Antibody titers in domestic ferret jills and their kits to canine distemper virus vaccine

Antibody titers were measured in domestic or European ferret (Mustela putorius furo) jills vaccinated with modified-live canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine and in their kits. The half-life of maternal antibody to CDV in ferrets was 9.43 days. Ferret kits should be vaccinated against CDV at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age.     

Three-year duration of immunity in dogs following vaccination against canine adenovirus type-1, canine parvovirus, and canine distemper virus

A challenge-of-immunity study was conducted to demonstrate immunity in dogs 3 years after their second vaccination with a new multivalent, modified-live vaccine containing canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine distemper virus (CDV). Twenty-three seronegative pups were vaccinated at 7 and 11 weeks of age. Eighteen seronegative pups, randomized into groups of six dogs, served as challenge controls. Dogs were kept in strict isolation for 3 years following the vaccination and then challenged sequentially with virulent canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), CPV, and CDV. For each viral challenge, a separate group of six control dogs was also challenged. Clinical signs of CAV-1, CPV, and CDV infections were prevented in 100% of vaccinated dogs, demonstrating that the multivalent, modified-live test vaccine provided protection against virulent CAV-1, CPV, and CDV challenge in dogs 7 weeks of age or older for a minimum of 3 years following second vaccination.     

Pathogenesis of two strains of lion (Panthera leo) morbillivirus in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Canine distemper virus (CDV) was previously considered to have a host range restricted to the canid family. In 1994, the virus was associated with sporadic outbreaks of distemper in captive felids. However, after severe mortality occurred in the Serengeti lions (Panthera leo), attention became focused on the pathogenesis of the virus and a concerted effort was made to identify the virus as CDV or a closely related feline morbillivirus. The present study was designed to explore the susceptibility of ferrets to challenge with two morbilliviruses isolated from lions and the protective effects of a modified-live mink distemper vaccine. Because mortality in ferrets infected with pathogenic CDV approaches 100%, the ferret was selected as a test animal. Two strains of lion morbillivirus were used as a challenge, A92-27/20 (California lion isolate) and A94-11/13 (Serengeti lion isolate). The two strains of lion morbillivirus were antigenically related to CDV (Rockborn strain), and ferrets were susceptible to both of the viruses when inoculated intraperitoneally. The inoculated ferrets were anorectic at 5-6 days postinoculation (PI), exhibited oculonasal discharge at 9-12 days PI, and became moribund at 12-22 days PI. Severe bilateral conjunctivitis was the typical clinical sign. Inclusion bodies characteristic of morbillivirus (eosinophilic, intranuclear, and intracytoplasmic) were distributed in many epithelial cells, including those of the skin, conjunctiva, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, trachea, lung, urinary bladder, and kidney. Virus was reisolated from selected lung tissues collected at necropsy and identified by CDV-specific immunofluorescence. Ferrets vaccinated with the mink distemper vaccine (Onderstepoort strain) were protected from challenge with the two lion strains, adding further support to the premise that the viruses are closely related to CDV.     

The humoral immune response to recombinant nucleocapsid antigen of canine distemper virus in dogs vaccinated with attenuated distemper virus or DNA encoding the nucleocapsid of wild-type virus

This study compared the humoral immune response against the nucleocapsid-(N) protein of canine distemper virus (CDV) of dogs vaccinated with a multivalent vaccine against parvo-, adeno-, and parainfluenza virus and leptospira combined with either the attenuated CDV Onderstepoort strain (n = 15) or an expression plasmid containing the N-gene of CDV (n = 30). The vaccinations were applied intramuscularly three times at 2-week intervals beginning at the age of 6 weeks. None of the pre-immune sera recognized the recombinant N-protein, confirming the lack of maternal antibodies at this age. Immunization with DNA vaccine for CDV resulted in positive serum N-specific IgG response. However, their IgG (and IgA) titres were lower than those of CDV-vaccinated dogs. Likewise, DNA-vaccinated dogs did not show an IgM peak. There was no increase in N-specific serum IgE titres in either group. Serum titres to the other multivalent vaccine components were similar in both groups.     

Incidence of adverse events in ferrets vaccinated with distemper or rabies vaccine: 143 cases (1995-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of adverse events in ferrets vaccinated with a modified-live avian cell culture canine distemper virus vaccine licensed for use in ferrets, an inactivated rabies vaccine licensed for use in ferrets, or both. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 143 ferrets. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed to identify ferrets that had an adverse event after vaccination. RESULTS: Adverse events developed within 25 minutes after vaccination in 13 ferrets. One ferret developed an adverse event after receiving a distemper and a rabies vaccine simultaneously and developed a second adverse event the following year after receiving the rabies vaccine alone. Therefore, a total of 14 adverse events were identified. All adverse events were an anaphylactic reaction characterized by generalized hyperemia, hypersalivation, and vomiting. Ten of the 14 anaphylactic reactions occurred after ferrets received both vaccines, 3 occurred after ferrets received the distemper vaccine alone, and 1 occurred after a ferret received the rabies vaccine alone. Incidences of adverse events after administration of both vaccines, the distemper vaccine alone, and the rabies vaccine alone were 5.6, 5.9, and 5.6%, respectively. Ferrets that had an anaphylactic reaction were significantly older at the time of vaccination than were ferrets that did not. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that there may be a high incidence of anaphylactic reactions after vaccination of domestic ferrets. Ferrets should be observed for at least 25 minutes after vaccination, and veterinarians who vaccinate ferrets should be prepared to treat anaphylactic reactions.     

Three-year serologic immunity against canine parvovirus type 2 and canine adenovirus type 2 in dogs vaccinated with a canine combination vaccine

A group of client-owned dogs and a group of dogs at a commercial kennel were evaluated for duration of antibody responses against canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) after receiving a combination vaccine containing recombinant canarypox-vectored canine distemper virus (CDV) and modified-live CPV-2, CAV-2, and canine parainfluenza virus, with (C6) or without (C4) two serovars of Leptospira (Recombitek C4 or C6, Merial). Duration of antibody, which correlates with protective immunity, was found to be at least 36 months in both groups. Recombitek combination vaccines can confidently be given every 3 years with assurance of protection in immunocompetent dogs against CPV-2 and CAV-1 as well as CDV. This allows this combination vaccine, like other, similar modified- live virus combination products containing CDV, CAV-2, and CPV-2, to be administered in accordance with the recommendations of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force.     

Three-year rabies duration of immunity in dogs following vaccination with a core combination vaccine against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type-1, canine parvovirus, and rabies virus

Thirty-two seronegative pups were vaccinated at 8 weeks of age with modified-live canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type-2 (CAV-2), and canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccine and at 12 weeks with a modified-live CDV, CAV-2, CPV, and killed rabies virus vaccine. An additional 31 seronegative pups served as age-matched, nonvaccinated controls. All test dogs were strictly isolated for 3 years after receiving the second vaccination and then were challenged with virulent rabies virus. Clinical signs of rabies were prevented in 28 (88%) of the 32 vaccinated dogs. In contrast, 97% (30 of 31) of the control dogs died of rabies infection. These study results indicated that no immunogenic interference occurred between the modified-live vaccine components and the killed rabies virus component. Furthermore, these results indicated that the rabies component in the test vaccine provided protection against virulent rabies challenge in dogs 12 weeks of age or older for a minimum of 3 years following vaccination.     

Evaluation of the efficacy and duration of immunity of a canine combination vaccine against virulent parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis virus, and distemper virus experimental challenges

The results of this study confirmed that dogs vaccinated subcutaneously with a commercially available multivalent vaccine containing modified-live canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parvovirus type 2b, and canine parainfluenza virus antigens were protected against sequential experimental challenge 55 to 57 months after initial vaccination given at 7 to 8 weeks of age. All 10 vaccinates were protected against clinical diseases and mortality following parvovirus and infectious canine hepatitis experimental infections. All vaccinates were protected against mortality and 90% against clinical disease following distemper challenge. These data support at least a 4-year duration of immunity for these three "core" fractions in the combination vaccine.     

Effect of recombinant canine distemper vaccine on antibody titers in previously vaccinated dogs

Two canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine types are currently commercially available: modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines and a canarypox recombinant CDV (rCDV) vaccine (Recombitek, Merial). This study compared the ability of the rCDV vaccine and MLV vaccines to significantly enhance (boost) the antibody response of previously immunized adult and juvenile dogs. A significant (fourfold or greater) increase in titer occurred in significantly more dogs revaccinated with Recombitek C-4 or Recombitek C-6 than with the MLV-CDV vaccines. This study demonstrates that Recombitek, the only vaccine for dogs containing rCDV, is more likely to significantly boost the CDV antibody response in previously vaccinated dogs than are the MLV-CDV vaccines. Because rCDV vaccine can boost the antibody titer of dogs previously vaccinated with an MLV vaccine, it can and should be used when core vaccines are readministered.     

检测和鉴别犬瘟热病毒强、弱毒株的复合反转录-套式聚合酶链式反应(RT-nPCR)的建立及初步应用

根据GenBank上登录的犬瘟热病毒（Canine distemper virus，CDV）基因组全序列，选择CDV强、弱毒株间有区别保守区设计了一对通用引物P1和P4，并在该对引物跨越区域的内部设计了CDV强毒株特异性引物P2及弱毒株特异性引物P3，用引物P1／P4进行RT—PCR，然后用引物P2／P3／P4进行复合套式PCR，建立了一种能区分CDV强、弱毒株的复合反转录-套式聚合酶链式反应（RT—nPCR）的鉴别诊断方法。应用该方法从CDV强、弱毒株的基因组中分别扩增出了大小为247bp和177bp的特异性片段，从两种病毒基因组混合物中扩增出了大小为247bp和177bp的两条特异性片段，与犬细小病毒、犬腺病毒、犬冠状病毒、狂犬病病毒、新城疫病毒的细胞培养物以及正常细胞对照组进行复合RT—nPCR扩增时均为阴性。对从黑龙江省和吉林省采集的20份疑似CDV病料进行的检测结果表明，有15份类似CDV强毒，5份类似CDV弱毒。本研究建立的复合RT—nPCR可以有效检测CDV感染，能够将强、弱毒株区分开，可用于临床快速检测、流行病学监测以及追踪疫苗免疫效果等。     

Effect of vaccination with recombinant canine distemper virus vaccine immediately before exposure under shelter-like conditions

Vaccination with modified-live virus (MLV) canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine has historically been recommended for animals in high-risk environments because of the rapid onset of immunity following vaccination. Recombinant CDV (rCDV) vaccine was deemed a suitable alternative to MLV-CDV vaccination in pet dogs, but insufficient data precluded its use where CDV was a serious threat to puppies, such as in shelters, kennels, and pet stores. In this study, dogs experimentally challenged hours after a single dose of rCDV or MLV vaccine became sick but recovered, whereas unvaccinated dogs became sick and died. Dogs vaccinated with a single dose of rCDV or MLV vaccine 1 week before being experimentally challenged remained healthy and showed no clinical signs. Dogs given one dose of rCDV vaccine hours before being placed in a CDV-contaminated environment did not become sick. These findings support the hypothesis that rCDV vaccine has a similar time-to-immunity as MLV-CDV vaccines and can likewise protect dogs in high-risk environments after one dose.     

Vaccine-associated canine distemper infection in a litter of African hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus)

Four, 57 days old, African hunting dog puppies (Lycaon pictus) from one litter died within three weeks following vaccination with modified-live canine distemper virus (CDV) and killed canine adenovirus type 1, canine parvovirus and Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae and canicola. 18 days post vaccination, the animals developed neurologic disease characterized by episodes of grand mal seizures and circling. Macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical studies revealed acute systemic CDV infection with acute encephalopathy. Virus isolation attempts using primary dog kidney cells, lung macrophages and Vero cells were negative. Therefore, the question whether the infection was the result of vaccination or natural infection remains open. The benefits and risks regarding the use of modified-live CDV vaccines and killed canine distemper vaccines in exotic carnivores are briefly discussed.     

Response of pups to modified-live canine parvovirus component in a combination vaccine

Twenty-eight pups from a general pet population were vaccinated for canine parvovirus (CPV) with a combination vaccine every 3 weeks until the pups were 11 to 16 weeks old. Canine parvovirus antibody titers were measured by serum neutralization before each vaccination and greater than or equal to 2 weeks after the final vaccination. Eighteen pups that initially were seronegative for CPV seroconverted after 1 to 3 doses of modified-live virus CPV vaccine administered when the pups were between 8 and 16 weeks old; 16 of 18 seroconverted after the 1st dose. Of 10 pups that were seropositive for CPV at initial examination, 7 did not develop protective titers after 3 doses of vaccine, with the last dose given when the pups were 14 to 16 weeks old. Maternally derived antibody was the primary cause of vaccination failure.     

Detection of IgM antibodies against a recombinant nucleocapsid protein of canine distemper virus in dog sera using a dot-blot assay

A dot-blot assay for the detection of IgM antibodies (ABs) against canine distemper virus (CDV) in canine serum is described. The diagnostic potential of this technique was evaluated by analysing sera from three test groups: (i) specific pathogen-free (SPF) beagle dogs experimentally infected with virulent CDV; (ii) SPF dogs immunized with a combined vaccine containing CDV, and (iii) SPF dogs immunized with a CDV-free vaccine. As antigen for the dot-blot assay we used the recombinant nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of the virulent A75/17 CDV strain. All 12 dogs of group 1, infected with virulent CDV, showed detectable CDV-specific IgM levels in their serum. All dogs of group 2 were also positive for anti-CDV IgM after the first immunization with the CDV-containing vaccine. The four dogs immunized with a CDV-free vaccine (group iii) remained negative throughout the course of the experiment. From these results, we conclude that the IgM detection test, which requires only a single serum sample, is a useful method for diagnosing current or recent CDV infection in CDV-infected or CDV-immunized dogs under experimental conditions.     

犬瘟热的诊断及其预防免疫的研究进展

本文对犬瘟热（CD）的诊断、预防免疫和免疫失败的影响因素及犬瘟热病毒（CDV）的宿主范围进行了综述。CDV不仅感染陆生食肉动物，而且也感染水生食肉动物，并且其宿主范围还在不断扩大。CDV感染主要采用病毒分离、特异性病毒抗原或特异性核酸检测等方法确诊。疫苗包括灭活的CDV疫苗、麻疹病毒（MV）异源苗及CDV弱毒活苗。疫苗接种犬的免疫反应主要取决于毒株特性及犬的应答能力，只有弱毒活苗能诱导产生持久而坚强的保护力。尽管多年来CDV弱毒活苗的使用控制了CD的发生，但最近免疫过的犬发生CD的病例并不少见。分析免疫失败的原因，主要是母源抗体干扰、疫苗质量差、其它病毒的免疫抑制以及CDV流行株可能发生了变异等因素的影响。     

Parvovirus-induced regression of canine transmissible venereal sarcoma

In 1981, during the worldwide canine parvovirus (PV) epizootic, canine transmissible venereal sarcomas growing in Beagles in a colony regressed earlier than expected after the dogs became infected with PV. Subsequent studies revealed that modified-live PV vaccine (feline panleukopenia virus) was capable of preventing tumor transplantation when the vaccine was inoculated simultaneously with the tumor in a site distant from the implantation site. However, the PV vaccine had no effect if it was inoculated 3 or 18 days after the tumor was transplanted.     

Time dependent decreases of maternal canine virus antibodies in newborn pups

Levels of passively transferred maternal antibodies to three canine viruses, rabies virus (RV), canine distemper virus (CDV) and infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) virus, in serum specimens from 14 fetal pups and in serial serum specimens collected up to 45 days after whelping from 14 neonate pups were compared with levels of antibodies to these viruses in milk and sera collected concurrently from their respective dams. Radioimmunoassays using RV-, CDV- and ICH virus-specific antigens showed that sera from all fetal pups had detectable levels of antibodies to all three canine viruses and ICH neutralising antibodies were detected in sera from 10 of the 14 fetal pups. As the time after whelping increased, titres of RV-, CDV- and ICH virus antibodies measured by radioimmunoassay and ICH virus neutralising antibody tests in serially collected specimens of milk from dams rapidly decreased, while titres of the antibodies in serum specimens from newborn pups in their litters steadily decreased. Individual fetal and newborn pups with a high titre of antibody to one virus also had high titres to the other two viruses, although a wide range of titres was observed among pups in each of the litters studied. Markedly higher titres of antibody to all three viruses were observed in serially collected specimens of sera from dams than in sera from fetal and newborn pups in their litters. Results show that maternal RV, CDV and ICH virus antibodies are transferred from dams to pups in utero and by nursing. Levels of these maternal virus-specific antibodies in newborn pup sera decreased at similar rates as time after whelping increased.     

一株水貂犬瘟热病毒的分离与鉴定

为寻找免疫失败的原因,有效防治犬瘟热的流行,对临床一水貂犬瘟热疑似病例,取其肝、脾、脑等组织研磨后接种Vero和BHK细胞分离病毒,并对分离毒株进行一系列鉴定。通过电镜观察,发现了大小约150 nm的副黏病毒样粒子。结果表明,分离株对鹅、鸡、小鼠、家兔、山羊、猪红细胞均无凝集性,该分离株的毒价TCID50为10-4.87;分离株病毒对乙醚、氯仿敏感,病毒的核酸型为RNA。经间接免疫荧光试验,接种病毒的BHK细胞出现特异性的亮绿色荧光。对分离株和对照毒株分别提取RNA进行RT-PCR扩增,最后得到与预期扩增片段(294 bp)相符的核酸电泳带,充分证明分离病毒为犬瘟热病毒。