ARS | Publication request: Safety and Immunogenicity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis {Delta}lysA {Delta}panCD Vaccine in Domestic Cats Infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Submitted to: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 7, 2009
Publication Date: March 1, 2009
Citation: Zimmerman, D., Waters, W.R., Lyashchenko, K.P., Nonnecke, B.J., Armstrong, D.L., Jacobs, Jr., W.R., Larsen, M.H., Egan, E., Dean, G.A. 2009. Safety and Immunogenicity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis {Delta}lysA {Delta}panCD Vaccine in Domestic Cats Infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. 16(3):427-429.

Interpretive Summary: A high percentage of lions in Africa are infected with bovine tuberculosis and many of these lions are co-infected with an immunodeficiency virus. Prior to testing in lions, domestic cats were used as a feline model to test the immunogenicity and safety of a candidate vaccine. Four cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus and four non-infected cats were vaccinated with an attenuated live tuberculosis vaccine. Adverse reactions were not detected and all cats had an immune response to the vaccine, although a lower response was detected for immunodeficiency infected cats. These findings demonstrate the potential for use of an attenuated live tuberculosis vaccine in lions.

Technical Abstract: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)+ and FIV- cats (n = 4/group) received 2 x 10**6 cfu Mycobacterium tuberculosis Delta-lysA Delta-panCD intramuscularly. Vaccination elicited antibody responses; albeit, at lower levels in FIV+ cats as compared to FIV- cats. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses were minimal in both groups. No adverse reactions were found.