FUNDAMENTALS OF FIV INFECTION - IS A VACCINE POSSIBLE

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), discovered in 1986, is the causat ive agent of feline immunodeficiency syndrome (FAIDS) in domestic cats . Our understanding of FIV immunopathogenesis has expanded in recent y ears, but the development of an effective vaccine has been slow. This review briefly summarizes the current status of FIV infection and FIV vaccine research, including successes and failures of vaccine trials a nd the potential mechanisms of vaccine protection. Overall, the result s from the vaccine trials indicate that vaccine protection against exp erimental FIV infection is achievable and lends optimism to the prospe ct of developing an effective FIV vaccine for veterinary use.