Amyloidosis associated with feline leukemia virus in a white bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

Abstract

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the cause of neoplastic and degenerative disorders and immunosuppression in domestic cats. FeLV has never been reported in Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). Necropsy findings of a white Bengal tigress were a subcutaneous mass of 10 cm in diameter in the right rear limb which was classified as fibrosarcoma. In agreement with macroscopic and microscopic lesions, the morphologic diagnosis was consistent with a multisystemic disease characterized by fibrinonecrotic and suppurative broncopneumonia with multifocal severe bronchiectasis, severe icteric hepatomegaly and renal amyloidosis with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Furthermore, a serum sample was positive to FeLV when diagnosed by ELISA. This report concluded that FeLV was associated with the pathological findings and death of the tigress.