Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strains

Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a leading cause of feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), which mainly presents upper respiratory tract symptoms. Vaccination is the most effective strategy for controlling FHV-1. Prior to the initiation of this study, China does not have domestically produced commercial...

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Main Authors: Yujie Jiang, Zhiying Lai, Lingling Dai, Yuan Deng, Lintao Zhong, Shoujun Li, Gang Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1571409/full
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author Yujie Jiang
Zhiying Lai
Lingling Dai
Yuan Deng
Lintao Zhong
Shoujun Li
Gang Lu
author_facet Yujie Jiang
Zhiying Lai
Lingling Dai
Yuan Deng
Lintao Zhong
Shoujun Li
Gang Lu
author_sort Yujie Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a leading cause of feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), which mainly presents upper respiratory tract symptoms. Vaccination is the most effective strategy for controlling FHV-1. Prior to the initiation of this study, China does not have domestically produced commercially available FHV-1 vaccines using field strain as antigenic component and most corresponding imported vaccines contained feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) antigens. However, the protective efficacy of these vaccines against the prevalent FHV-1 strains in China remains unclear. In the present study, a total of 12 cats were randomly divided into 3 groups, which were vaccinated with FHV-1 field vaccine (Group 1 [an inactivated vaccine developed by ourselves using the Chinese field strain FHV-1 2020GD02]) and FVRCP vaccine (Group 2) and PBS (Group 3) as control, respectively. These animals received two vaccinations with a 21-day interval and were challenged with 2020GD02 at 21 days after the second vaccination. Clinical signs, serological responses, viral shedding, and histopathological changes were used to estimate protective efficacy of the two vaccines. Compared to Group 2, animals in Group 1 produced higher level FHV-1 antibody titers during immune processes. After challenge, Group 3 developed typical FVR. In contrast, animals in both Groups 1 and 2 showed significantly fewer clinical signs, viral shedding, and pathological changes, but could not provide complete protection. Our results provided a reference for further FHV-1 vaccines development in China.
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spelling doaj-art-7e932bd51c684fcabe2a8a5e7325fcc92025-08-20T02:18:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-04-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15714091571409Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strainsYujie JiangZhiying LaiLingling DaiYuan DengLintao ZhongShoujun LiGang LuFeline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a leading cause of feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), which mainly presents upper respiratory tract symptoms. Vaccination is the most effective strategy for controlling FHV-1. Prior to the initiation of this study, China does not have domestically produced commercially available FHV-1 vaccines using field strain as antigenic component and most corresponding imported vaccines contained feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) antigens. However, the protective efficacy of these vaccines against the prevalent FHV-1 strains in China remains unclear. In the present study, a total of 12 cats were randomly divided into 3 groups, which were vaccinated with FHV-1 field vaccine (Group 1 [an inactivated vaccine developed by ourselves using the Chinese field strain FHV-1 2020GD02]) and FVRCP vaccine (Group 2) and PBS (Group 3) as control, respectively. These animals received two vaccinations with a 21-day interval and were challenged with 2020GD02 at 21 days after the second vaccination. Clinical signs, serological responses, viral shedding, and histopathological changes were used to estimate protective efficacy of the two vaccines. Compared to Group 2, animals in Group 1 produced higher level FHV-1 antibody titers during immune processes. After challenge, Group 3 developed typical FVR. In contrast, animals in both Groups 1 and 2 showed significantly fewer clinical signs, viral shedding, and pathological changes, but could not provide complete protection. Our results provided a reference for further FHV-1 vaccines development in China.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1571409/fullfeline herpesvirus type 1vaccineimmunogenicityinfectious diseasefeline viral rhinotracheitis
spellingShingle Yujie Jiang
Zhiying Lai
Lingling Dai
Yuan Deng
Lintao Zhong
Shoujun Li
Gang Lu
Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strains
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
feline herpesvirus type 1
vaccine
immunogenicity
infectious disease
feline viral rhinotracheitis
title Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strains
title_full Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strains
title_fullStr Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strains
title_full_unstemmed Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strains
title_short Protective efficacy of inactivated FHV-1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the Chinese field strains
title_sort protective efficacy of inactivated fhv 1 vaccine in cats following challenge with the chinese field strains
topic feline herpesvirus type 1
vaccine
immunogenicity
infectious disease
feline viral rhinotracheitis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1571409/full
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