This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tavares, L. Articles by Noronha, F. d. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tavares, L. Articles by Noronha, F. d.

3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine in Feline Leukemia Virus-infected Cats: A Model for Therapy and Prophylaxis of AIDS¹

Department of Veterinary Microbiology, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853 [L. T., C. R., K. J., F. d. N.]; and Burroughs-Wellcome Co., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 [S. N. L.]

Due to similarities between human immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus, the etiological agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndromes in humans and cats, the feline system was used as a model to conduct preliminary investigations as to the efficacy of the thymidine analogue 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) as a therapeutic and preventive agent against retroviruses. In vitro evaluations of AZT cytotoxicity and its antiviral effects were conducted. Subsequently, 50 6-week-old specific pathogen free kittens were inoculated with a highly immunosuppressive strain of Rickard-Feline Leukemia Virus. These cats were randomly subdivided into smaller groups with initiation of AZT treatment at variable times postinfection. All animals were periodically monitored for circulating infectious virus particles and virus-neutralizing antibodies. Their clinical condition was closely followed throughout the 6-week AZT treatment phase and for several months thereafter.

The results indicate that AZT prevents retrovirus infection if administered immediately following virus exposure, and may also reduce retrovirus replication if administered to previously infected animals. Some of the treated cats developed neutralizing antibodies against the virus and became resistant to subsequent viral challenge. Future trials with this drug, both for the prevention and treatment of retroviral diseases in humans and animals, are warranted.

¹ This work was supported by contract S85-25, NCI/Frederick Cancer Research Facility/Program Resources Inc., and National Cancer Institute Grant 1RO1-CA37742-01A1.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 9/ 8/86. Revised 12/17/86. Revised 3/10/87. Accepted 3/18/87.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Shi, X. Wang, E. De Clercq, S. Takao, and M. Baba Selective Inhibition of Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus Replication in Human Cells by Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., July 1, 2007; 51(7): 2600 - 2604. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. L. Havens and Committee on Pediatric AIDS Postexposure Prophylaxis in Children and Adolescents for Nonoccupational Exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pediatrics, June 1, 2003; 111(6): 1475 - 1489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. H. Qari, S. Magre, J. G. García-Lerma, A. I. Hussain, Y. Takeuchi, C. Patience, R. A. Weiss, and W. Heneine Susceptibility of the Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus to Reverse Transcriptase and Protease Inhibitors J. Virol., January 15, 2001; 75(2): 1048 - 1053. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				E. M. Beltrami, I. T. Williams, C. N. Shapiro, and M. E. Chamberland Risk and Management of Blood-Borne Infections in Health Care Workers Clin. Microbiol. Rev., July 1, 2000; 13(3): 385 - 407. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Francke, C. G. Orosz, K. A. Hayes, and L. E. Mathes Effect of Zidovudine on the Primary Cytolytic T-Lymphocyte Response and T-Cell Effector Function Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., July 1, 2000; 44(7): 1900 - 1905. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. P. Taylor, S. E. Hall, S. Navarrete, C. A. Michie, R. Davis, A. D. Witkover, M. Rossor, M. A. Nowak, P. Rudge, E. Matutes, et al. Effect of Lamivudine on Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) DNA Copy Number, T-Cell Phenotype, and Anti-Tax Cytotoxic T-Cell Frequency in Patients with HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy J. Virol., December 1, 1999; 73(12): 10289 - 10295. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. K. Henderson Postexposure Chemoprophylaxis for Occupational Exposures to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus JAMA, March 10, 1999; 281(10): 931 - 936. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Gerberding Management of Occupational Exposures to Blood-Borne Viruses N. Engl. J. Med., February 16, 1995; 332(7): 444 - 451. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. D. Ramsey and M. D. Nettleman Cost - Effectiveness of Prophylactic AZT Following Neediestick Injury in Health Care Workers Med Decis Making, June 1, 1992; 12(2): 142 - 148. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. McCune, R Namikawa, C. Shih, L Rabin, and H Kaneshima Suppression of HIV infection in AZT-treated SCID-hu mice Science, February 2, 1990; 247(4942): 564 - 566. [Abstract] [PDF]