Diagnosis and Treatment of Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV), remains a devastating disease with high mortality and no universally effective treatment. This research was undertaken to understand FIP pathogenesis and to evaluate emerging solutions, particularly focusing on innovative vaccine designs and antiviral treatments. The growing evidence of successful clinical interventions highlights both the progress made and the critical gaps remaining in FIP management. This research systematically examines FIP's complex pathogenesis, involving viral mutations (particularly in the spike protein) and immune dysregulation mechanisms. It explores four major vaccine approaches, including multi-epitope vaccines targeting immunodominant regions, live-attenuated vaccines with gene deletions, mutation-based spike protein vaccines, and VNAR antibody therapies. For treatment, this research analyzes three key strategies, including antiviral drugs (GS-441524 and GC376), lysosomal pH modulators (CQ/HCQ), and supportive care protocols. Each section presents experimental evidence while noting limitations such as variable efficacy, safety concerns, and the need for further validation. Special attention is given to comparative effectiveness between different treatment modalities and the challenges of clinical translation. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for researchers developing next-generation FIP interventions. The identified promising directions, particularly combination therapies and structure-based vaccine design, may inform future human coronavirus research. Ultimately, this work contributes to the global effort to transform FIP from a fatal diagnosis to a manageable condition, with implications extending beyond feline medicine to broader virology and immunology fields.