Antibody response to feline panleukopenia virus vaccination in cats with asymptomatic retrovirus infections: a pilot study:

ObjectivesCurrently, there are only a few studies on how immunocompromised cats, such as cats infected with feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), respond to vaccination. Therefore, this study measured feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) antibodies in retrovirus-infected cats within a period of 28 days after FPV vaccination, and compared the immune response to that of non-infected cats.MethodsEight asymptomatic retrovirus-infected cats (four FeLV, four FIV), and non-infected age-matched control cats (n = 67) were vaccinated with a commercial FPV modified live virus (MLV). Pre- and post-vaccination antibody titres were measured by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) on days 0, 7 and 28. An HI titre ⩾1:40 was defined as protective. An adequate response to vaccination was defined as a four-fold titre increase or higher. Comparison of the immune response of retrovirus-infected and non-infected cats was performed.ResultsPre-vaccination FPV antibody titres ⩾1:40 were present in 100% (...