Vennema H, de Groot R J, Harbour D A, Dalderup M, Gruffydd-Jones T, Horzinek M C, Spaan W J
Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 1990;276:217-22. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4684-5823-7_30.
The gene encoding the fusogenic spike protein of the coronavirus causing feline infectious peritonitis (FIPV) was recombined into the genome of vaccinia virus, strain WR. The recombinant induced spike protein specific, in vitro neutralizing antibodies in mice. When kittens were immunized with the recombinant, low titers of neutralizing antibodies were obtained. After challenge with FIPV, these animals succumbed earlier than the vWR-immunized control group ("early death syndrome").