Attempts to protect cats against FIV infection by prophylactic administration of feline interferon Ω

The prophylactic treatment efficacy against experimental FIV infection of a recombinant feline interferon, (rFeINF Ω) was evaluated with the aim to determine whether INF Ω could be used as prophylactic regimen in cats being introduced to a boarding cattery. There seemed to be a chance for success as IFN Ω had been found to inhibit FIV in vitro. The experiment was conducted as a double - blinded study against a placebo. The efficacy of IFN Ω was evaluated by the following parameters: by the detection of antibodies to TM by ELISA, by clinical chemistry and hematology examinations, by detection and quantitation of proviral and viral loads in blood, plasma and saliva. IFN Ω - treatment did not lead to changes in the cat health nor did it induce any differences in the course of seroconversion, viral and proviral loads, cytokine expression and weight gain. Therefore, at present use of IFN Ω cannot be considered to have any protective effect in cats against potential FIV infection as it has be expected in a boarding cattery