Plasma cell pododermatitis associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and concomitant feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in a cat.

Abstract This report aims to describe one case of plasma cell pododermatitis associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and concomitant feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in a cat. A two-year-old, intact male, mixed-breed cat was presented with alopecia, skin peeling, and erythematous swelling in the left metacarpal paw pad. Swelling, softening, ulceration with secondary crusts, and erythematous to violaceous discoloration were observed in multiple metacarpal, metatarsal, and digital paw pads. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry were analyzed. FeLV antigenemia and FIV seropositivity were assessed by immunoassay (ELISA). Nested-PCR was used to detect FIV and FeLV proviral DNA in blood cells. Histopathological examination and anti-FeLV and anti-FIV immunohistochemical (IHC) were performed on paw pad biopsies. According to clinical and histopathological findings, a diagnosis of plasma cell pododermatitis was made. The cat was FIV and FeLV seropositive. The IHC of paw pad biopsies revealed FeLV positivity and FIV negativity. This study provides reference for further investigations about feline plasma cell pododermatitis and highlights retrovirus infection as a potential factor associated with this disease.