The prevailing belief has been that the feline infectious peritonitis virus infected just one type of immune cell. New research published in Veterinary Microbiology found FIP infects a broader range of immune cells, including those critical for fighting infection. Scientists also found evidence that the virus was actively replicating itself inside these immune cells, rather than simply leaving behind harmless fragments.
In people with severe or long-lasting coronavirus illnesses like Covid, scientists suspect that the virus may persist in the body or continue to disrupt the immune system. Cats with FIP offer a rare opportunity to study these processes up close.
Source: UC-Davis, January 13, 2025. Link.
The research findings suggest that FIP may serve as a valuable real-world model for understanding how coronaviruses interact with the immune system over time. Insights gained from cats could help guide future research into chronic inflammation and post-viral syndromes in humans, including long COVID.”