Feline Coronavirus Antivirals: A Review

Abstract

Feline coronaviruses (FCoV) are common viral pathogens of cats. They usually induce asymptomatic infections but some FCoV strains, named Feline Infectious Peritonitis Viruses (FIPV) lead to a systematic fatal disease, the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). While no treatments are approved as of yet, numerous studies have been explored with the hope to develop therapeutic compounds. In recent years, two novel molecules (GS-441524 and GC376) have raised hopes given the encouraging results, but some concerns about the use of these molecules persist, such as the fear of the emergence of viral escape mutants or the difficult tissue distribution of these antivirals in certain affected organs. This review will summarize current findings and leads in the development of antiviral therapy against FCoV both in vitro and in vivo, with the description of their mechanisms of action when known. It highlights the molecules, which could have a broader effect on different coronaviruses. In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the development of antivirals is an urgent need and FIP could be a valuable model to help this research area.

Fecal Feline Coronavirus RNA Shedding and Spike Gene Mutations in Cats with Feline Infectious Peritonitis Treated with GS-441524

“…Both viral genetic determinants and the host immune system are likely to play roles in the development of FIP [ 14 , 36 , 37 ], but once FIP is diagnosed, the outcome so far has always been fatal. Several antiviral and immunomodulating FIP treatment regimens have been investigated (for a comprehensive review, see [ 38 ]). Thus far, the most promising results were obtained using not yet licensed compounds: a 3C-like protease inhibitor and the nucleoside analog GS-441524 [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”

Development of Colorimetric Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Detecting Feline Coronavirus

“…Also, both type I and II FCoV can cause the fatal disease of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). In addition, FCoV can be classified into avirulent and virulent biotypes based on their pathobiology [ 15 ]. Avirulent strains of FCoV are capable of infecting the intestinal tract resulting in asymptomatic or mild digestive disease, so-called feline enteric coronavirus (FECV).…”

“…Avirulent strains of FCoV are capable of infecting the intestinal tract resulting in asymptomatic or mild digestive disease, so-called feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). It is widely accepted that the highly virulent biotype, referred to as feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) develops from less virulent FCoV in individual cat through mutations in certain genes (spike glycoproteins and probably some accessory genes, 3c and 7b); the hypothesis of which is called internal mutation theory [ 15 ]. It was estimated to occur in approximately 5% of persistently infected cats [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…It was estimated to occur in approximately 5% of persistently infected cats [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. FIPV is responsible for monocytes and macrophages infection leading to fatal immune-mediated disease [ 15 , 18 , 20 , 21 ].…”

The Structure of the Porcine Deltacoronavirus Main Protease Reveals a Conserved Target for the Design of Antivirals

“…Coronaviruses (CoVs) are round or oval enveloped viruses with a positive-sense RNA genome [ 1 ]. CoVs are among the most dangerous microbiological pathogens that infect mammals, such as humans, mice, cats, and pigs, as well as birds, such as sparrows, and they are responsible for a large number of gastric, enteric and respiratory syndromes [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. In 2003, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) led to an international epidemic, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was demonstrated to be the etiological agent [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”