Serological responses of adult dogs to revaccination against distemper, parvovirus and rabies

Abstract

Serum antibody titres to canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and rabies were measured in dogs that had not been revaccinated annually and compared with the titres in a control group of regularly vaccinated animals; 83 per cent (171 of 207) of the dogs vaccinated against CDV one or more years earlier had serum neutralising antibody titres equal to or greater than 16; 64 per cent (136 of 213) of the dogs vaccinated against CPV one or more years earlier had haemagglutination inhibiting titres equal to or greater than 80; and 59 per cent (46 of 78) of the dogs vaccinated against rabies two or more years earlier had serum neutralising antibody titres equal to or greater than 0.5 iu/ml. Three weeks after a single booster vaccination the dogs' antibody titres against CDV had increased above the threshold level in 94 per cent of the dogs, against CPV in 68 per cent, and against rabies in 100 per cent.

Duration of serological response to canine parvovirus‐type 2, canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1 and canine parainfluenza virus in client‐owned dogs inAustralia

“…33,34 As measurement of memory cells is not practical, based on this theory, it has been suggested that the ability to detect any antibody titre in a previously vaccinated and actively immune animal demonstrates that memory effector B cells are present and functional, and that this correlates with protective immunity. 11,19,20,[23][24][25] The general consensus from these studies is that MLV vaccination against the core canine viral diseases generally confers reliable multi-year protection. 12,28,35 Additionally, it has been advised that testing for antibody status is a better practice than simply administering a vaccine booster on the basis that this should be safe and costs less.…”

“…The antibody titre data generated from this study are similar to those generated in similar studies performed elsewhere. 11,19,20,[23][24][25] The general consensus from these studies is that MLV vaccination against the core canine viral diseases generally confers reliable multi-year protection. Additionally, since 2003 the recommendation of vaccination guidelines groups has been that the DOI induced by MLV core canine vaccines is beyond 12 months and that revaccination with these vaccines should not occur more frequently that every 3 years.…”

“…16 There is a growing body of evidence that supports the concept that canine (and feline) MLV vaccines induce immunity well beyond 12 months [8][9][10][11][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] and consequently the regulatory environment regarding the DOI of veterinary vaccines is changing. Vaccination guidelines complement the information contained in the product information leaflet for vaccines.…”

“…In the meantime, vaccine guidelines serve as a bridge between unofficial and official recommendations for vaccine use. 16 There is a growing body of evidence that supports the concept that canine (and feline) MLV vaccines induce immunity well beyond 12 months [8][9][10][11][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] and consequently the regulatory environment regarding the DOI of veterinary vaccines is changing. Serological studies are used commonly to provide evidence of DOI for the registration and monitoring of human vaccines 6 and are now becoming more accepted by veterinary regulatory agencies as a means of determining DOI.…”

Serology — What is it and how can it be used in canine vaccination?

“…Results can only demonstrate antibody titres at that one particular moment in time 15 . It is currently impossible to predict antibody titres for any forthcoming period for the individual animal, although one study found no significant antibody decrease over time 16 …”