Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Oral vaccine using Lactobacillus plantarum to prevent feline
By Li, Jiakang et al.·Published in Veterinary microbiology·2024·Huazhong Agricultural University, China·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Development of a recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum oral vaccine expressing VP2 protein for preventing feline panleukopenia virus.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Kittens are at high risk for a serious illness called feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), which can be life-threatening. Traditional vaccines require injections that can stress young cats, so researchers developed a new oral vaccine using a specific strain of bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum) that helps protect against FPV. After giving this oral vaccine to kittens for 30 days, they showed strong immune responses and were significantly protected from FPV infections. This new method could make vaccinating kittens easier and less stressful, helping to keep them healthy.
People also search for: kitten vaccine options · feline panleukopenia prevention · oral vaccine for cats · safe vaccines for kittens
Abstract
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) represents a significant health threat to the kittens. While traditional vaccines administered via subcutaneous or intramuscular injection are effective, they can induce stress and adverse reactions. Moreover, unvaccinated kittens visiting veterinary clinics risk exposure to FPV, increasing their susceptibility to infection. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a safer, more gentle vaccination method with streamlined administration. In this study, we developed a recombinant L. plantarum NC8/VP2 expressing the VP2 protein of the prevalent Chinese FPV strain, FPV-251. Our results show that L. plantarum NC8/VP2 effectively colonizes the feline intestinal tract and induces high levels of neutralizing antibodies through oral administration. Kittens exhibited significant protection against FPV-251 infection and associated illnesses or fatalities after 30 days of continuous dosing. These results highlight the potential of recombinant L. plantarum NC8/VP2 as a novel oral vaccine for FPV, presenting a promising approach for disease prevention in domestic cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39321672/