Antiviral studies of feline infectious peritonitis virus in vitro

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Antiviral Drug Discovery
• Feline Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) causes a lethal, immune-mediated disease in cats.
• Effective antiviral treatments for FIPV are limited.
• In vitro studies are crucial for identifying potential FIPV inhibitors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To screen compounds for in vitro antiviral activity against FIPV.
• To determine the efficacy and selectivity of identified FIPV inhibitors.
• To establish an order of antiviral potency for promising compounds.

Main Methods:

• In vitro screening of sixteen compounds against FIPV replication.
• Quantification of viral inhibition using cytopathic effect endpoint.
• Determination of 50% effective dose (ED50) and 50% cytotoxic dose (CD50).
• Calculation of selectivity indices (CD50/ED50) to rank antiviral activity.

Main Results:

• Six out of sixteen tested compounds demonstrated significant inhibition of FIPV replication (P < 0.05).
• Antiviral activity was observed with reduction in virus titres ranging from 0.401 to 0.833 log10.
• Pyrazofurin exhibited the highest antiviral activity, followed by 6-azauridine, 3-deazaguanosine, hygromycin B, fusidic acid, and dipyridamole.

Conclusions:

• Several compounds show promise as potential antiviral agents against FIPV in vitro.
• Pyrazofurin demonstrates superior antiviral potency among the tested compounds.
• Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of these compounds for feline infectious peritonitis.