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document
A trial with 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine and human interferon-α in cats naturally infected with feline leukaemia virus . Feline leukaemia virus ( FeLV ) infection is still one of the leading causes of infection-related deaths in domestic cats . Treatment with various drugs has been attempted , but none has resulted in cure or complete virus elimination . Human interferon-α2a ( huIFN-α2a ) and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine ( AZT ) have been proven to decrease antigenaemia in cats infected experimentally with FeLV . The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of huIFN-α2a , AZT and a combination of both drugs in cats infected naturally with FeLV in a placebo-controlled double-blinded trial . Fourty-four FeLV-infected cats in which free FeLV p27 antigen was detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were included in the study . Cats were assigned to one of four treatment groups that received either high dose huIFN-α2a ( 10 ( 5 ) IU/kg q24h ; 12 cats ) , AZT ( 5 mg/kg q12h ; 10 cats , both of these treatments ( 12 cats ) or placebo ( 10 cats ) . All cats were treated for 6 weeks . Clinical variables , including stomatitis , and laboratory parameters , such as CD4 ( + ) and CD8 ( + ) counts and serum FeLV p 27 antigen concentration , were recorded throughout the treatment period . No significant difference among the groups was observed during the treatment period for any of the parameters . Aside from anaemia in one cat treated with AZT , no adverse effects were observed . It was not possible to demonstrate efficacy of huIFN-α2a or AZT alone or together in cats infected naturally with FeLV when given according to this regimen for 6 weeks ; however , no notable side effects were detected .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine
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Outcome_Other
efficacy
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Outcome_Physical
stomatitis
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Outcome_Physical
CD8 ( + ) counts
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Outcome_Physical
serum FeLV p 27 antigen concentration
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
anaemia