Impacts of Antiretroviral Therapy on the Oral Microbiome and Periodontal Health of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Cats.

Summary: Just like humans with HIV, cats with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) often suffer from painful gum disease and oral infections. Scientists recently tested whether standard HIV medication (antiretroviral therapy, or cART) could help cats the way it helps humans. Over an 8-month study, they found that cats treated with cART had significantly healthier gums and a balanced population of protective mouth bacteria compared to untreated cats. This confirms that the medication works by preserving the mouth's natural defense system and shows that studying cats is a valuable way to improve dental care for humans living with HIV.