Influence of antibody infusion on pathogenesis of experimental feline leukemia virus infection

For examination of the influence of antibody on the pathogenesis of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, 12 weanling specific-pathogen-free cats were inoculated with isolates of FeLV and were treated beginning at 7, 19, 21, 24, 34, or 49 days post inoculation (DPI) with feline anti-FeLV hyperimmune serum (10 infusions, 37 mg globulin/kg each at 48-hr intervals). Anti-FeLV serum infusion initiated at 7 DPI prevented the onset of hematopoietic cell infection and viremia. Antibody treatment initiated at 19 or 24 DPI abrogated recently established FeLV viremia and extinguished p27 expression in bone marrow and blood cells. Viremia established for longer periods was refractory to antibody infusion despite establishment of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody titers of 1:80 to 1:320 in the treated cats. Latent FeLV infection was a sequel to antibody-induced curtailment of viral replication in bone marrow cells and was able to reactivate spontaneously in vivo as well as in vitro.