Interferon for FIV

FIV has 5 distinct phases: acute, asymptomatic, persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, AIDS-related complex (ARC), and overt feline AIDS. Cats with ARC show a wide range of clinical signs, including glossitis, uveitis, and follicular hyperplasia of the tonsil. In this study, 30 naturally infected cats with clinical disease were treated with either low-dose (10 IU/kg) oral human interferon-α (n = 24) or placebo (n = 6). Treatment was administered by applying the drug to gums and lateral rim of the lips on a week-on/week-off schedule for 6 months. A second round of therapy was administered 2 months later. Low-dose treatment resulted in rapid improvement of clinical signs within 2 months and, compared with the placebo group, prolonged survival. Viremia and virus-infected cells persisted in the treated cats. Improvement of the total white cell counts in treated cats showed a strong trend toward recovery from serious infections.

COMMENTARY: Although FIV is an incurable disease, this study offers hope to owners of cats with ARC. It also confirms the potential efficacy of low-dose oral interferon-α treatment in models of viral infections.

Low-dose interferon-α treatment for feline immunodeficiency virus infection. Pedretti E, Passeri B, Amadori M, et al. VET IMMUNOL IMMUNOPATHOL 109:245-254, 2006.