Humoral immune response and assessment of vaccine virus shedding in calves receiving modified live virus vaccines containing bovine herpesvirus-1 and bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1a

Susceptible calves were administered modified live virus (MLV) vaccines containing bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV1) and bovine viral diarrhoea type 1 (BVDV1a) strains intramuscularly, with one vaccine containing both MLV and inactivated BHV-1 and inactivated BVDV1a. There was no evidence of transmission of vaccine (BHV-1 and BVDV1a) strains to susceptible non-vaccinated controls commingled with vaccinates. No vaccinates had detectable BHV-1 in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) after vaccination. Each of three vaccines containing an MLV BVDV1a strain caused a transient BVDV vaccine induced viremia in PBL after vaccination, which was cleared as the calves developed serum BVDV1 antibodies. The vaccine containing both MLV and inactivated BHV-1 induced serum BHV-1 antibodies more rapid than MLV BHV-1 vaccine. Two doses of MLV BHV-1 (days 0 and 28) in some cases induced serum BHV-1 antibodies to higher levels and greater duration than one dose.     

Humoral Immune Response and Assessment of Vaccine Virus Shedding in Calves Receiving Modified Live Virus Vaccines Containing Bovine Herpesvirus‐1 and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus 1a

Susceptible calves were administered modified live virus (MLV) vaccines containing bovine herpesvirus‐1 (BHV1) and bovine viral diarrhoea type 1 (BVDV1a) strains intramuscularly, with one vaccine containing both MLV and inactivated BHV‐1 and inactivated BVDV1a. There was no evidence of transmission of vaccine (BHV‐1 and BVDV1a) strains to susceptible non‐vaccinated controls commingled with vaccinates. No vaccinates had detectable BHV‐1 in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) after vaccination. Each of three vaccines containing an MLV BVDV1a strain caused a transient BVDV vaccine induced viremia in PBL after vaccination, which was cleared as the calves developed serum BVDV1 antibodies. The vaccine containing both MLV and inactivated BHV‐1 induced serum BHV‐1 antibodies more rapid than MLV BHV‐1 vaccine. Two doses of MLV BHV‐1 (days 0 and 28) in some cases induced serum BHV‐1 antibodies to higher levels and greater duration than one dose.     

The vaccination and challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) of calves previously infected with a non-cytopathic BVDV.

Four calves were infected with noncytopathic (NCP) New York-1 strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). During the observation period of one month the calves remained clinically normal but the virus was repeatedly recovered from their pharyngeal swabbings and blood. Thirty days following infection the four calves were vaccinated, together with two uninfected calves, with a modified-live vaccine containing cytopathic (CP) BVDV, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and parainfluenza-3 virus. No detrimental effects were observed after vaccination. Forty-three days after vaccination the calves were challenged by exposure either with the CP TVM-2 strain or the NCP New York-1 strain of BVDV. The vaccinated calves remained healthy throughout the 60-day observation period.     

Onset of immunity with Mycoplasma synoviae: comparison of the live attenuated vaccine MS-H (Vaxsafe MS) with its wild-type parent strain (86079/7NS)

The onset of protective immunity with MS-H was determined through experimental challenge and compared with the parent strain 86079/7NS. MS-H vaccinates and 86079/7NS inoculates were challenged at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 wk after vaccination, then examined 2 wk after challenge for signs of respiratory disease. Serologic results indicated that 100% of MS-H vaccinates had antibodies to MS by 3 wk after vaccination and 100% of 86079/7NS inoculates were positive by 2 wk after inoculation. From 3 wk after vaccination, MS-H vaccinates had a significantly lower incidence of air sac lesions and, from 4 wk after vaccination, a significantly lower air sac lesion severity. In 86079/7NS-inoculated birds, a significantly lower incidence of air sac lesions was observed from 1 wk after inoculation, and air sac lesion severity was significantly lower than the unvaccinated controls at 3 wk after inoculation. It would appear that, under the conditions of this experiment, protective immunity elicited by MS-H appeared at 4 wk after vaccination, slightly later than the appearance of serum antibody. Although the MS-H vaccine was slower to establish protective immunity than 86079/7NS, there was no significant difference between the two strains by 4 wk after vaccination or inoculation.     

Vaccination of calves with contaminated batches of bovine herpes virus 1 vaccines did not result in infection with bovine virus diarrhea virus

The aim of the experiment was to study whether bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) marker vaccine batches known to be contaminated with bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) type 1 could cause BVD in cattle. For this purpose, four groups of cattle were used. The first group (n = 4 calves, the positive control group), was vaccinated with vaccine from a batch contaminated with BVDV type 2. The second group (n = 4 calves, the negative control group), was vaccinated with vaccine from a batch that was not contaminated with BVDV. The third group (n = 39 calves), was vaccinated with a vaccine from one of four batches contaminated with BVDV type 1 (seronegative experimental group). The fourth group (n = 6 seropositive heifers), was vaccinated with a vaccine from one of three batches known to be contaminated with BVDV type 1. All cattle were vaccinated with an overdose of the BHV1 marker vaccine. At the start of the experiment, all calves except those from group 4 were seronegative for BVDV and BHV1. The calves from group 4 had antibodies against BVDV, were BVDV-free and seronegative to BHV1. After vaccination, the positive control calves became severely ill, had fever for several days, and BVDV was isolated from nasal swabs and white blood cells. In addition, these calves produced antibodies to BVDV and BHV1. No difference in clinical scores of the other groups was seen, nor were BVDV or BVDV-specific antibody responses detected in these calves; however, they did produce antibodies against BHV1. The remainder of each vaccine vial used was examined for the presence of infectious BVDV in cell culture. From none of the vials was BVDV isolated after three subsequent passages. This indicates that BVDV was either absent from the vials or was present in too low an amount to be isolated. Thus vaccination of calves with vaccines from BHV1 marker vaccine batches contaminated with BVDV type 1 did not result in BVDV infections.     

Evaluation of a modified live virus type-1a bovine viral diarrhea virus vaccine (Singer strain) against a type-2 (strain 890) challenge

Both type-1 and type-2 bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections are responsible for major losses in the cattle industry. However, several commercial BVDV vaccines contain only a type-1 strain. A vaccine trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of BVDV type-1 (Singer strain; BVDV-1) vaccine for protecting calves challenged with virulent BVDV type-2 (890 strain; BVDV-2). Thirty-eight BVDV-negative calves were randomly allocated to four groups. One group was treated with a modified live virus (MLV) BVDV-1 vaccine by i.m. injection and another group was treated with the same vaccine by s.c. injection. Two groups served as nonvaccinated controls (one i.m. and one s.c.). Twenty-eight days following vaccination, the calves were challenged with BVDV-2 and monitored for 21 days. Clinical scores and body temperatures of vaccinated calves were significantly (P<.05) lower than for controls on several days, and peak differences occurred 8 days after challenge. The control calves had significantly (P<.05) lower leukocyte counts 3 through 8 days after challenge; leukocyte counts for vaccinated animals did not decline significantly from prechallenge levels. There were no differences in protection between the i.m. and s.c. routes of vaccination. The study demonstrated satisfactory cross protection of the BVDV-1 vaccine against BVDV-2 challenge.     

Failure to spread bovine virus diarrhoea virus infection from primarily infected calves despite concurrent infection with bovine coronavirus

Previous reports on the spread of bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) from animals primarily infected with the agent are contradictory. In this study, the possibility of transmission of BVDV from calves simultaneously subjected to acute BVDV and bovine coronavirus (BCV) infection was investigated. Ten calves were inoculated intranasally with BVDV Type 1. Each of the 10 calves was then randomly allocated to one of two groups. In each group there were four additional calves, resulting in five infected and four susceptible calves per group. Virulent BCV was actively introduced in one of the groups by means of a transmitter calf. Two calves, susceptible to both BVDV and BCV, were kept in a separate group, as controls. All ten calves actively inoculated with BVDV became infected as shown by seroconversions, and six of them also shed the virus in nasal secretions. However, none of the other eight calves in the two groups (four in each) seroconverted to this agent. In contrast, it proved impossible to prevent the spread of BCV infection between the experimental groups and consequently all 20 study calves became infected with the virus. Following infection, BCV was detected in nasal secretions and in faeces of the calves and, after three weeks in the study, all had seroconverted to this virus. All calves, including the controls, showed at least one of the following clinical signs during days 3-15 after the trial started: fever (> or =40 degrees C), depressed general condition, diarrhoea, and cough. The study showed that BVDV primarily infected cattle, even when co-infected with an enteric and respiratory pathogen, are inefficient transmitters of BVDV. This finding supports the principle of the Scandinavian BVDV control programmes that elimination of BVDV infection from cattle populations can be achieved by identifying and removing persistently infected (PI) animals, i.e. that long-term circulation of the virus without the presence of PI animals is highly unlikely.     

Protection against fetal infection with either bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 or type 2 using a noncytopathic type 1 modified-live virus vaccine

Two bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) fetal protection studies were done using a monovalent noncytopathic (NCP) BVDV vaccine containing type 1 BVDV. In study 1, thirty-two fetuses (23 vaccinates and nine controls) were recovered following fetal challenge with the type 1a BJ strain. Twenty of twenty-three fetuses from the vaccinates were negative for BVDV type 1 while all of the controls (nine of nine) were infected. In study 2, twenty-two animals (14 vaccinates and eight controls) were challenged with the type 2 PA131 strain. Thirteen of the fourteen fetuses from the vaccinates were negative for BVDV type 2 while all of the nonvaccinated controls (eight of eight) were infected. These results indicate the efficacy of a monovalent NCP BVDV vaccine in providing excellent protection against either BVDV type 1 or 2 fetal infection.     

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) 1b: predominant BVDV subtype in calves with respiratory disease

The prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections was determined in 2 groups of stocker calves with acute respiratory disease. Both studies used calves assembled after purchase from auction markets by an order buyer and transported to feedyards, where they were held for approximately 30 d. In 1 study, the calves were mixed with fresh ranch calves from a single ranch. During the studies, at day 0 and at weekly intervals, blood was collected for viral antibody testing and virus isolation from peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs), and nasal swabs were taken for virus isolation. Samples from sick calves were also collected. Serum was tested for antibodies to bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), BVDV1a, 1b, and 2, parainfluenza 3 virus (PI3V), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). The lungs from the calves that died during the studies were examined histopathologically, and viral and bacterial isolation was performed on lung homogenates. BVDV was isolated from calves in both studies; the predominant biotype was noncytopathic (NCP). Differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleic acid sequencing showed the predominant subtype to be BVDV1b in both studies. In 1999, NCP BVDV1b was detected in numerous samples over time from 1 persistently infected calf; the calf did not seroconvert to BVDV1a or BVDV2. In both studies, BVDV was isolated from the serum, PBLs, and nasal swabs of the calves, and in the 1999 study, it was isolated from lung tissue at necropsy. BVDV was demonstrated serologically and by virus isolation to be a contributing factor in respiratory disease. It was isolated more frequently from sick calves than healthy calves, by both pen and total number of calves. BVDV1a and BVDV2 seroconversions were related to sickness in selected pens and total number of calves. In the 1999 study, BVDV-infected calves were treated longer than noninfected calves (5.643 vs 4.639 d; P = 0.0902). There was a limited number of BVDV1a isolates and, with BVDV1b used in the virus neutralization test for antibodies in seroconverting calves' serum, BVDV1b titers were higher than BVDV1a titers. This study indicates that BVDV1 strains are involved in acute respiratory disease of calves with pneumonic Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida disease. The BVDV2 antibodies may be due to cross-reactions, as typing of the BVDV strains revealed BVDV1b or 1a but not BVDV2. The BVDV1b subtype has considerable implications, as, with 1 exception, all vaccines licensed in the United States contain BVDV1a, a strain with different antigenic properties. BVDV1b potentially could infect BVDV1a-vaccinated calves.     

Transmission of Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1b to susceptible and vaccinated calves by exposure to persistently infected calves

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) persistently infected (PI) calves represent significant sources of infection to susceptible cattle. The objectives of this study were to determine if PI calves transmitted infection to vaccinated and unvaccinated calves, to determine if BVDV vaccine strains could be differentiated from the PI field strains by subtyping molecular techniques, and if there were different rates of recovery from peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) versus serums for acutely infected calves. Calves PI with BVDV1b were placed in pens with nonvaccinated and vaccinated calves for 35 d. Peripheral blood leukocytes, serums, and nasal swabs were collected for viral isolation and serology. In addition, transmission of Bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1), Parainfluenza-3 virus (PI-3V), and Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was monitored during the 35 d observation period. Bovine viral diarrhea virus subtype 1b was transmitted to both vaccinated and nonvaccinated calves, including BVDV1b seronegative and seropositive calves, after exposure to PI calves. There was evidence of transmission by viral isolation from PBL, nasal swabs, or both, and seroconversions to BVDV1b. For the unvaccinated calves, 83.2% seroconverted to BVDV1b. The high level of transmission by PI calves is illustrated by seroconversion rates of nonvaccinated calves in individual pens: 70% to 100% seroconversion to the BVDV1b. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from 45 out of 202 calves in this study. These included BVDV1b in ranch and order buyer (OB) calves, plus BVDV strains identified as vaccinal strains that were in modified live virus (MLV) vaccines given to half the OB calves 3 d prior to the study. The BVDV1b isolates in exposed calves were detected between collection days 7 and 21 after exposure to PI calves. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was recovered more frequently from PBL than serum in acutely infected calves. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was also isolated from the lungs of 2 of 7 calves that were dying with pulmonary lesions. Two of the calves dying with pneumonic lesions in the study had been BVDV1b viremic prior to death. Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1b was isolated from both calves that received the killed or MLV vaccines. There were cytopathic (CP) strains isolated from MLV vaccinated calves during the same time frame as the BVDV1b isolations. These viruses were typed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genetic sequencing, and most CP were confirmed as vaccinal origin. A BVDV2 NCP strain was found in only 1 OB calf, on multiple collections, and the calf seroconverted to BVDV2. This virus was not identical to the BVDV2 CP 296 vaccine strain. The use of subtyping is required to differentiate vaccinal strains from the field strains. This study detected 2 different vaccine strains, the BVDV1b in PI calves and infected contact calves, and a heterologous BVDV2 subtype brought in as an acutely infected calf. The MLV vaccination, with BVDV1a and BVDV2 components, administered 3 d prior to exposure to PI calves did not protect 100% against BVDV1b viremias or nasal shedding. There were other agents associated with the bovine respiratory disease signs and lesions in this study including Mannheimia haemolytica, Mycoplasma spp., PI-3V, BRSV, and BHV-1.     

A Controlled Field Study Using Live Virus Vaccines and an Antiserum in a Preconditioning Program

Thirty-five vaccinates and 29 control beef calves from five farms were studied. Vaccinates in group 1 received a modified live virus vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) 30 days after shipment; vaccinates in groups 2, 3 and 4 received live virus vaccines agains IBR and bovine parainfluenza 3 (PI3) seven to 17 days before shipment. Half of group 5 were given bovine origin antiserum containing antibodies against IBR, BVD and PI3. Three weeks later, the animals that had received serum were given a live modified vaccine containing IBR, BVD and PI3. In group 1, WBC counts were lower in the vaccinates than in the controls for two weeks after vaccination. WBC counts in groups 3 and 4 were higher in vaccinates than in controls after addition to the feedlot. Seroconversions to BVD virus occured in all groups. Clinical disease apparently due to BVD affected one vaccinated calf in group 2 and eight calves in group 5. Combined weight gains were significantly higher in three groups of calves vaccinated before shipment compared to unvaccinated control animals after addition to the feedlot. Vaccination with IBR and PI3 live virus vaccines should be given at least 17 days before shipment to feedlots containing infected cattle. Antiserum containing antibodies against the three viruses showed no apparent advantage in preventing clinical respiratory disease over control calves not receiving the serum.     

Prevalence of Pasteurella multocida and other respiratory pathogens in the nasal tract of Scottish calves

The prevalence of Pasteurella multocida, a cause of bovine respiratory disease, was studied in a random sample of beef suckler and dairy farms throughout Scotland, by means of a cross-sectional survey. A total of 637 calves from 68 farms from six geographical regions of Scotland were sampled between February and June 2008. Deep nasal swabs were taken, and samples that were culture-positive for P multocida were confirmed by PCR. Prevalence of P multocida was 17 per cent (105 of 616 calves); 47 per cent of farms had at least one positive animal. A higher prevalence was detected in dairy calves than beef calves (P=0.04). It was found that P multocida was associated with Mycoplasma-like organisms (P=0.06) and bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus (BPI-3) (P=0.04), detected by culture and quantitative PCR of nasal swabs, respectively. Detection of P multocida was not associated with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) or bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Mycoplasma-like organisms, BPI-3, BRSV, BoHV-1 and BVDV were detected in 58, 17, four, 0 and eight calves, on 25, five, two, 0 and five of the 68 farms, respectively.     

Induction of antigen-specific T-cell subset activation to bovine respiratory disease viruses by a modified-live virus vaccine

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a modified-live virus vaccine containing bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza virus 3, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) types 1 and 2 to induce neutralizing antibodies and cell-mediated immunity in na?ve cattle and protect against BHV-1 challenge. ANIMALS: 17 calves. PROCEDURES: 8 calves were mock-vaccinated with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control calves), and 9 calves were vaccinated at 15 to 16 weeks of age. All calves were challenged with BHV-1 25 weeks after vaccination. Neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responsiveness were tested on the day of vaccination and periodically after vaccination and BHV-1 challenge. Specific T-cell responses were evaluated by comparing CD25 upregulation and intracellular interferon-gamma expression by 5-color flow cytometry. Titration of BHV-1 in nasal secretions was performed daily after challenge. Results-Vaccinated calves seroconverted by week 4 after vaccination. Antigen-specific cell-mediated immune responses, by CD25 expression index, were significantly higher in vaccinated calves than control calves. Compared with control calves, antigen-specific interferon-gamma expression was significantly higher in calves during weeks 4 to 8 after vaccination, declining by week 24. After BHV-1 challenge, both neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses of vaccinated calves had anamnestic responses to BHV-1. Vaccinated calves shed virus in nasal secretions at significantly lower titers for a shorter period and had significantly lower rectal temperatures than control calves. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A single dose of vaccine effectively induced humoral and cellular immune responses against BHV-1, BRSV, and BVDV types 1 and 2 and protected calves after BHV-1 challenge for 6 months after vaccination.     

Aerosol vaccination of calves with pasteurella haemolytica against experimental respiratory disease.

Three experiments were conducted on calves in which the efficacy of vaccination with live Pasteurella haemolytica in aerosol was tested by challenge with sequential aerosol exposure to bovine herpesvirus 1 and P. haemolytica. Neither single nor multiple aerosol vaccinations protected against the experimental disease. Macroscopically recognizable rhinitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis and pneumonia occurred in both controls and vaccinates. In one experiment as many as three aerosol vaccinations with live P. haemolytica for up to 20 minutes failed to elicit clinical signs in exposed calves. Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated less frequently from tissues of vaccinated calves than from those of nonvaccinated calves. Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated from deep nasal swabs of 4/14 vaccinated calves five and six days after viral exposure. It was concluded that although bovine herpesvirus 1 vaccination has been shown previously to prevent the experimental disease produced by bovine herpesvirus 1-P. haemolytica, live P. haemolytica vaccination by aerosol will not provide the same protection.     

Antibody responses against non-structural protein 3 of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in milk and serum samples from animals immunised with an inactivated vaccine

Antibodies against non-structural protein 3 (NS3, p80) of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) were determined in milk from cows vaccinated with an inactivated BVDV vaccine and compared to serum antibody levels. Animals in one herd were vaccinated with an inactivated BVDV vaccine according to the standard protocol and animals from a second herd with an intensive schedule. Serum and milk samples were tested for BVDV NS3 antibodies using five commercial ELISAs. With a few exceptions, vaccination according to the standard schedule did not induce BVDV NS3-specific antibodies in serum or milk. However, after vaccination according to the intensive schedule, anti-NS3 antibodies were detected for a short time in serum and, to a lesser extent, in milk. Bulk milk was a suitable substrate for BVDV monitoring of herds vaccinated with the inactivated BVD vaccine.     

The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) NS3 protein, when expressed alone in mammalian cells, induces apoptosis which correlates with caspase-8 and caspase-9 activation

The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strains exist as two biotypes, cytopathic (cp) and noncytopathic (ncp), according to their effects on tissue culture cells. It has been previously reported that cell death associated to cp BVDV in vitro is mediated by apoptosis. Here, experiments were conducted to determine the involvement of the NS3 protein in the induction of apoptosis. The NS3- and NS3Delta50 (deleted from the NH2-terminal 50 amino acids)-cDNA encoding sequences of BVDV NADL cp reference strain were cloned into adenoviral vectors (AdV) from which the BVDV gene of interest could be expressed from a tetracycline-responsive promoter. A549tTA cells infected in vitro with NS3 or NS3Delta50-expressing AdV showed cytopathic changes characterized by cell rounding and detachment, and nucleus chromatin condensation. DNA fragmentation assays, cytochrome c release, and activation of cellular caspases performed on these infected cells clearly correlated with the observed cytopathic changes with apoptosis. The BVDV NS3Delta50-induced apoptotic process was inhibited by caspase-8- and -9-specific peptide inhibitors (Z-IETD-FMK and Z-LEHD-FMK). Furthermore, apoptosis was inhibited in cells expressing the R1 subunit of herpes simplex virus type 2 ribonucleotide reductase (HSV2-R1) or hsp70, two proteins which are known to inhibit apoptosis associated with caspase-8 activation and cytochrome c release-dependent caspase-9 activation, respectively. Given that HSV2-R1, a specific inhibitor of the caspase-8 activation pathway, efficiently suppressed apoptosis and also prevented caspase-9 activation, the overall results indicate that the BVDV NS3/NS3Delta50 induces apoptosis initiated by caspase-8 activation and subsequent cytochrome c release-dependent caspase-9 activation.     

Comparative serological response in calves to eight commercial vaccines against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza-3, bovine respiratory syncytial, and bovine viral diarrhea viruses

A field trial was conducted to compare the serological responses in calves to eight commercial vaccines against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV), parainfluenza-3 virus (PI3V), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and/or bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Calves given IBRV, P13V, BRSV, and BVDV vaccines had significantly higher antibodies to these viruses than unvaccinated controls; however, serological responses to killed BVDV vaccines were low. Calves with preexisting antibodies to IBRV, PI3V, BRSV, and the Singer strain of BVDV had lower seroconversion rates following vaccination than calves that were seronegative initially.

Serological responses in calves to IBRV, PI3V, BRSV, and BVDV differed among various commercial vaccines. Antibody titers to IBRV were higher in calves vaccinated with modified-live IBRV vaccines than in those vaccinated with killed IBRV vaccines. Following double vaccination with modified-live IBRV and PI3V vaccines, seroconversion rates and antibody titers to IBRV and PI3V were higher in calves vaccinated intramuscularly than in those vaccinated intranasally. Calves given Cattlemaster 4 had significantly higher titers to BRSV and PI3V, and lower titers to BVDV, than calves given Cattlemaster 3, suggesting that the addition of BRSV to Cattlemaster 4 caused some interaction among antigens.

     

Efficacy of a modified live intranasal bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in 3-week-old calves experimentally challenged with BRSV

Two experimental bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) challenge studies were undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a single intranasal dose of a bivalent modified live vaccine containing BRSV in 3-week-old calves. In the first study, vaccine efficacy was evaluated in colostrum deprived (maternal antibody negative) calves 5, 10 and 21 days after vaccination. Nasal shedding of BRSV was significantly reduced in vaccinated calves challenged 10 or 21 days after vaccination. Virus excretion titres were also reduced in vaccinates challenged 5 days after vaccination but reduction in duration of shedding and total amount of virus shed were not statistically significant. Clinical disease after challenge in this study was mild. In the second study, vaccine efficacy was assessed in calves with maternal antibodies against BRSV by challenge 66 days post-vaccination. Vaccination significantly reduced nasal shedding after challenge and the severity of clinical disease was also reduced.     

Duration of immunity with Mycoplasma synoviae: comparison of the live attenuated vaccine MS-H (Vaxsafe MS) with its wild-type parent strain, 86079/7NS

The duration of protective immunity elicited by the MS-H vaccine was evaluated by experimental challenge of chickens at 15 and 40 wk after eyedrop vaccination. Immunity induced by the parent strain of the vaccine, 86079/7NS, was also investigated for comparison. A serological response to Mycoplasma synoviae was detected in 89% to 100% of MS-H vaccinates and 86079/7NS inoculates at 15, 27, 30, 35, and 40 wk after inoculation. A significantly lower incidence of air-sac lesions and lower air-sac lesion severity were observed in both the MS-H vaccinated and the 86079/7NS inoculated groups, as compared to the unvaccinated controls, after both challenge points. Tracheal mucosal thicknesses in MS-H vaccinates was significantly lower in the upper, lower, and total trachea at 40 wk after vaccination, as compared to the controls. It was demonstrated in this experiment that protective immunity, as determined by protection against experimental challenge, was maintained to at least 40 wk after vaccination.