Canine parvovirus (CPV)-2 has been isolated from cats presenting with signs of panleukopenia. CPV-2c is reported as the most pathogenic genetic variant in this species. Few efficacy data support the ability of current feline parvovirus containing vaccines to protect cats against parvovirus from canine origin. As canine and feline parvovirus seroneutralising antibodies correlate with clinical protection in each respective species, the study objective was to demonstrate the ability of both Leucofeligen^TM FeLV/RCP and Feligen^TM CPR vaccines (Virbac, Carros, France) to protect cats against parvovirus due to CPV variants by serology.

In this retrospective study, kitten sera samples obtained within the frame of two studies were used. In study A, sera were obtained from 18 kittens, 9/18 vaccinated with Leucofeligen^TM FeLV/RCP and 9/18 unvaccinated kittens. From study B, sera were from 26 kittens, vaccinated with either Feligen^TM CRP (11/26) or Leucofeligen^TM FeLV/RCP (15/26). All vaccinated kittens had received two subcutaneous vaccine injections 3 weeks apart for primary vaccination, starting at 9–10 weeks of age. Sera were taken prior to vaccination and 4 weeks after the last vaccine injection, and used to assess the ability of the vaccine-induced antibodies to neutralise CPV-2 and CPV-2c antigens by seroneutralisation (SN) assays. SN titre below 10^1,17 was considered as negative. All results are expressed in mean±standard deviation, in log10 units.

In both studies, none of the cat sera was able to neutralise CPV-2 or CPV-2c antigen prior to vaccination. At 4 weeks after the last vaccine injection for primary vaccination, whatever the study, kittens vaccinated with either Leucofeligen^TM FeLV/RCP (9/9 from study A and 15/15 from study B) or Feligen^TM CRP (11/11 from study B) were able to neutralise both CPV-2 and CPV-2c antigens. After vaccination, SN titres against CPV-2 were respectively 3.35±0.69, 4.02±0.54 and 4.03±0.86 for sera of kittens vaccinated with Leucofeligen^TM FeLV/RCP in study A, study B and kittens vaccinated with Feligen^TM CRP from study B. CPV-2c SN titres obtained post-vaccination were, for the same groups, 3.35±0.65, 4.03±0.51 and 3.97±0.82. No significant difference could be demonstrated for any CPV-2 variant and for any vaccine (p>0.05).

Cats vaccinated with either Leucofeligen^TM FeLV/RCP and Feligen^TM CRP vaccines developed an acquired immunity against CPV variants. Based on the correlation between seroneutralising antibodies and protection for parvovirus, both Leucofeligen^TM FeLV/RCP and Feligen^TM CRP vaccines protect cats against parvovirosis due to CPV variants.

Disclosures

Disclosures to report
All authors are employees of Virbac.