Effect of halothane anaesthesia on primary antibody response in the chicken

Response of feral cats to vaccination at the time of neutering

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether administration of inactivated virus or modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines to feral cats at the time of neutering induces protective serum antiviral antibody titers.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

ANIMALS

61 feral cats included in a trap-neuter-return program in Florida.

PROCEDURES

Each cat received vaccines against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline herpes virus (FHV), feline calicivirus (FCV), FeLV, and rabies virus (RV). Immediately on completion of surgery, vaccines that contained inactivated RV and FeLV antigens and either MLV or inactivated FPV, FHV, and FCV antigens were administered. Titers of antiviral antibodies (except those against FeLV) were assessed in serum samples obtained immediately prior to surgery and approximately 10 weeks later.

RESULTS

Prior to vaccination, some of the cats had protective serum antibody titers against FPV (33%), FHV (21%), FCV (64%), and RV (3%). Following vaccination, the overall proportion of cats with protective serum antiviral antibody titers increased (FPV [90%], FHV [56%], FCV [93%], and RV [98%]). With the exception of the FHV vaccine, there were no differences in the proportions of cats protected with inactivated virus versus MLV vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that exposure to FPV, FHV, and FCV is common among feral cats and that a high proportion of cats are susceptible to RV infection. Feral cats appeared to have an excellent immune response following vaccination at the time of neutering. Incorporation of vaccination into trap-neuter-return programs is likely to protect the health of individual cats and possibly reduce the disease burden in the community.

The effects of volatile anaesthetic agents on human immune system function via occupational exposure

The immunological status of individuals occupationally exposed to low levels of halothane and nitrous oxide has been examined and compared with that of non-exposed controls. No differences in the serum concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA, peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations between the groups were observed.