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Li L, Liu Z, Shi J, Yang M, Yan Y, Fu Y, Shen Z, Peng G. The CDE region of feline Calicivirus VP1 protein is a potential candidate subunit vaccine. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:80. [PMID: 38443948 PMCID: PMC10916247 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03914-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline calicivirus (FCV) infection causes severe upper respiratory disease in cats, but there are no effective vaccines available for preventing FCV infection. Subunit vaccines have the advantages of safety, low cost and excellent immunogenicity, but no FCV subunit vaccine is currently available. The CDE protein is the dominant neutralizing epitope region of the main antigenic structural protein of FCV, VP1. Therefore, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the CDE region as a truncated FCV VP1 protein in preventing FCV infection to provide a strategy for developing potential FCV subunit vaccines. RESULTS Through the prediction of FCV VP1 epitopes, we found that the E region is the dominant neutralizing epitope region. By analysing the spatial structure of VP1 protein, 13 amino acid sites in the CD and E regions were found to form hydrogen bonding interactions. The results show the presence of these interaction forces supports the E region, helping improve the stability and expression level of the soluble E protein. Therefore, we selected the CDE protein as the immunogen for the immunization of felines. After immunization with the CDE protein, we found significant stimulation of IgG, IgA and neutralizing antibody production in serum and swab samples, and the cytokine TNF-α levels and the numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes were increased. Moreover, a viral challenge trial indicated that the protection generated by the CDE subunit vaccine significantly reduced the incidence of disease in animals. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, we studied the efficacy of the CDE protein, which is the dominant neutralizing epitope region of the FCV VP1 protein, in preventing FCV infection. We revealed that the CDE protein can significantly activate humoral, mucosal and cellular immunity, and the resulting protective effect can significantly reduce the incidence of animal disease. The CDE region of the FCV capsid is easy to produce and has high stability and excellent immunogenicity, which makes it a candidate for low-cost vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zirui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jiale Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Mengfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yanan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhou Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Guiqing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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2
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Abstract
Vaccines protect cats from serious diseases by inducing antibodies and cellular immune responses. Primary vaccinations and boosters are given according to vaccination guidelines provided by industry and veterinary organizations, based on minimal duration of immunity (DOI). For certain diseases, particularly feline panleukopenia, antibody titres correlate with protection. For feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus, a similar correlation is absent, or less clear. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) presents current knowledge and expert opinion on the use of antibody testing in different situations. Antibody testing can be performed either in diagnostic laboratories, or in veterinary practice using point of care (POC) tests, and can be applied for several purposes, such as to provide evidence that a successful immune response was induced following vaccination. In adult cats, antibody test results can inform the appropriate re-vaccination interval. In shelters, antibody testing can support the control of FPV outbreaks by identifying potentially unprotected cats. Antibody testing has also been proposed to support decisions on optimal vaccination schedules for the individual kitten. However, such testing is still expensive and it is considered impractical to monitor the decline of maternally derived antibodies.
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Hofmann-Lehmann R, Hosie MJ, Hartmann K, Egberink H, Truyen U, Tasker S, Belák S, Boucraut-Baralon C, Frymus T, Lloret A, Marsilio F, Pennisi MG, Addie DD, Lutz H, Thiry E, Radford AD, Möstl K. Calicivirus Infection in Cats. Viruses 2022; 14:937. [PMID: 35632680 PMCID: PMC9145992 DOI: 10.3390/v14050937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common pathogen in domestic cats that is highly contagious, resistant to many disinfectants and demonstrates a high genetic variability. FCV infection can lead to serious or even fatal diseases. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of experts in feline medicine from 11 European countries, presents the current knowledge of FCV infection and fills gaps with expert opinions. FCV infections are particularly problematic in multicat environments. FCV-infected cats often show painful erosions in the mouth and mild upper respiratory disease and, particularly in kittens, even fatal pneumonia. However, infection can be associated with chronic gingivostomatitis. Rarely, highly virulent FCV variants can induce severe systemic disease with epizootic spread and high mortality. FCV can best be detected by reverse-transcriptase PCR. However, a negative result does not rule out FCV infection and healthy cats can test positive. All cats should be vaccinated against FCV (core vaccine); however, vaccination protects cats from disease but not from infection. Considering the high variability of FCV, changing to different vaccine strain(s) may be of benefit if disease occurs in fully vaccinated cats. Infection-induced immunity is not life-long and does not protect against all strains; therefore, vaccination of cats that have recovered from caliciviral disease is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- MRC—University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Herman Egberink
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Uwe Truyen
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK;
- Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Shirley, Solihull B90 4BN, UK
| | - Sándor Belák
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | | | - Tadeusz Frymus
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Albert Lloret
- Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Diane D. Addie
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, B-4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Alan D. Radford
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK;
| | - Karin Möstl
- Institute of Virology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
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Liu J, Zhang Z, Bai A, Sha Y, Ma L, Qin S, Chen F, Qin S, Wu J. Prophylactic Efficacy of Equine Immunoglobulin F(ab') 2 Fragments Against Feline Parvovirus. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2021; 193:3151-3162. [PMID: 34086256 PMCID: PMC8175436 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-021-03591-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Feline parvovirus (FPV), a type of parvovirus prevalent worldwide, can cause foetal death and acute enteritis in adult cats with severe leukopenia, and yet there are no effective drugs to prevent or treat FPV. Here, the immune effects of two FPV vaccines on horses were compared. IgG was extracted from FPV-immunized horse sera. Equine F(ab')2 fragments were obtained from pepsin-digested IgG and then purified by protein-G column chromatography. The results showed that the inactivated FPV oil vaccine was more effective than the inactivated FPV propolis vaccine in helping healthy horses to produce hyper-immune serum. Four methods were tested, among which the optimized octanoic acid-ammonium sulphate precipitation method was proved to be the best process for extracting IgG. The optimal condition for preparing F(ab')2 by pepsin digestion was 30 °C for 3.5 h, and the content, purity and recovery of F(ab')2 were 8.64 mg/mL, 90.36% and 93.24%, respectively. Our equine immunoglobulin F(ab')2 fragments effectively neutralized activity in vitro against FPV, alleviated the clinical symptoms of FPV-infected cats, reduced the viral loads in the intestine and had prophylactic effects in FPV-infected cats. These results indicate that the F(ab')2 fragment prepared from inactivated FPV-immunized horses may be used as a prophylactic agent for diseases caused by FPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Zhenjiang Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Anbin Bai
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Yiyu Sha
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Shaomin Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Fenglian Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Shuying Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Jianmin Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001, China.
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Spiri AM, Novacco M, Meli ML, Stirn M, Riond B, Fogle JE, Boretti FS, Herbert I, Hosie MJ, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Modified-Live Feline Calicivirus Vaccination Elicits Cellular Immunity against a Current Feline Calicivirus Field Strain in an Experimental Feline Challenge Study. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091736. [PMID: 34578316 PMCID: PMC8473420 DOI: 10.3390/v13091736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common cat virus associated with oral ulcerations and virulent-systemic disease. Efficacious FCV vaccines protect against severe disease but not against infection. The high genetic diversity of FCV poses a challenge in vaccine design. Protection against FCV has been related to humoral and cellular immunity; the latter has not been studied in detail. This study investigates the cellular and humoral immune response of specified pathogen-free (SPF) cats after modified-live FCV F9 vaccinations and two heterologous FCV challenges by the analysis of lymphocyte subsets, cytokine mRNA transcription levels, interferon (IFN)-γ release assays in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), anti-FCV antibodies, and neutralisation activity. Vaccinated cats developed a Th1 cytokine response after vaccination. Vaccination resulted in antibodies with neutralising activity against the vaccine but not the challenge viruses. Remarkably, IFN-γ-releasing PBMCs were detected in vaccinated cats upon stimulation with the vaccine strain and the first heterologous FCV challenge strain. After the first experimental infection, the mRNA transcription levels of perforin, granzyme B, INF-γ, and antiviral factor MX1 and the number of IFN-γ-releasing PBMCs when stimulated with the first challenge virus were higher in vaccinated cats compared to control cats. The first FCV challenge induced crossneutralising antibodies in all cats against the second challenge virus. Before the second challenge, vaccinated cats had a higher number of IFN-γ-releasing PBMCs when stimulated with the second challenge virus than control cats. After the second FCV challenge, there were less significant differences detected between the groups regarding lymphocyte subsets and cytokine mRNA transcription levels. In conclusion, modified-live FCV vaccination induced cellular but not humoral crossimmunity in SPF cats; innate immune mechanisms, secretory and membranolytic pathways, and IFN-γ-releasing PBMCs seem to be important in the host immune defence against FCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Spiri
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-44-635-83-78
| | - Marilisa Novacco
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Martina Stirn
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Barbara Riond
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Jonathan E. Fogle
- Comparative Immunology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
| | - Felicitas S. Boretti
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Imogen Herbert
- Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (I.H.); (M.J.H.)
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (I.H.); (M.J.H.)
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (R.H.-L.)
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6
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Spiri AM, Riond B, Stirn M, Novacco M, Meli ML, Boretti FS, Herbert I, Hosie MJ, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Modified-Live Feline Calicivirus Vaccination Reduces Viral RNA Loads, Duration of RNAemia, and the Severity of Clinical Signs after Heterologous Feline Calicivirus Challenge. Viruses 2021; 13:1505. [PMID: 34452370 PMCID: PMC8402717 DOI: 10.3390/v13081505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common cat virus causing clinical signs such as oral ulcerations, fever, reduced general condition, pneumonia, limping and occasionally virulent-systemic disease. Efficacious FCV vaccines protect against severe disease but not against infection. FCV is a highly mutagenic RNA virus whose high genetic diversity poses a challenge in vaccine design. The use of only one modified-live FCV strain over several decades might have driven the viral evolution towards more vaccine-resistant variants. The present study investigated the clinical signs, duration, and amount of FCV shedding, RNAemia, haematological changes and acute phase protein reaction in SPF cats after subcutaneous modified-live single strain FCV vaccination or placebo injection and two subsequent oronasal heterologous FCV challenge infections with two different field strains. Neither clinical signs nor FCV shedding from the oropharynx and FCV RNAemia were detected after vaccination. After the first experimental infection, vaccinated cats had significantly lower clinical scores, less increased body temperature and lower acute phase protein levels than control cats. The viral RNA loads from the oropharynx and duration and amount of RNAemia were significantly lower in the vaccinated animals. No clinical signs were observed in any of the cats after the second experimental infection. In conclusion, FCV vaccination was beneficial for protecting cats from severe clinical signs, reducing viral loads and inflammation after FCV challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Spiri
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.R.); (M.S.); (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Barbara Riond
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.R.); (M.S.); (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Martina Stirn
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.R.); (M.S.); (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Marilisa Novacco
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.R.); (M.S.); (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.R.); (M.S.); (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Felicitas S. Boretti
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Imogen Herbert
- Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (I.H.); (M.J.H.)
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (I.H.); (M.J.H.)
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (B.R.); (M.S.); (M.N.); (M.L.M.); (R.H.-L.)
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7
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Smith SL, Afonso MM, Pinchbeck GL, Gaskell RM, Dawson S, Radford AD. Temporally separated feline calicivirus isolates do not cluster phylogenetically and are similarly neutralised by high-titre vaccine strain FCV-F9 antisera in vitro. J Feline Med Surg 2019; 22:602-607. [PMID: 31411533 PMCID: PMC7252219 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x19866521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly variable and globally important feline pathogen for which vaccination has been the mainstay of control. Here, we test whether the continued use of FCV-F9, one of the most frequently used vaccine strains globally, is driving the emergence of vaccine-resistant viruses in the field. METHODS This study made use of two representative panels of field isolates previously collected from cats visiting randomly selected veterinary practices across the UK as part of separate cross-sectional studies from 2001 and 2013/2014. Phylogenetic analysis and in vitro virus neutralisation tests were used to compare the genetic and antigenic relationships between these populations and FCV-F9. RESULTS Phylogenetic analysis showed a typically radial distribution dominated by 52 distinct strains, with strains from both 2001 and 2013/2014 intermingled. The sequence for FCV-F9 appeared to be integral to this phylogeny and there were no significant differences in the genetic distances within each studied population (intra-population distances), or between them (inter-population distances), or between each population and FCV-F9. A 1 in 8 dilution neutralised 97% and 100% of the 2001 and 2013/14 isolates, respectively, and a 1 in 16 dilution neutralised 87% and 75% of isolates, respectively. There was no significant difference either in variance between the FCV-F9 neutralising titres for the two populations, or in the distribution of neutralisation titres across the two populations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Although FCV is a highly variable virus, we found no evidence for a progressive divergence of field virus from vaccine strain FCV-F9, either phylogenetically or antigenically, with FCV-F9 antisera remaining broadly and equally cross-reactive to two geographically representative and temporally separated FCV populations. We suggest this may be because the immunodominant region of the FCV capsid responsible for neutralisation may have structural constraints preventing its longer term progressive antigenic evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley L Smith
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK
| | - Maria M Afonso
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK
| | - Gina L Pinchbeck
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK
| | - Rosalind M Gaskell
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK
| | - Susan Dawson
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK
| | - Alan D Radford
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK
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8
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Cui Z, Li D, Yi S, Guo Y, Dong G, Niu J, Zhao H, Zhang Y, Zhang S, Cao L, Wang K, Zhao Y, Hu G. Equine immunoglobulin F(ab') 2 fragments protect cats against feline calicivirus infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 75:105714. [PMID: 31352323 PMCID: PMC7106254 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.105714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) causes upper respiratory tract infections in felines and threatens the health of wild and domestic felines. Clinically, specific drugs to treat FCV have not yet been developed. Here, IgG was extracted from inactivated FCV-immunized horse sera. Equine F(ab')2 fragments were obtained from pepsin-digested IgG and then purified by protein-G column chromatography. In our study, equine immunoglobulin F(ab')2 fragments showed efficient neutralizing activity in vitro against FCV and had therapeutic and prophylactic effects in FCV-infected cats. The anti-FCV-specific F(ab')2 fragment can significantly alleviate the clinical symptoms of FCV-infected cats and reduce the viral loads of the trachea, lung and spleen. These results indicate that the F(ab')2 fragment prepared from inactivated FCV-immunized horses may be used as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for diseases caused by FCV. High-purity anti-FCV F(ab')2 fragments were prepared from equine IgG. F(ab')2 fragments can bind to FCV both in vivo and in vitro. F(ab')2 fragments can reduce the clinical symptoms in kittens infected with FCV. Passive transfer of equine immune antibodies significantly reduced virus titers in the lungs and trachea of kittens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanding Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Dengliang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Shushuai Yi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yanbing Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Research Institute of Jilin Province, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Guoying Dong
- College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Haidian 100875, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangting Niu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Han Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- Department of Virology, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, 666 Liuying West Road, Changchun, Jilin 130122, China; College of Wildlife Resources, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Lili Cao
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Research Institute of Jilin Province, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Kai Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Yongkun Zhao
- Department of Virology, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, 666 Liuying West Road, Changchun, Jilin 130122, China.
| | - Guixue Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
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9
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Almeras T, Schreiber P, Fournel S, Martin V, Nicolas CS, Fontaine C, Lesbros C, Gueguen S. Comparative efficacy of the Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP and Purevax™ RCP FeLV vaccines against infection with circulating feline Calicivirus. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:300. [PMID: 29017551 PMCID: PMC5635571 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1217-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common virus, found worldwide, mainly responsible for chronic ulceroproliferative faucitis and periodontitis. This virus has a high mutation rate, leading to the presence of numerous FCV strains in the field. The objectives of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two vaccines (Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP and Purevax™ RCP FeLV), which differ by their nature (live vs. inactivated) and the vaccinal strains, against circulating FCV strains. Thirty 9-week-old specific pathogen free (SPF) kittens were thus randomised into 3 groups and were either not vaccinated (control) or vaccinated (2 injections, 3 weeks apart) with one of the vaccines. Four weeks after the second injection of primary vaccination, the cats were inoculated with a pathogenic strain representative of the ones circulating in Europe (FCV-FR4_01) and followed for 2 weeks. Results After challenge, significant differences (p < 0.05) between control cats and cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP or Purevax™ RCP FeLV were observed for body weight variation, rectal temperature rise and maximum clinical scores, reflecting the intensity of the signs (83% and 67% lower in the respective vaccinated groups than in the control group). Significant differences were observed between the vaccinated groups, as cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP had a lower temperature rise (p < 0.05 at days post-challenge 3 to 5) and lower virus shedding titres (p < 0.05 at days post-challenge 8, 9 and 11) than cats vaccinated with Purevax™ RCP FeLV. Finally, only cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP had a significantly lower cumulative score, reflecting the intensity and duration of calicivirosis clinical signs, than the control cats (77% lower vs. 62% lower for cats vaccinated with Purevax™ RCP FeLV). Conclusions Both vaccines, Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP and Purevax™ RCP FeLV, were found to be efficacious in reducing clinical signs induced by FCV-FR4_01, a FCV strain representative of the circulating ones. However, cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP were able to control the infection more efficiently than those vaccinated with Purevax™ RCP FeLV, as evidenced by the shorter duration of clinical signs and lower viral titre in excretions.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Almeras
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France
| | - P Schreiber
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France
| | - S Fournel
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France
| | - V Martin
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France
| | - C S Nicolas
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France
| | - C Fontaine
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France.
| | - C Lesbros
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France
| | - S Gueguen
- Virbac, 13ème rue, LID, 06511, Carros, France
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10
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Berger A, Willi B, Meli ML, Boretti FS, Hartnack S, Dreyfus A, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Feline calicivirus and other respiratory pathogens in cats with Feline calicivirus-related symptoms and in clinically healthy cats in Switzerland. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:282. [PMID: 26566897 PMCID: PMC4644299 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0595-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cats with feline calicivirus (FCV)-related symptoms are commonly presented to veterinary practitioners. Various clinical manifestations have been attributed to FCV, i.e. upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), oral ulcerations, gingivostomatitis, limping syndrome and virulent systemic disease. Additionally, healthy cats can shed FCV. The aims of this study were 1) to investigate the frequency of FCV in cats with FCV-related symptoms and in healthy cats in Switzerland, 2) to assess risk and protective factors for infection, such as signalment, housing conditions, vaccination, and co-infection with URTD-associated pathogens, and 3) to address the association between clinical symptoms and FCV infection. Results Oropharyngeal, nasal and conjunctival swabs were collected in 24 veterinary practices from 200 FCV-suspect and 100 healthy cats originating from 19 cantons of Switzerland. The samples were tested for FCV using virus isolation and reverse-transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and for feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Mycoplasma felis, Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica using real-time qPCR. Within the two populations (FCV-suspect/healthy), the observed PCR prevalences were: FCV 45 %/8 %, FHV-1 20 %/9 %, C. felis 8 %/1 %, B. bronchiseptica 4 %/2 %, M. felis 47 %/31 % and any co-infections thereof 40 %/14 %. Based on multivariable regression models amongst FCV-suspect cats (odds ratio [95 % confidence interval]), co-infection with M. felis (1.75 [0.97; 3.14]), group housing (2.11 [1.02; 4.34]) and intact reproductive status (1.80 [0.99; 3.28]) were found to be risk factors for FCV infection. In healthy cats, intact reproductive status (22.2 [1.85; 266.7]) and group housing (46.4 [5.70; 377.7]) were found to be associated with FCV infection. Based on an univariable approach, FCV-suspect cats were found to be significantly less often FCV-positive when vaccinated (0.48 [0.24; 0.94]). Oral ulcerations, salivation, gingivitis and stomatitis, but not classical signs of URTD were significantly associated with FCV infection (all p < 0.001). Conclusions FCV was detected in less than half of the cats that were judged FCV-suspect by veterinary practitioners. For a clinical diagnosis, FCV-related symptoms should be revisited. FCV infection was present in some healthy cats, underlining the importance of asymptomatic carriers in FCV epidemiology. To reduce FCV-related problems in multi-cat environments, reduction of group size in addition to the generally recommended vaccination are advocated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0595-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Berger
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Willi
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Felicitas S Boretti
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anou Dreyfus
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Hans Lutz
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Present address: Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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