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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or FIV is a retrovirus
very similar to that of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
or HIV. Both viruses require intimate contact for spread
to occur owing to the poor survivability of this particular
retrovirus outside of the body. As FIV and HIV are specific
viruses to the species affected, cross infection cannot
occur from human to feline or vise versa.
Recently, a University of Florida researcher, Janet
Yamamoto PhD, has developed a vaccination for FIV which
has obtained approval for use by the federal government.
This breakthrough is the first time any type of preventative
vaccine for immunodeficiency virus infection has been
approved for commercial use. The vaccine, Fel-O-Vax,
is marketed through Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland
Park, Kansas.
The 3 dose protocol for the vaccine can be initiated
in kittens 8 weeks of age and older. Data from field
studies of the commercial vaccine indicate protection
in 84% of vaccinates against feline immunodeficiency
virus (FIV) infection. Protection lasts at least 12
months. In the field trials over 2000 vaccinations were
administered with no adverse systemic or local reactions
in 99.12 percent of the cats.
Some of the concerns with regards to the vaccine however,
stem from the fact that vaccinated cats will then become
positive to the routine antibody test for FIV. However,
there is an additional test which can be done in suspect
cases, to confirm actual infection with FIV known as
the Polymerase chain reaction test (PCR). Therefore,
if in the future, a stray cat should test positive to
the antibody test for FIV, and there is no vaccination
history available, a PCR test could then confirm actual
viral infection vs. vaccination induced.
The discovery of this vaccine has lead Dr. Yamamoto
to apply the lessons learned with FIV vaccination, in
order to assist in developing a vaccination for HIV
in people.
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