Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a complex retrovirus belonging to the Lentivirus genus that primarily infects domestic cats and other felids worldwide. Similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), FIV targets the immune system by infecting CD4+ T-lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, leading to a progressive decline in immune function and the eventual development of feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [1][2]. The virus utilizes the CXCR4 chemokine receptor as its primary entry co-receptor on host cells and integrates its genetic material into the host genome as a provirus [3]. While there is no definitive cure, therapeutic strategies often involve the use of antiretroviral drugs, such as reverse transcriptase inhibitors like zidovudine, to reduce viral load and manage clinical symptoms [4]. FIV serves as both a significant veterinary pathogen and a valuable comparative model for studying lentiviral pathogenesis and developing potential treatments for human immunodeficiency [5]. Sources: [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7150103/ [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12163548/ [3] https://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/11673 [4] https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/disorders-involving-the-immune-system-of-cats/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133180/

Other names

Feline T-lymphotropic lentivirusFeline AIDS virusFIV-ChFIV-Petaluma

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibition, CXCR4 receptor antagonism, Protease inhibition