Abstract |
A competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify RNA of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats. The assay uses in vitro synthesized RNA as a competitive internal control. The synthesized RNA has a 22-base deletion with respect to the wild-type sequence. PCR products were quantitated by densitometric analysis of a digitized image of the ethidium bromide stained gel. Viral RNA concentrations in the plasma of two cats experimentally infected with FIV strain UT113 were followed for 32 weeks; peak copy numbers (2.3 x 10(4) and 1.3 x 10(4) per ml, respectively) were reached 11 weeks after subcutaneous injection of ten 50% cat infectious doses. With rising antibody titers against FIV-gag and FIV- env gene products, the amount of FIV RNA in plasma decreased. Nine asymptomatic cats that had been experimentally infected 3.5 to 4.5 years earlier had copy numbers between 5.6 x 10(3) and 4.3 x 10(4) per ml. Cats treated for six weeks with 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxy-propyl)-2,6-diaminopurine [ PMPDAP] (20 mg/kg body weight s.c. three times a week) showed a significant decrease of RNA copy numbers in plasma. This quantitative competitive RT-PCR will be useful to study the pathogenesis of the FIV infection, to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines and to monitor antiviral and immunomodulating drugs.
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Authors | T W Vahlenkamp, A De Ronde, M C Horzinek, H F Egberink |
Journal | Berliner und Munchener tierarztliche Wochenschrift
(Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr)
Vol. 109
Issue 8
Pg. 265-9
(Aug 1996)
ISSN: 0005-9366 [Print] Germany |
Vernacular Title | Quantifizierung feliner Immunschwächevirus (FIV)-RNS im Plasma infizierter Katzen. |
PMID | 9005834
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Viral
- RNA, Viral
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral
(blood)
- CD4-CD8 Ratio
- Cats
- Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(virology)
- Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline
(genetics, isolation & purification)
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
(veterinary)
- RNA, Viral
(blood)
- Viremia
(virology)
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