The importance of paraclinical screening in the diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia in cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in cats is an aggressive form of leukemoid syndrome, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature lymphocytes (lymphoblasts) in the bone marrow, blood and, in some cases, other tissues. This condition is frequently associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, which plays a major role in the malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells, as well as in the induction of immunosuppression. Acute lymphocytic leukemia occurs most commonly in young cats, without a clearly defined predisposition related to breed or sex. Clinically, the manifestations are nonspecific and vary depending on the comorbidities associated with the leukemoid syndrome. The hematologic profile of affected patients typically includes anemia, marked leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. Early diagnosis is essential for the implementation of an effective therapeutic approach and relies on complete blood count evaluation, morphological analysis of peripheral blood smears, and molecular testing for the detection of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection.