title: Oral Recombinant Feline Interferon-Omega as an alternative immune modulation therapy in FIV positive cats: clinical and laboratory evaluation.
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.
authors: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, University of Lisbon (ULisboa), Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300 477 Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: 1solange@fmv.ulisboa.pt.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gil
authors: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, University of Lisbon (ULisboa), Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300 477 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: R O
authors: RO
authors: Leal
authors: Virbac, 13(e) rue LID - BP 27, F 06511 Carros cedex, France.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: McGahie
authors: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E7HT, United Kingdom; Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, FCUL, Bloco C6-Piso 4 Campo Grande, 1749 016 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Sepúlveda
authors: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, University of Lisbon (ULisboa), Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300 477 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Duarte
authors: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, University of Lisbon (ULisboa), Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300 477 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: M M R E
authors: MM
authors: Niza
authors: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, University of Lisbon (ULisboa), Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300 477 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Tavares
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007370:Interferon Type I; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C063743:interferon omega 1
keywords: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV); Immune-modulation; Oral therapy; Recombinant-Feline Interferon Omega (rFeIFN-ω)