FCoV-23

International Research Consortium

FCoV-23 is a novel feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus, the virulent form of a common feline coronavirus, that spread rapidly on the island nation of Cyprus. To date, approximately 10,000 known deaths and myriad unrecorded stray cat fatalities have occurred when only sporadic cases were seen previously. Recent studies have suggested that Cyprus can act as a “sentinel” for Europe in relation to environmental changes and the spread of infectious agents.

An international group of veterinary experts formed the FCoV-23 International Research Consortium to address this crisis. Urgent research is needed to understand and mitigate the current epidemic and to develop effective strategies to prevent it from spreading internationally. While Cyprus is geographically isolated in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, sporadic cases have occurred in other countries when infected cats were adopted by visitors and taken off the island. Fortunately, these cases were identified and isolated promptly, but future outbreaks are bound to occur without immediate intervention.

Mission Statement

The FCoV-23 International Research Consortium is dedicated to addressing the urgent FIP Virus crisis in Cyprus through collaborative, nonprofit-sponsored research. Our mission is to understand the novel virus, develop effective mitigation strategies, investigate the viral evolution’s impact on treatments, and provide guidance to protect feline health globally from this emerging threat.

IRC Position Statements

Advancing Therapeutic Options for Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Feline infectious peritonitis has long been a devastating and almost always fatal disease in cats. Recent advancements are now showing strong treatment efficacy with new antiviral drug candidates. Many of these drug candidates have shown utility in the treatment of COVID-19 in humans, opening the door to off-label veterinary use in FIP in some parts of the world with tremendous success. Here we outline the key issues currently faced and our call to action for the development and utilization of diverse, globally accessible, cost-effective therapeutic drugs.

Classification, Surveillance & Diagnosis of Feline Coronaviruses and FIP

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is the cause of feline infectious peritonitis), one of the most impactful infectious diseases in feline medicine. Based on clinical presentation two distinct viral biotypes were proposed to account for the remarkable pathogenic properties attributed to FCoV: feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). Based on in vitro neutralization tests, FCoV has also long been known to exist as two distinct serotypes (I and II), with the possibility of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection. However, recent information on this highly complex disease and agent has prompted a re-evaluation of these traditional paradigms, which may now be considered outmoded.

Funding

Modeled after NIH P01 Research Program Project Grants, a special funding opportunity co-sponsored by EveryCat Health Foundation and Morris Animal Foundation, called for Projects to investigate this recent outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis on the island nation of Cyprus. NIH P01 grants support broadly based, often multidisciplinary, long-term research programs involving groups of investigators working on research projects that contribute to the overall program objectives. Approximately $1,300,000 in initial funding was awarded for Projects of sufficient scientific merit, relevance and potential to characterize and control this outbreak.