Maria M Afonso1, Gina L Pinchbeck1, Shirley L Smith1, Janet M Daly2, Rosalind M Gaskell3, Susan Dawson3, Alan D Radford4. 1. Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, S. Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. 2. University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK. 3. Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, S. Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. 4. Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, S. Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: A.D.Radford@liverpool.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Feline calicivirus (FCV) is an important pathogen of cats for which vaccination is regularly practised. Long-term use of established vaccine antigens raises the theoretical possibility that field viruses could become resistant. This study aimed to assess the current ability of the FCV-F9 vaccine strain to neutralise a randomly collected contemporary panel of FCV field strains collected prospectively in six European countries. METHODS: Veterinary practices (64) were randomly selected from six countries (UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy). Oropharyngeal swabs were requested from 30 (UK) and 40 (other countries) cats attending each practice. Presence of FCV was determined by virus isolation, and risk factors for FCV shedding assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Phylogenetic analyses were used to describe the FCV population structure. In vitro virus neutralisation assays were performed to evaluate FCV-F9 cross-reactivity using plasma from four vaccinated cats. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of FCV was 9.2%. Risk factors positively associated with FCV shedding included multi-cat households, chronic gingivostomatitis, younger age, not being neutered, as well as residing in certain countries. Phylogenetic analysis showed extensive variability and no countrywide clusters. Despite being first isolated in the 1950s, FCV-F9 clustered with contemporary field isolates. Plasma raised to FCV-F9 neutralized 97% of tested isolates (titres 1:4 to 1:5792), with 26.5%, 35.7% and 50% of isolates being neutralized by 5, 10 and 20 antibody units respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest prospective analysis of FCV diversity and antigenic cross-reactivity at a European level. The scale and random nature of sampling used gives confidence that the FCV isolates used are broadly representative of FCVs that cats are exposed to in these countries. The in vitro neutralisation results suggest that antibodies raised to FCV-F9 remain broadly cross-reactive to contemporary FCV isolates across the European countries sampled.
BACKGROUND:Feline calicivirus (FCV) is an important pathogen of cats for which vaccination is regularly practised. Long-term use of established vaccine antigens raises the theoretical possibility that field viruses could become resistant. This study aimed to assess the current ability of the FCV-F9 vaccine strain to neutralise a randomly collected contemporary panel of FCV field strains collected prospectively in six European countries. METHODS: Veterinary practices (64) were randomly selected from six countries (UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy). Oropharyngeal swabs were requested from 30 (UK) and 40 (other countries) cats attending each practice. Presence of FCV was determined by virus isolation, and risk factors for FCV shedding assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Phylogenetic analyses were used to describe the FCV population structure. In vitro virus neutralisation assays were performed to evaluate FCV-F9 cross-reactivity using plasma from four vaccinated cats. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of FCV was 9.2%. Risk factors positively associated with FCV shedding included multi-cat households, chronic gingivostomatitis, younger age, not being neutered, as well as residing in certain countries. Phylogenetic analysis showed extensive variability and no countrywide clusters. Despite being first isolated in the 1950s, FCV-F9 clustered with contemporary field isolates. Plasma raised to FCV-F9 neutralized 97% of tested isolates (titres 1:4 to 1:5792), with 26.5%, 35.7% and 50% of isolates being neutralized by 5, 10 and 20 antibody units respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest prospective analysis of FCV diversity and antigenic cross-reactivity at a European level. The scale and random nature of sampling used gives confidence that the FCV isolates used are broadly representative of FCVs that cats are exposed to in these countries. The in vitro neutralisation results suggest that antibodies raised to FCV-F9 remain broadly cross-reactive to contemporary FCV isolates across the European countries sampled.
Authors: Shirley L Smith; Maria M Afonso; Gina L Pinchbeck; Rosalind M Gaskell; Susan Dawson; Alan D Radford Journal: J Feline Med Surg Date: 2019-08-14 Impact factor: 2.015
Authors: D A Singleton; F Sánchez-Vizcaíno; E Arsevska; S Dawson; P H Jones; P J M Noble; G L Pinchbeck; N J Williams; A D Radford Journal: Prev Vet Med Date: 2018-09-08 Impact factor: 2.670
Authors: F Sánchez-Vizcaíno; A Muniesa; D A Singleton; P H Jones; P J Noble; R M Gaskell; S Dawson; A D Radford Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2018-04-11 Impact factor: 2.451
Authors: Joylson de Jesus Pereira; Natasha Baumworcel; Júlia Monassa Fioretti; Cinthya Fonseca Domingues; Laís Fernandes de Moraes; Robson Dos Santos Souza Marinho; Maria Clara Rodrigues Vieira; Ana Maria Viana Pinto; Tatiana Xavier de Castro Journal: Braz J Microbiol Date: 2018-02-28 Impact factor: 2.476