ORAL USE OF HUMAN ALPHA-INTERFERON IN CATS

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  • 1 October 1988
    • journal article
    • review article
    • Vol. 7  (5) , 513-523
Abstract
Low doses (0.5 or 5.0 U) of human alpha interferon (HuIFN.alpha.) given orally prevented the experimental development of fatal feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-related disease. Twenty-one FeLV-susceptible cats were inoculated with the Rickard strain of FeLV. Cats given oral HuIFN.alpha. survived significantly (p < 0.001) longer than untreated FeLV-infected cats. Moreover, only 4 of 13 (30.8%) HuIFN.alpha.-treated cats developed clinical disease during the course of the study, whereas 100% of the untreated control cats developed fatal FeLV-related disease. Thus, in experimental retroviral disease, heterologous species HuIFN.alpha. provided significant clinical benefits.