2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

A total of 12 female and 13 male, 12-week-old purpose-bred kittens that were negative for FHV-1 antibodies in serum and for FHV-1 DNA in cells collected from the oropharynx by swab were divided into three groups housed in three separate rooms. Thirteen kittens were randomized into Group A (n = 7; prevention) or Group B (n = 6; treatment). The 12 kittens assigned to Group C served as untreated controls. Group A was administered Muco-sImmune (0.2 mL each nostril, 0.6 mL into the oropharynx) 24 hours prior to FHV-1 inoculation. On Day 0, all kittens were sedated and administered 10 5.3 TCID 50 of FHV-1 divided between the nares and oropharynx. Group B kittens were administered one dose of MucosImmune the first day that clinical signs were noted with a second dose administered 24 hours later. Two trained, masked observers applied a standardized clinical scoring system detailing ocular and respiratory clinical signs to each room for 30 minutes each day for a total of 28 days. Mucosal cells were collected from the caudal pharynx of each kitten from Groups A and C on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28, and from each kitten from Group B after clinical signs were recognized but prior to the first MucosImmune dose, 7, 14, and 21 days after the first treatment, and then on Day 28 after FHV-1 inoculation. Total DNA was extracted from the oropharyngeal swabs, and quantitative PCR assays were performed for FHV-1 DNA and GAPDH with results presented and compared amongst groups as a ratio. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparisons amongst groups within the time periods Days 1 to 14, Days 15 to 28, and Days 1 to 28. Time to resolution of illness (total score ≤ 1) was also compared amongst groups.