Link found between cat, human AIDS viruses

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Sep 08, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A University of Florida researcher says she's discovered an unexpected link between the viruses that cause feline and human AIDS.

Researcher Janet Yamamoto, a professor at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, found cats vaccinated with an experimental strain of the human AIDS virus appear to be at least as well-protected against the feline version of the disease as cats immunized with the vaccine currently used by veterinarians.

The surprise finding may mean cats with feline immunodeficiency virus, also known as FIV or feline AIDS, could be treated more effectively using some form of the experimental human vaccine.

Yamamoto also theorizes the emerging relationships between the two viruses might lead to a vaccine for human AIDS.

Results from Yamamoto's research appear in the current online issue of the journal AIDS.