97, 47 -55.
AMA StyleMe Westman, R Malik, Jm Norris. Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection: an update for clinicians. Australian Veterinary Journal. 2019; 97 (3):47-55.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMe Westman; R Malik; Jm Norris. 2019. "Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection: an update for clinicians." Australian Veterinary Journal 97, no. 3: 47-55.
Due to resource limitations, animal shelters in Australia historically have focused on rehoming animals considered ‘highly adoptable’. Increasingly, animal shelters in Australia are rehoming animals with pre-existing medical and/or behavioural issues. These animals are often rehomed with an ‘indemnity waiver’ to transfer the responsibility of ongoing financial costs associated with these conditions from the shelter to the new owner. However, it is unknown what effect these indemnity waivers have on the length of stay (LOS) of animals prior to adoption. The current study used data collected from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Weston shelter located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia in 2017 to investigate the effect of indemnity waivers on the LOS of cats. A restricted maximum likelihood model (REML) was used to determine the effect of breed, age, coat colour, presence of a waiver, waiver type (categorised into seven groups) and waiver number (no waiver, single waiver or multiple waivers) on LOS. In the final multivariate model, age, breed and waiver number were found to influence LOS. Young cats, purebred cats and cats adopted without a waiver were adopted fastest. This study is the first to report the effect of indemnity waivers on the adoptability of cats from shelters.
Jessica Pockett; Bronwyn Orr; Evelyn Hall; Wye Li Chong; Mark Westman. Investigating the Impact of Indemnity Waivers on the Length of Stay of Cats at an Australian Shelter. Animals 2019, 9, 50 .
AMA StyleJessica Pockett, Bronwyn Orr, Evelyn Hall, Wye Li Chong, Mark Westman. Investigating the Impact of Indemnity Waivers on the Length of Stay of Cats at an Australian Shelter. Animals. 2019; 9 (2):50.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJessica Pockett; Bronwyn Orr; Evelyn Hall; Wye Li Chong; Mark Westman. 2019. "Investigating the Impact of Indemnity Waivers on the Length of Stay of Cats at an Australian Shelter." Animals 9, no. 2: 50.
Gammaherpesviruses are major co-pathogens of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, making the interactions between feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 (FcaGHV1) pertinent to both human and veterinary medical research. FIV-infected cats are at increased risk of FcaGHV1 DNAemia and consistently harbor higher FcaGHV1 loads than FIV-uninfected cats. Whether immune deficiencies unrelated to FIV are associated with similar risks is unknown. Using whole blood FcaGHV1 qPCR, we found no difference in the frequency of DNAemia or DNA load in therapeutically immunosuppressed (P1, n = 18) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-infected (P2, n = 57) patients compared with age- and sex-matched controls (C1, n = 58; C2, n = 57). In contrast, FIV/FeLV-co-infected cats (P3, n = 5) were at increased risk of FcaGHV1 DNAemia compared to retrovirus uninfected controls (C3, n = 39; p = 0.0068), and had a higher median FcaGHV1 DNA load, although the latter was not significant. FIV/FeLV-co-infected cats (P3) had a similar frequency of FcaGHV1 DNAemia reported compared to FIV-infected controls (C4). In conclusion, we found no evidence that cats with therapeutic immunosuppression or FeLV infection were at greater risk of FcaGHV1 DNAemia or had higher FcaGHV1 DNA load in whole blood. The risk of DNAemia in FIV/FeLV-co-infected cats was similar to that documented previously in cats infected with FIV alone.
Alicia J. McLuckie; Vanessa R. Barrs; Bethany Wilson; Mark E. Westman; Julia A. Beatty. Felis Catus Gammaherpesvirus 1 DNAemia in Whole Blood from Therapeutically Immunosuppressed or Retrovirus-Infected Cats. Veterinary Sciences 2017, 4, 16 .
AMA StyleAlicia J. McLuckie, Vanessa R. Barrs, Bethany Wilson, Mark E. Westman, Julia A. Beatty. Felis Catus Gammaherpesvirus 1 DNAemia in Whole Blood from Therapeutically Immunosuppressed or Retrovirus-Infected Cats. Veterinary Sciences. 2017; 4 (4):16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlicia J. McLuckie; Vanessa R. Barrs; Bethany Wilson; Mark E. Westman; Julia A. Beatty. 2017. "Felis Catus Gammaherpesvirus 1 DNAemia in Whole Blood from Therapeutically Immunosuppressed or Retrovirus-Infected Cats." Veterinary Sciences 4, no. 4: 16.
Lyme borreliosis is a common tick-borne disease of the northern hemisphere that is caused by bacterial spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (Bbsl) complex. To date, there has been no convincing evidence for locally-acquired Lyme borreliosis on the Australian continent and there is currently a national debate concerning the nature and distributions of zoonotic tick-transmitted infectious disease in Australia. In studies conducted in Europe and the United States, dogs have been used as sentinels for tick-associated illness in people since they readily contact ticks that may harbour zoonotic pathogens. Applying this principle, we used a combination of serological assays to test dogs living in tick ‘hot spots’ and exposed to the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, for evidence of exposure to B. burgdorferi (s.l.) antigens and other vector-borne pathogens. Altogether, 555 dogs from four demographic groups were recruited into this study. One dog had evidence of exposure to Anaplasma spp. but no other dog was positive in screening tests. A total of 122 dogs (22.0%) had a kinetic ELISA (KELA) unit value > 100, and one dog with a high titre (399.9 KELA units) had been vaccinated against B. burgdorferi (sensu stricto) before travelling to Australia. Older dogs and those with a history of tick paralysis were significantly more likely to have a KELA unit value > 100. Line immunoassay analysis revealed moderate-to-weak (equivocal) bands in 27 (4.9%) dogs. Except for a single dog presumed to have been exposed to Anaplasma platys, infection with Anaplasma spp. B. burgdorferi (s.l.), Ehrlichia spp., and Dirofilaria immitis, was not detected in the cohort of Australian dogs evaluated in this study. These results provide further evidence that Lyme borreliosis does not exist in Australia but that cross-reacting antibodies (false positive results) are common and may be caused by the transmission of other tick-associated organisms.
Peter J. Irwin; Ian D. Robertson; Mark E. Westman; Martine Perkins; Reinhard K. Straubinger. Searching for Lyme borreliosis in Australia: results of a canine sentinel study. Parasites & Vectors 2017, 10, 1 -9.
AMA StylePeter J. Irwin, Ian D. Robertson, Mark E. Westman, Martine Perkins, Reinhard K. Straubinger. Searching for Lyme borreliosis in Australia: results of a canine sentinel study. Parasites & Vectors. 2017; 10 (1):1-9.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter J. Irwin; Ian D. Robertson; Mark E. Westman; Martine Perkins; Reinhard K. Straubinger. 2017. "Searching for Lyme borreliosis in Australia: results of a canine sentinel study." Parasites & Vectors 10, no. 1: 1-9.
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) can be a challenging infection to diagnose due to a complex feline host-pathogen relationship and occasionally unreliable test results. This study compared the accuracy of three point-of-care (PoC) FeLV p27 antigen test kits commonly used in Australia and available commercially worldwide (SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo, Witness FeLV/FIV and Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV), using detection of FeLV provirus by an in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay as the diagnostic gold standard. Blood (n=563) and saliva (n=419) specimens were collected from a population of cats determined to include 491 FeLV-uninfected and 72 FeLV-infected individuals (45 progressive infections [p27 and qPCR positive], 27 regressive infections [p27 negative, qPCR positive]). Sensitivity and specificity using whole blood was 63% and 94% for SNAP Combo, 57% and 98% for Witness, and 57% and 98% for Anigen Rapid, respectively. SNAP Combo had a significantly lower specificity using blood compared to the other two kits (P=0.004 compared to Witness, P=0.007 compared to Anigen Rapid). False-positive test results occurred with all three kits using blood, and although using any two kits in parallel increased specificity, no combination of kits completely eliminated the occurrence of false-positive results. We therefore recommend FeLV proviral PCR testing for any cat that tests positive with a PoC FeLV antigen kit, as well as for any cat that has been potentially exposed to FeLV but tests negative with a FeLV antigen kit, before final assignment of FeLV status can be made with confidence. For saliva testing, sensitivity and specificity was 54% and 100%, respectively, for all three test kits. The reduced sensitivity of saliva testing compared to blood testing, although not statistically significant, suggests saliva testing with the current generation of PoC FeLV antigen kits is unsuitable for screening large populations of cats, such as in shelters.
Mark E. Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Paul A. Sheehy; Jacqueline M. Norris. Comparison of three feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) point-of-care antigen test kits using blood and saliva. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2017, 50, 88 -96.
AMA StyleMark E. Westman, Richard Malik, Evelyn Hall, Paul A. Sheehy, Jacqueline M. Norris. Comparison of three feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) point-of-care antigen test kits using blood and saliva. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2017; 50 ():88-96.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark E. Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Paul A. Sheehy; Jacqueline M. Norris. 2017. "Comparison of three feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) point-of-care antigen test kits using blood and saliva." Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 50, no. : 88-96.
Objectives Recently, two point-of-care (PoC) feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody test kits (Witness and Anigen Rapid) were reported as being able to differentiate FIV-vaccinated from FIV-infected cats at a single time point, irrespective of the gap between testing and last vaccination (0–7 years). The aim of the current study was to investigate systematically anti-FIV antibody production over time in response to the recommended primary FIV vaccination series. Methods First, residual plasma from the original study was tested using a laboratory-based ELISA to determine whether negative results with PoC testing were due to reduced as opposed to absent antibodies to gp40. Second, a prospective study was performed using immunologically naive client-owned kittens and cats given a primary FIV vaccination series using a commercially available inactivated whole cell/inactivated whole virus vaccine (Fel-O-Vax FIV, three subcutaneous injections at 4 week intervals) and tested systematically (up to 11 times) over 6 months, using four commercially available PoC FIV antibody kits (SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo [detects antibodies to p15/p24], Witness FeLV/FIV [gp40], Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV [p24/gp40] and VetScan FeLV/FIV Rapid [p24]). Results The laboratory-based ELISA showed cats from the original study vaccinated within the previous 0–15 months had detectable levels of antibodies to gp40, despite testing negative with two kits that use gp40 as a capture antigen (Witness and Anigen Rapid kits). The prospective study showed that antibody testing with SNAP Combo and VetScan Rapid was positive in all cats 2 weeks after the second primary FIV vaccination, and remained positive for the duration of the study (12/12 and 10/12 cats positive, respectively). Antibody testing with Witness and Anigen Rapid was also positive in a high proportion of cats 2 weeks after the second primary FIV vaccination (8/12 and 7/12, respectively), but antibody levels declined below the level of detection in most cats (10/12) by 1 month after the third (final) primary FIV vaccination. All cats tested negative using Witness and Anigen Rapid 6 months after the third primary FIV vaccination. Conclusions and relevance This study has shown that a primary course of FIV vaccination does not interfere with FIV antibody testing in cats using Witness and Anigen Rapid, provided primary vaccination has not occurred within the previous 6 months. Consequently, Witness and Anigen Rapid antibody test kits can be used reliably to determine FIV infection status at the time of annual booster FIV vaccination to help detect ‘vaccine breakthroughs’ and in cats that have not received a primary course of FIV vaccination within the preceding 6 months. The duration of antibody response following annual booster FIV vaccination and the resulting effect on antibody testing using PoC kits needs to be determined by further research. The mechanism(s) for the variation in FIV antibody test kit performance remains unclear.
Mark E Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Matthew Harris; Margaret J Hosie; Jacqueline Norris. Duration of antibody response following vaccination against feline immunodeficiency virus. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2016, 19, 1055 -1064.
AMA StyleMark E Westman, Richard Malik, Evelyn Hall, Matthew Harris, Margaret J Hosie, Jacqueline Norris. Duration of antibody response following vaccination against feline immunodeficiency virus. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2016; 19 (10):1055-1064.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark E Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Matthew Harris; Margaret J Hosie; Jacqueline Norris. 2016. "Duration of antibody response following vaccination against feline immunodeficiency virus." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 19, no. 10: 1055-1064.
We recently showed that two immunochromatography point-of-care FIV antibody test kits (Witness FeLV/FIV and Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV) were able to correctly assign FIV infection status, irrespective of FIV vaccination history, using whole blood as the diagnostic specimen. A third FIV antibody test kit, SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo (an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), was unable to differentiate antibodies produced in response to FIV vaccination from those incited by FIV infection. The aim of this study was to determine if saliva is a suitable diagnostic specimen using the same well characterized feline cohort. FIV infection status of these cats had been determined previously using a combination of serology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and virus isolation. This final assignment was then compared to results obtained using saliva as the diagnostic specimen utilizing the same three point-of-care FIV antibody test kits and commercially available PCR assay (FIV RealPCR). In a population of cats where one third (117/356; 33%) were FIV-vaccinated, both immunochromatography test kits accurately diagnosed FIV infection using saliva via a centrifugation method, irrespective of FIV vaccination history. For FIV diagnosis using saliva, the specificity of Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV and Witness FeLV/FIV was 100%, while the sensitivity of these kits was 96% and 92% respectively. SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo respectively. SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo had a specificity of 98% and sensitivity of 44%, while FIV RealPCR testing had a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 72% using saliva. A revised direct method of saliva testing was trialed on a subset of FIV-infected cats (n=14), resulting in 14, 7 and 0 FIV positive results using Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV, Witness FeLV/FIV and SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo, respectively. These results demonstrate that saliva can be used to diagnose FIV infection, irrespective of FIV vaccination history, using either a centrifugation method (Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV and Witness FeLV/FIV) or a direct method (Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV). Collection of a saliva specimen therefore provides an acceptable alternative to venipuncture (i) in fractious cats where saliva may be easier to obtain than whole blood, (ii) in settings when a veterinarian or trained technician is unavailable to collect blood and (iii) in shelters where FIV testing is undertaken prior to adoption but additional blood testing is not required.
Mark E. Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Jacqueline M. Norris. Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in FIV-vaccinated and FIV-unvaccinated cats using saliva. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2016, 46, 66 -72.
AMA StyleMark E. Westman, Richard Malik, Evelyn Hall, Jacqueline M. Norris. Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in FIV-vaccinated and FIV-unvaccinated cats using saliva. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2016; 46 ():66-72.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark E. Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Jacqueline M. Norris. 2016. "Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in FIV-vaccinated and FIV-unvaccinated cats using saliva." Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 46, no. : 66-72.
Objectives Our aim was to: (i) determine the current seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) in three large cohorts of cats from Australia; and (ii) investigate potential risk factors for retroviral infection. Methods Cohort 1 (n = 2151 for FIV, n = 2241 for FeLV) consisted of cats surrendered to a shelter on the west coast of Australia (Perth, Western Australia [WA]). Cohort 2 (n = 2083 for FIV, n = 2032 for FeLV) consisted of client-owned cats with outdoor access recruited from around Australia through participating veterinary clinics. Cohort 3 (n = 169 for FIV, n = 166 for FeLV) consisted of cats presenting to Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital for a variety of reasons. Fresh whole blood was collected and tested using a commercially available point-of-care lateral flow ELISA kit that detects p27 FeLV antigen and antibodies to FIV antigens (p15 and p24) (cohorts 1 and 2), or one of two lateral flow immunochromatography kits that detect p27 antigen and antibodies to FIV antigen (p24 and/or gp40) (cohort 3). Data recorded for cats in cohort 2 included signalment, presenting complaint and postcode, allowing investigation of risk factors for FIV or FeLV infection, as well as potential geographical ‘hot spots’ for infection. Results The seroprevalence of FIV was 6% (cohort 1), 15% (cohort 2) and 14% (cohort 3), while the seroprevalence of FeLV was 1%, 2% and 4% in the same respective cohorts. Risk factors for FIV infection among cats in cohort 2 included age (>3 years), sex (male), neutering status (entire males) and location (WA had a significantly higher FIV seroprevalence compared with the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria). Risk factors for FeLV infection among cats in cohort 2 included health status (‘sick’) and location (WA cats were approximately three times more likely to be FeLV-infected compared with the rest of Australia). No geographical hot spots of FIV infection were identified. Conclusions and relevance Both FIV and FeLV remain important infections among Australian cats. WA has a higher seroprevalence of both feline retroviruses compared with the rest of Australia, which has been noted in previous studies. A lower neutering rate for client-owned male cats is likely responsible for the higher seroprevalence of FIV infection in WA cats, while the reason for the higher seroprevalence of FeLV in WA cats is currently unknown.
Mark E Westman; Amanda Paul; Richard Malik; Phillip McDonagh; Michael Ward; Evelyn Hall; Jacqueline M Norris. Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in Australia: risk factors for infection and geographical influences (2011–2013). Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports 2016, 2, 1 .
AMA StyleMark E Westman, Amanda Paul, Richard Malik, Phillip McDonagh, Michael Ward, Evelyn Hall, Jacqueline M Norris. Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in Australia: risk factors for infection and geographical influences (2011–2013). Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports. 2016; 2 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark E Westman; Amanda Paul; Richard Malik; Phillip McDonagh; Michael Ward; Evelyn Hall; Jacqueline M Norris. 2016. "Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in Australia: risk factors for infection and geographical influences (2011–2013)." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports 2, no. 1: 1.
This study challenges the commonly held view that the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection status of FIV-vaccinated cats cannot be determined using point-of-care antibody test kits due to indistinguishable antibody production in FIV-vaccinated and naturally FIV-infected cats. The performance of three commercially available point-of-care antibody test kits was compared in a mixed population of FIV-vaccinated (n=119) and FIV-unvaccinated (n=239) cats in Australia. FIV infection status was assigned by considering the results of all antibody kits in concert with results from a commercially available PCR assay (FIV RealPCR™). Two lateral flow immunochromatography test kits (Witness FeLV/FIV; Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV) had excellent overall sensitivity (100%; 100%) and specificity (98%; 100%) and could discern the true FIV infection status of cats, irrespective of FIV vaccination history. The lateral flow ELISA test kit (SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo) could not determine if antibodies detected were due to previous FIV vaccination, natural FIV infection, or both. The sensitivity and specificity of FIV RealPCR™ for detection of viral and proviral nucleic acid was 92% and 99%, respectively. These results will potentially change the way veterinary practitioners screen for FIV in jurisdictions where FIV vaccination is practiced, especially in shelter scenarios where the feasibility of mass screening is impacted by the cost of testing
Mark E. Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Paul A. Sheehy; Jacqueline M. Norris. Determining the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) status of FIV-vaccinated cats using point-of-care antibody kits. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2015, 42, 43 -52.
AMA StyleMark E. Westman, Richard Malik, Evelyn Hall, Paul A. Sheehy, Jacqueline M. Norris. Determining the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) status of FIV-vaccinated cats using point-of-care antibody kits. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2015; 42 ():43-52.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark E. Westman; Richard Malik; Evelyn Hall; Paul A. Sheehy; Jacqueline M. Norris. 2015. "Determining the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) status of FIV-vaccinated cats using point-of-care antibody kits." Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 42, no. : 43-52.