Abstract
BackgroundCoronaviruses (CoVs) are major human and animal pathogens and antiviral drugs are pursued as a complementary strategy, chiefly if vaccines are not available. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal systemic disease of felids caused by FIP virus (FIPV), a virulent pathotype of feline enteric coronavirus (FeCoV). Some antiviral drugs active on FIPV have been identified, but they are not available in veterinary medicine. ERDRP-0519 (ERDRP) is a non-nucleoside inhibitor, targeting viral RNA polymerase, effective against morbilliviruses in vitro and in vivo.ResultsThe antiviral efficacy of ERDRP against a type II FIPV was evaluated in vitro in Crandell Reese Feline Kidney (CRFK) cells. ERDRP significantly inhibited replication of FIPV in a dose-dependent manner. Viral infectivity was decreased by up to 3.00 logarithms in cell cultures whilst viral load, estimated by quantification of nucleic acids, was reduced by nearly 3.11 logaritms.ConclusionsThese findings confirm that ERDRP is highly effective against a CoV. Experiments will be necessary to assess whether ERDRP is suitable for treatment of FIPV in vivo.
Highlights
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are major human and animal pathogens and antiviral drugs are pursued as a complementary strategy, if vaccines are not available
Feline CoV (FCoV) exists as two different biotypes, i.e. feline enteric CoV (FeCoV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) [3]
The experiments to assess the antiviral activity were carried out using concentrations of drugs below the cytotoxic threshold, starting from 50 μM
Summary
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are major human and animal pathogens and antiviral drugs are pursued as a complementary strategy, if vaccines are not available. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal systemic disease of felids caused by FIP virus (FIPV), a virulent pathotype of feline enteric coronavirus (FeCoV). CoVs cause mainly respiratory tract infections, with mild clinical signs (i.e. the common cold) with exception of hypervirulent CoVs, i.e. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) CoV-1, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) CoV and SARS CoV-2 infectious agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), that may cause severe. FCoV exists as two different biotypes, i.e. feline enteric CoV (FeCoV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) [3]. FeCoV causes mild enteritis (usually subclinical infection) whilst FIPV causes a highly lethal systemic disease, due to mutations of the FeCoV pathotype. The mortality rate of cats exhibiting these symptoms is high, some cats can live with the disease for weeks, months or, rarely, years [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
