Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat flu: Broad spectrum polymeric antivirals.
- Journal:
- Antiviral research
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Synowiec, Aleksandra et al.
- Affiliation:
- Jagiellonian University
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) are two main viruses that cause upper respiratory problems in cats, leading to symptoms like sneezing, eye infections, and sores on the nose and face. While the first infection is usually mild, it can become serious, especially in young or sick cats, and could even be fatal. Researchers tested a new antiviral treatment called poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonates) (PSSNa), which works differently on each virus; it stops FHV-1 from entering cells and prevents infection, while it interferes with the later stages of FCV's ability to reproduce. Overall, PSSNa shows promise as a treatment to help manage and prevent these viral respiratory diseases in cats.
Abstract
Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) are considered as main causes of feline upper respiratory tract disease and the most common clinical manifestations include rhinotracheitis, conjunctivitis, and nasal/facial ulcerations. While the primary infection is relatively mild, secondary infections pose a threat to young or immunocompromised cats and may result in a fatal outcome. In this study, we made an effort to evaluate antiviral potency of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonates) (PSSNa) as potent FHV-1 and FCV inhibitors for topical use. Mechanistic studies showed that PSSNa exhibits a different mechanism of action depending on target species. While PSSNa acts directly on FHV-1 particles blocking their interaction with the host's cell and preventing the infection, the antiviral potency against FCV is based on inhibition at late stages of the viral replication cycle. Altogether, PSSNa polymers are promising drug candidates to be used in the treatment and prevention of the viral upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), regardless of the cause.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31325462/