Examination of antiviral activity in cats treated with high-density concentrated pasteurized lactic acid bacteria, EC-12^®

<p>Alternatively, could this be: The spread of feline upper respiratory tract infections with feline herpesvirus type 1(FHV-1) or feline calicivirus(FCV) is a concern, especially since many cats become latent FHV-1 carriers over their lifetime even after recovery and vaccines do not provide sufficient protection against either FHV-1 or FCV infection. As a probiotic product that may promote feline health, a lactic acid bacteria material has been created by heating, sterilizing and concentrating Enterococcus faecalis at high density. To investigate the antiviral activity of this lactic acid bacteria material, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on 11 cats that were FHV-1- or FCV-positive (including 1 cat coinfected with both viruses). Cats were divided into two groups: a test group (n=6) treated with the lactic acid bacteria material; and a control group (n=5) not treated with the lactic acid bacteria material. Positive rates from PCR testing were compared between groups. The final positive rate for FHV-1- or FCV-related viral disease was 16.7% (1/6 cats, including 1 cat coinfected with both viruses) in the test group and 80% (4/5 cats) in the control group. Final positive scores showed an odds ratio of 2.0 for a control group, although no significant difference was identified. These results suggest that this lactic acid bacteria material has specific antiviral activity against FHV-1 or FCV.</p>