Use of serologic tests to predict resistance to feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, and feline parvovirus infection in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether detection of virus-specific serum antibodies correlates with resistance to challenge with virulent feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline parvovirus (FPV) in cats and to determine percentages of client-owned cats with serum antibodies to FHV-1, FCV, and FPV.


METHODS
Prospective experimental study.


METHODS
72 laboratory-reared cats and 276 client-owned cats.


METHODS
Laboratory-reared cats were vaccinated against FHV-1, FCV, and FPV, using 1 of 3 commercial vaccines, or maintained as unvaccinated controls. Between 9 and 36 months after vaccination, cats were challenged with virulent virus. Recombinant-antigen ELISA for detection of FHV-1-, FCV-, and FPV-specific antibodies were developed, and results were compared with results of hemagglutination inhibition (FPV) and virus neutralization (FHV-1 and FCV) assays and with resistance to viral challenge.


RESULTS
For vaccinated laboratory-reared cats, predictive values of positive results were 100% for the FPV and FCV ELISA and 90% for the FHV-1 ELISA. Results of the FHV-1, FCV, and FPV ELISA were positive for 195 (70.7%), 255 (92.4%), and 189 (68.5%), respectively, of the 276 client-owned cats.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that for cats that have been vaccinated, detection of FHV-1-, FCV-, and FPV-specific antibodies is predictive of whether cats are susceptible to disease, regardless of vaccine type or vaccination interval. Because most client-owned cats had detectable serum antibodies suggestive of resistance to infection, use of arbitrary booster vaccination intervals is likely to lead to unnecessary vaccination of some cats.
Lappin
Michael R
MR
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Andrews
Janet
J
Simpson
Dan
D
Jensen
Wayne A
WA
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D017927:Calicivirus, Feline / Q000276:immunology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002415:Cats; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000662:veterinary; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D028301:Feline Panleukopenia Virus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000276:immunology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D014765:Viral Vaccines
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D014765:Viral Vaccines