Quasispecies evolution in the progression of FIV infection. (360G-Wellcome-088486_Z_09_Z)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus that occurs in cats worldwide, is a ubiquitous feline pathogen. Infected cats may progress from the primary acute phase, through a variable latent phase until finally developing AIDS in the terminal phase, mirroring the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in people. Therefore, as well as being an important area for veterinary research, FIV research has comparative value for understanding the progression of HIV infection in human patients. Although we have been diagnosing FIV infection for over 20 years, the outcome of infection is variable depending on the infecting strain; consequently the proportion of naturally infected cats that develop second stage disease is unknown. The key goals of this project are to address host and viral factors that may determine the different outcomes with the aim of developing a test that will provide useful prognostic information.