Safety and immunologic effects after inoculation of inactivated and combined live-inactivated dermatophytosis vaccines in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine antidermatophyte immunologic effects of an experimental combined live-inactivated dermatophytosis vaccine (CLIDV) and a commercial inactivated dermatophytosis vaccine (IDV) in cats and to evaluate adverse effects associated with administration of these vaccines.


METHODS
20 healthy juvenile domestic shorthair cats.


METHODS
Cats were injected with 2 doses of CLIDV at the standard dosage or 1 dose of CLIDV at 10 times the standard dosage; IDV was administered at the manufacturer-recommended dosage. Cats were observed for illness and reactions at inoculation sites. Periodically, samples were obtained for fungal culture, lymphocyte blastogenesis test (LBT) as an indicator of cell-mediated immunity against dermatophyte antigens, and antidermatophyte IgG titers. Following vaccination, cats were challenge-exposed by topical application of Microsporum canis macroconidia and examined weekly for clinical signs of dermatophytosis.


RESULTS
of 10 cats given CLIDV developed focal crusts at the injection site that resolved without treatment; these were areas of dermatophyte infection with the vaccine strain. Antidermatophyte IgG titers increased significantly with all vaccination protocols. Cellular immunity against M canis increased slightly and variably during the vaccination period and did not differ significantly between vaccinated and control cats. All cats developed dermatophyte infection after challenge exposure. Vaccination with CLIDV or IDV was associated with slightly reduced severity of initial infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Noculation with IDV or CLIDV did not provide prophylactic immunity against topical challenge exposure with M canis. Inoculation with either vaccine did not provide a more rapid cure of an established infection.
DeBoer
Douglas J
DJ
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
Moriello
Karen A
KA
Blum
Jenifer L
JL
Volk
Lynn M
LM
Bredahl
Lars K
LK
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002415:Cats; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005657:Fungal Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008864:Microsporum / Q000276:immunology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005657:Fungal Vaccines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated