Untersuchung des Einflusses von felinem Interferon-ω auf die Überlebenszeit von Katzen mit feliner infektiöser Peritonitis und der Aussagekraft prognostischer Parameter für die Überlebenszeit

This cumulative doctoral thesis contains 4 publications. Aim of the
first study was to evaluate the influence of feline interferon-ω on
the survival time and quality of life of cats with feline
infectious peritonitis. In this placebo-controlled doubleblind
study, 37 cats suffering from feline infectious peritonitis were
included. Inclusion criterion was a confirmed diagnosis of FIP.
Cats were included from August 2004 to April 2006. They were
treated randomly with either feline interferon-ω or placebo.
Additionally, glucocorticoids, antibiotics, passive immunization,
and symptomatic treatment were given. There was no statistically
significant difference in survival time, quality of life, or any
other clinical or laboratory parameter (including complete blood
count, serum biochemistry profile) in cats treated with feline
interferon-ω versus cats treated with placebo besides number of
lymphocytes. The number of lymphocytes was significantly lower in
cats treated with feline interferon-ω. The cats survived between 3
and 200 days. One cat treated with feline interferon-ω lived for
200 days. This cat showed no symptoms for approximately 6 months,
but had to be euthanized after 200 days due to a recurrence of FIP
following secondary upper respiratory tract infection. The aim of
the second prospective study was to evaluate if clinical symptoms
or laboratory parameters correlate with the survival time and to
evaluate median survival time after diagnosis. In this study, 43
cats with confirmed feline infectious peritonitis were included
between August 2004 and April 2006. Median survival time was 8 days
and mean survival time was 15 days after diagnosis. Karnofsky´s
score, number of thrombocytes, number of lymphocytes, concentration
of bilirubin in serum, and the amount of effusion significantly
correlated with survival time. A low Karnofsky´s score, low numbers
of thrombocytes and lymphocytes, a high concentration of bilirubin,
and a high amount of effusion were associated with a poor rognosis.
The third publication is a review about treatment of cats with
feline infectious peritonitis summarizing all published reports and
studies in the literature. A lot of drugs have been tested, but
very few had proven efficacy. Nearly all the mentioned studies had
no confirmed diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis and no
control group. The fourth publication is a case report. In this
report clinical signs, laboratory values, diagnosis, treatment, and
outcome of a cat with feline infectious peritonitis were described.