RACCOON POXVIRUS LIVE RECOMBINANT FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA VIRUS VP2 AND RABIES VIRUS GLYCOPROTEIN BIVALENT VACCINE

A raccoon poxvirus (RCNV) recombinant for immunizing against feline pa nleukopenia and rabies was developed by homologous recombination with a chimeric plasmid for insertional inactivation of the RCNV thymidine kinase gene. The recombinant, RCN-FPV/VP2-rabG, coexpressed the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) VP2 protein and the rabies virus spike glyc oprotein (rabG) under oppositely oriented vaccinia virus P11 promoters . Cats vaccinated subcutaneously with the recombinant showed relativel y high neutralizing antibody responses against rabies virus and FPV, a nd protection against an otherwise virulent FPV challenge with no drop in white blood cell count. Because of containment constraints, no rab ies virus challenges were done, but the high concentrations (> 8 IU) o f rabies neutralizing antibodies were consistent with levels that usua lly indicate an ability to counter the infection. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd.