Summary
A group of 15 cats experimentally infected with a Swiss isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus (fiv) and a group of 15 fiv-negative control cats were inoculated with an FeLV vaccine containing recombinant FeLV-envelope. High elisa antibody titer developed after vaccination in fiv-positive and fiv-negative cats. Vaccinated and nonvaccinated controls were later challenge exposed by intraperitoneal administration of virulent FeLV subtype A (Glasgow). Although 12 of 12 nonvaccinated controls became infected with FeLV (10 persistently, 2 transiently), only 1 of 18 vaccinated (9 fiv positive, 9 fiv negative) cats had persistent and 2 of 18 had transient viremia.
From these data and other observations, 2 conclusions were drawn: In the early phase of fiv infection, the immune system is not depressed appreciably, and therefore, cats may be successfully immunized; a recombinant FeLV vaccine was efficacious in protecting cats against intraperitoneal challenge exposure with FeLV.
