Studies of the effect of acemannan on retrovirus infections: clinical stabilization of feline leukemia virus-infected cats.

Abstract

Feline leukemia is a disease induced by an oncornavirus infection that inevitably causes clinically affected cats to die. It has been estimated that 40% of cats are dead within 4 weeks and 70% within 8 weeks of the onset of clinical symptoms. Acemannan is a complex carbohydrate with both immunostimulatory and direct antiviral properties. Administration of acemannan for 6 weeks intraperitoneally to clinically symptomatic cats significantly improved both the quality of life and the survival rate. Twelve weeks after initiation of treatment, 71% of treated cats were alive and in good health.

• Authors: M A Sheets, B A Unger, G F Giggleman Jr, I R Tizard
• Journal: Molecular biotherapy (Mol Biother) Vol. 3 Issue 1 Pg. 41-5 (Mar 1991) ISSN: 0952-8172 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1648929 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Mannans
• acemannan

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Cat Diseases (drug therapy)
• Cats
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Leukemia (drug therapy, veterinary)
• Leukemia Virus, Feline
• Mannans (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)