Oral Recombinant Feline Interferon-Omega as an alternative immune modulation therapy in FIV positive cats: clinical and laboratory evaluation

Res Vet Sci. 2014 Feb;96(1):79-85. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.11.007. Epub 2013 Nov 25.

Abstract

Recombinant-Feline Interferon-Omega (rFeIFN-ω) is an immune-modulator licensed for use subcutaneously in Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) therapy. Despite oral protocols have been suggested, little is known about such use in FIV-infected cats. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical improvement, laboratory findings, concurrent viral excretion and acute phase proteins (APPs) in naturally FIV-infected cats under oral rFeIFN-ω therapy (0.1 MU/cat rFeIFN-ω PO, SID, 90 days). 11 FIV-positive cats were treated with oral rFeIFN-ω (PO Group). Results were compared to previous data from 7 FIV-positive cats treated with the subcutaneous licensed protocol (SC Group). Initial clinical scores were similar in both groups. Independently of the protocol, rFeIFN-ω induced a significant clinical improvement of treated cats. Concurrent viral excretion and APP's variation were not significant in the PO Group. Oral rFeIFN-ω can be an effective alternative therapy for FIV-infected cats, being also an option for treatment follow-up in cats submitted to the licensed protocol.

Keywords: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV); Immune-modulation; Oral therapy; Recombinant-Feline Interferon Omega (rFeIFN-ω).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Proteins / analysis
  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Feces / virology
  • Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / genetics
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / immunology*
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Interferon Type I / administration & dosage
  • Interferon Type I / pharmacology*
  • Interferon Type I / therapeutic use
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon Type I
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • interferon omega 1