Azidothymidine and recombinant human interferon-alpha therapy in a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus.
- Author:
Hye Jin JANG
1
;
Yen Kang HO
;
Min Hee KANG
;
Seung Gon KIM
;
Woo Jung PARK
;
In Soo CHOI
;
Dae Young KIM
;
Hee Myung PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea. parkhee@konkuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV);
subtype A;
antiretroviral therapy;
AZT;
interferon-alpha
- MeSH:
Anemia;
Animals;
Anorexia;
Anti-Retroviral Agents;
Bone Marrow;
Cats*;
Child;
Depression;
Electrophoresis;
Female;
Fever;
Gingivitis;
Hair;
Humans;
Hypergammaglobulinemia;
Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline*;
Interferon-alpha*;
Korea;
Membranes;
Mucus;
Necrosis;
Physical Examination;
Renal Insufficiency;
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Thrombocytopenia;
Weight Loss;
Zidovudine*
- From:Journal of Biomedical Research
2014;15(2):96-99
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A 7-year-old, spayed female, domestic short hair cat showed signs of a 2-week history of chronic anorexia, depression, and severe weight loss. Upon physical examination, pyrexia, mild gingivitis, and pale mucus membranes were noted. Laboratory analysis revealed normocytic normochromic non-regenerative anemia, severe thrombocytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Serum protein electrophoresis revealed the presence of elevated alpha-2 fraction within the globulin concentration. Based on history, clinical signs, and laboratory results, systemic viral infection was strongly suspected. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction identified the presence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in the serum. Furthermore, gene sequencing revealed the virus as FIV subtype A. Treatment with anti-retroviral agents, including azidothymidine (AZT) and recombinant human interferon-alpha, was continued for 4 weeks. However, the patient's clinical condition deteriorated, resulting in death 1 month after initiation of treatment due to progressive renal failure. Necropsy and histopathology revealed hepatic and renal necrosis with hyper-cellular bone marrow mainly comprised of myeloid precursor cells. This case report is the first to describe phylogenetic subtyping, anti-retroviral combination treatment, and clinical outcomes in an FIV-infected cat in Korea. In addition, this report suggests that treatment should be initiated during the early phase of infection that could be effective for the virus.
