Infection and Immunization of Cats with the Kawakami-Theilen Strain of Feline Leukemia Virus

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Abstract
Injection of high doses of KT-FeLV [Kawakami-Theilen strain] feline leukemia virus produced viremia and leukemia in a portion of 1-2 day old kittens but not in 17-24 wk old animals. Contact of susceptible cats with infected cagemates did not result in viremia or disease. Development of cytotoxic antibody was coordinated with protection against viremia and disease in kittens challenged with FeLV virus. The rapid evolution of resistance to KT-FeLV virus precluded the development of a practical means for conventional vaccination and challenge experiments in cats. Killed vaccine given to pregnant queens did afford protection against FeLV virus on challenge in the progeny.