Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Monitoring immune proteins in retrovirus-infected cats on interferon
By Leal, R O et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2014·Technical University of Lisbon (TULisbon)·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Monitoring acute phase proteins in retrovirus infected cats undergoing feline interferon-ω therapy.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 16 cats living in a shelter and infected with retroviruses, such as feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus, were treated with a medication called recombinant feline interferon-ω. Researchers measured certain proteins in the cats' blood before, during, and after the treatment to see how the therapy affected their immune response. They found that levels of these proteins increased significantly, suggesting that interferon-ω therapy helps boost the cats' immune systems. This information could help veterinarians monitor the health of cats undergoing this treatment more effectively.
People also search for: cat retrovirus treatment · feline interferon therapy · immune system support for cats
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Recombinant feline interferon-ω therapy is an immunomodulator currently used in the treatment of different retroviral diseases including feline immune deficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus. Although its mechanism of action remains unclear, this drug appears to potentiate the innate response. Acute phase proteins are one of the key components of innate immunity and studies describing their use as a monitoring tool for the immune system in animals undergoing interferon-ω therapy are lacking. This study aimed to determine whether interferon-ω therapy influences acute phase protein concentrations namely serum amyloid-A, α-1-glycoprotein and C-reactive protein. METHODS: A single-arm study was performed using 16 cats, living in an animal shelter, naturally infected with retroviruses and subjected to the interferon-ω therapy licensed protocol. Samples were collected before (D0), during (D10 and D30) and after therapy (D65). Serum amyloid-A and C-reactive protein were measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and α-1-glycoprotein by single radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: All the acute phase proteins significantly increased in cats undergoing interferon-ω therapy (D0/D65: P<0·05) CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Acute phase proteins appear to be reasonable predictors of innate-immune stimulation and may be useful in the individual monitoring of naturally retroviral infected cats undergoing interferon-ω therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24279640/