Efficacy of an intranasal modified live bovine respiratory syncytial virus and temperature-sensitive parainfluenza type 3 virus vaccine in 3-week-old calves experimentally challenged with PI3V

Two experimental parainfluenza type 3 virus (PI3V) challenge studies were undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a single intranasal dose of an attenuated live vaccine containing modified live bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and temperature-sensitive PI3V in 3-week-old calves. In the first study, vaccine efficacy was evaluated in colostrum deprived calves. Nasal shedding of PI3V was highly significantly reduced in vaccinated calves challenged 10 days or 21 days after vaccination. In the second study, vaccine efficacy was assessed in calves with maternal antibodies against PI3V by challenge 66 days post-vaccination. Vaccination also significantly reduced PI3V excretion after challenge in this study. In both studies, clinical signs after challenge were very mild and were not different between vaccinated and control calves.     

Studies on the efficacy of intranasal vaccination for the prevention of experimentally induced parainfluenza type 3 virus pneumonia in calves.

The efficacy of intranasal vaccination in preventing or limiting disease of the lower respiratory tract induced by parainfluenza 3 (PI3) virus was evaluated under experimental conditions, using a commercially available live vaccine containing a temperature-sensitive strain of PI3 virus. In a preliminary study four colostrum-deprived calves were vaccinated intranasally at one week and again at two months of age, and two similar calves were given an intranasal placebo. After the second vaccination serum antibodies to PI3 virus were detected in all four vaccinated calves, but not in the control animals. Seventeen days after the second vaccination all six calves were challenged with virulent PI3 virus, and they were killed six days later. The clinical scores and the extent of pulmonary consolidation were reduced in the vaccinated animals; PI3 virus was detected in the upper and lower respiratory tract of the control calves but in none of the vaccinated calves. In a larger scale study with 14 colostrum-fed calves, seven were vaccinated at one week and again at five weeks of age, and seven were given an intranasal placebo. Two weeks after the second vaccination all 14 calves were challenged with virulent PI3 virus. The clinical scores and lung consolidation were significantly reduced in the vaccinated calves in comparison with the controls. Six days after infection, 10 of the 14 calves were killed; PI3 virus was detectable in the nasal secretions of all seven control calves but in only one of the vaccinated animals, and PI3 viral antigen was detected in the lungs of the control calves but not in those of the vaccinated animals. One of the vaccinated calves had developed a severe clinical response after the challenge, but it had only minor lung consolidation when killed.     

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.     

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.     

Evaluation of protection against virulent bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 in calves that had maternal antibodies and were vaccinated with a modified-live vaccine

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of an adjuvanted modified-live bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccine against challenge with a virulent type 2 BVDV strain in calves with or without maternal antibodies against the virus. DESIGN: Challenge study. ANIMALS: 23 crossbred dairy calves. PROCEDURES: Calves were fed colostrum containing antibodies against BVDV or colostrum without anti-BVDV antibodies within 6 hours of birth and again 8 to 12 hours after the first feeding. Calves were vaccinated with a commercial modified-live virus combination vaccine or a sham vaccine at approximately 5 weeks of age and challenged with virulent type 2 BVDV 3.5 months after vaccination. Clinical signs of BVDV infection, development of viremia, and variation in WBC counts were recorded for 14 days after challenge exposure. RESULTS: Calves that received colostrum free of anti-BVDV antibodies and were vaccinated with the sham vaccine developed severe disease (4 of the 7 calves died or were euthanatized). Calves that received colostrum free of anti-BVDV antibodies and were vaccinated and calves that received colostrum with anti-BVDV antibodies and were vaccinated developed only mild or no clinical signs of disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that the modified-live virus vaccine induced a strong protective immune response in young calves, even when plasma concentrations of maternal antibody were high. In addition, all vaccinated calves were protected against viral shedding, whereas control calves vaccinated with the sham vaccine shed virus for an extended period of time.     

The effect of dose, route and virulence of bovine herpesvirus 1 vaccine on experimental respiratory disease in cattle.

Three experiments were conducted with calves in which, following intramuscular or intranasal vaccination with virulent or attenuated bovine herpesvirus 1, calves were protected against bovine herpesvirus 1 -- Pasteurella haemolytica challenge. Calves receiving low doses of vaccine had lower levels of antibody and greater evidence of virus replication upon challenge than those receiving higher doses. In contrast 11/13 unvaccinated controls had fibrino-purulent pneumonia following challenge. The immune response developed later in younger calves and those given low doses of vaccine. Neutralizing antibodies to bovine herpes-virus 1 were not found in nasal secretions, but were present in serum seven days after vaccination. Bovine herpesvirus 1 was isolated before challenge from nasal secretions of calves vaccinated intranasally or intramuscularly with virulent virus but not those vaccinated intramuscularly with vaccine virus. It was concluded that both routes of vaccination with either virulent or attenuated bovine herpesvirus 1 provided protection from challenge with homologous or heterologous bovine herpesvirus 1 and that live vaccines should contain at least 10(3) plaque forming units/dose for effective immunization.     

Inhibition of priming for bovine respiratory syncytial virus-specific protective immune responses following parenteral vaccination of passively immune calves

The effect of maternal antibodies (MatAb) on immunological priming by neonatal parenteral vaccination for bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was addressed for the first time in experimental infection in 34 Holstein calves. Both vaccinated and control calves developed moderate to severe respiratory disease characteristic of acute BRSV infection. There were no differences in clinical signs, BRSV shed, arterial oxygen concentrations, or mortality between vaccinated and control calves after BRSV challenge approximately 11 wk after vaccination. There were no anamnestic antibody or cytokine responses in the vaccinates after challenge. Lung lesions were extensive in both groups, and although there was a statistically significant (P = 0.05) difference between groups, this difference was considered not biologically significant. These data indicate that stimulation of protective immune responses was inhibited by maternal antibodies when a combination modified-live BRSV vaccine was administered parenterally to young passively immune calves. Alternate routes of administration or different vaccine formulations should be used to successfully immunize young calves with good passive antibody transfer.     

Efficacy of an inactivated respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in calves.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine would protect calves from infection with virulent BRSV. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 27 nine-week-old calves seronegative for BRSV exposure. PROCEDURE: Group-1 calves (n = 9) were not vaccinated. Group-2 calves (n = 9) were vaccinated on days 0 and 21 with an inactivated BRSV vaccine containing a minimum immunizing dose of antigen. Group-3 calves (n = 9) were vaccinated on days 0 and 21 with an inactivated BRSV vaccine containing an amount of antigen similar to that in a commercial vaccine. All calves were challenged with virulent BRSV on day 42. Clinical signs and immune responses were monitored for 8 days after challenge. Calves were euthanatized on day 50, and lungs were examined for lesions. RESULTS: Vaccination elicited increases in BRSV-specific IgG and virus neutralizing antibody titers and in production of interferon-gamma. Virus neutralizing antibody titers were consistently less than IgG titers. Challenge with BRSV resulted in severe respiratory tract disease and extensive pulmonary lesions in control calves, whereas vaccinated calves had less severe signs of clinical disease and less extensive pulmonary lesions. The percentage of vaccinated calves that shed virus in nasal secretions was significantly lower than the percentage of control calves that did, and peak viral titer was lower for vaccinated than for control calves. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the inactivated BRSV vaccine provided clinical protection from experimental infection with virulent virus and decreased the severity of pulmonary lesions. Efficacy was similar to that reported for modified-live BRSV vaccines.     

Efficacy of a saponin-adjuvanted inactivated respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in calves

The objective of this study was to determine whether a commercially available, saponin-adjuvanted, inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine would protect calves from experimental infection with virulent BRSV. This was a randomized controlled trial comprising 14, 8- to 9-week-old calves seronegative for BRSV Group 1 calves (n = 8) were not vaccinated and group 2 calves (n = 6) were vaccinated on days 0 and 19 with an inactivated BRSV vaccine. All calves were challenged with virulent BRSV on day 46. Clinical signs, arterial PO2, and immune responses were monitored after challenge. Calves were euthanatized on day 54 (8 d after challenge) and lungs were examined for lesions. Vaccination elicited increases in BRSV-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G and virus neutralizing antibody titers. Challenge with BRSV resulted in severe respiratory tract disease and extensive pulmonary lesions in control calves, but no signs of clinical disease and minimal or no pulmonary lesions in vaccinated calves. Arterial blood oxygen values on day 53 (7 d after challenge) in control calves were significantly lower than those in vaccinated calves, which remained within normal limits. Control calves shed BRSV for several days after challenge, whereas BRSV was not detected on deep nasal swabs from vaccinated calves. In summary, the results indicated that this inactivated BRSV vaccine provided clinical protection from experimental infection with virulent virus 27 d after vaccination and significantly decreased the prevalence and severity of pulmonary lesions. Efficacy was similar to that reported for other commercial inactivated and modified-live BRSV vaccines.     

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.     

Field trials on a live bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in calves.

Field trials were carried out in calves using a live bovine respiratory syncytial (BRS) virus vaccine prepared from the attenuated BRS virus, strain rs-52. Two hundred seventy-five and 353 calves were vaccinated intranasally and intramuscularly, respectively. No undesirable postvaccinal reactions were observed in the vaccinated calves. Of the serum neutralizing (SN) antibody negative calves 89.7% (26/29) and 92.8% (90/97) developed SN antibody 1 month after intranasal and intramuscular vaccination, respectively. Most of the calves having SN antibody titers of 1:1 or 1:2 at the time of vaccination showed a significant increase in SN antibody titer. About 70% and 90% of the calves vaccinated intranasally and intramuscularly, respectively, maintained SN antibody for 6 months after vaccination. In a field trial, a natural BRS virus infection occurred about 5 months after the start of the trial. Ten of the 16 unvaccinated control calves showed respiratory symptoms due to BRS virus infection. On the contrary, all of the 68 vaccinated calves exhibited no symptoms at all, indicating efficacy of the vaccine.     

Prevention of persistent infection in calves by vaccination of dams with noncytopathic type-1 modified-live bovine viral diarrhea virus prior to breeding

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of a modified-live virus (MLV) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) type 1 (BVDV1) vaccine administered to heifers prior to breeding to stimulate protective immunity that would block transmission of virulent heterologous BVDV during gestation, thus preventing persistent infection of a fetus. ANIMAL: 40 crossbred Angus heifers that were 15 to 18 months old and seronegative for BVDV and 36 calves born to those heifers. PROCEDURE: Heifers were randomly assigned to control (n = 13) or vaccinated (27) groups. The control group was administered a multivalent vaccine where-in the BVDV component had been omitted. The vaccinated heifers were administered a single dose of vaccine (IM or SC) containing MLV BVDV1 (WRL strain). All vaccinated and control heifers were maintained in pastures and exposed to BVDV-negative bulls 21 days later. Thirty-five heifers were confirmed pregnant and were challenge exposed at 55 to 100 days of gestation by IV administration of virulent BVDV1 (7443 strain). RESULTS: All control heifers were viremic following challenge exposure, and calves born to control heifers were persistently infected with BVDV. Viremia was not detected in the vaccinated heifers, and 92% of calves born to vaccinated heifers were not persistently infected with BVDV. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results document that vaccination with BVDV1 strain WRL protects fetuses from infection with heterologous virulent BVDV1.     

Immunogenicity of a soluble antigen against Pasteurella haemolytica-associated pneumonia in calves

Three experiments were performed to evaluate the immunogenic potency of a soluble fraction of Pasteurella haemolytica against pneumonic pasteurellosis in calves. A soluble antigen was extracted by a 2.5% saline solution from P. haemolytica. Weaned Holstein bull calves, seronegative for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus ( IBRV ) and the pasteurella antigen, were vaccinated either by repeated subcutaneous (SC) vaccination, or by exposure 3 times to the aerosol of P. haemolytica antigen. Challenge exposure to aerosol of P. haemolytica was preceded by infection with IBRV , or in experiments 2 and 3, the virus exposures were combined with a stress treatment. The lung lesions were examined at necropsy 3 to 8 days post infection. In the first experiment, all the vaccinated calves produced specific antibody response to the pasteurella antigen, and none of the calves including controls showed significant lesions in the lung. In the second experiment 2 aerogenically vaccinated calves had no lesions. One of the two SC-vaccinated calves had mild consolidated lesions. Two control calves, one of which died 3 days following the challenge, developed severe fibrinous pneumonia with consolidation of 50% or more of the lung surfaces. P. haemolytica was isolated only from the 2 control animals. In the third experiment, 2 of the 3 control calves developed moderate to severe consolidation, but P. haemolytica was isolated only from one of them. Two of the three aerosol-vaccinated calves also developed significant lesions and one of them yielded the bacteria from the lung. Three SC-vaccinated calves had slight lesions and the organism was not isolated from their lungs. The results did not consistently indicate an immunogenic potential of the soluble antigen against P. haemolytica-related pneumonia. The effect of stress on the pathogenesis of bovine viral pneumonia and correlation between pneumonic lesions and antibacterial resistance in situ are discussed.     

LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDIES WITH A BOVINE EPHEMERAL FEVER VACCINE

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) virus vaccines, prepared from the brains of suckling mice infected with strain 525 BEF virus, were evaluated in housed cattle and in the field. The virus in lyophilised preparations was stable for 6 months at -50 degrees C. Thirty-four calves, 5 to 18 months old, were used in laboratory vaccination trials. An increase in serum neutralising antibody was detected in 13 of 14 calves initially free of serum antibody, and all 13 failed to develop clinical illness following challenge with virulent BEF virus. Vaccination resulted in no detectable serum antibody increase in 4 calves, 5 months old, with pre-existing antibody of presumed maternal origin. Seven animals, 18 months of age with serum antibody presumed due to previous BEF infection, developed increased antibody titres following vaccination. In 3 animals vaccinated but not challenged, vaccine-induced antibodies decreased to low levels over 5 months. In contrast, the antibody titres following infection with virulent virus in 2 calves were maintained over 5 months. Field trials, involving 236 animals initially free of serum antibody, were conducted on 5 properties near Mackay and 4 properties near Brisbane. Most of 164 animals were vaccinated with a single dose of lyophilised vaccine containing aluminium hydroxide adjuvant. Only 4 animals failed to develop serum antibody and no adverse reactions to vaccination were reported. Natural infection with BEF occurred in 4 herds at Mackay and clinically mild BEF occurred in 3 of 109 vaccinated and 3 of 46 control animals. On the basis of measured serum antibody titres it was assumed that 8 of 53 animals receiving full vaccine volume, 20 of 40 animals receiving half vaccine volume and 18 of 40 control animals became infected with BEF virus. Two dairy herds in Brisbane became naturally infected with virulent BEF virus 7 months after vaccination. Clinical BEF was observed in 8 of 11 control animals and in 3 of 26 animals which received 2 doses of vaccine. Two strains of BEF virus were isolated from unvaccinated animals that developed clinically mild BEF in the field. These strains either failed to infect, or produced subclinical or very mild BEF, when inoculated intravenously into susceptible calves. The anitbody response to natural infection with apparently mild viruses was short-lived, similar to that produced by vaccination.     

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) pneumonia in beef calf herds despite vaccination.

The present report describes the clinical, pathological, serological and virological findings in calves from 2 larger Danish beef herds experiencing outbreaks of pneumonia. The calves had been vaccinated with an inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine 2 months prior to the outbreak. The clinical signs comprised nasal discharge, pyrexia, cough and increased respiratory rates. A total of 28 calves died in the 2 herds. The laboratory investigations revealed that BRSV was involved and probably initiated both outbreaks. Furthermore, the serological results suggested that the vaccine induced only sparse levels of antibodies probably due to the presence of maternally derived antibodies at the time of vaccination. Necropsy findings in 5 calves revealed changes typical for infectious pneumonia with involvement of BRSV. In conclusion, vaccination of calves against BRSV in 2 Danish beef herds failed to protect the calves against severe or even fatal BRSV mediated respiratory disease 2 months later.     

Prevention of bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection and clinical disease by vaccination

A double blind field trial was carried out with a live attenuated bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine. The trial involved 530 calves, two to 10 months old, on 27 dairy farms, where respiratory problems due to bovine respiratory syncytial virus infections had been observed during the preceding year. In 17 herds either all calves were vaccinated (nine groups) or all calves received a placebo (eight groups). In 10 herds half the number of calves were vaccinated and the other half kept as non-vaccinated controls. Calves were vaccinated intramuscularly twice with an interval of four to five weeks. These groups were under regular clinical observation and animals were tested periodically for antibodies to bovine respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza type 3 virus. Serological examination indicated that no bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection had occurred prior to the first vaccination in August. Vaccination did not cause adverse reactions. Low concentrations of neutralising and complement fixing antibodies were induced by vaccination and a sharp increase of antibody titres was observed after natural infection of vaccinated animals. Infections with bovine respiratory syncytial virus occurred in six out of eight non-vaccinated groups, in nine out of 10 partly vaccinated groups and in only two out of nine completely vaccinated groups. Virus infection in completely vaccinated groups was significantly reduced compared with partly vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups. The incidence of bovine respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory disease was significantly reduced in completely vaccinated groups compared to non-vaccinated groups. Generally only mild signs of upper respiratory disease were present in completely vaccinated groups after bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Update on vaccination of cattle and wildlife populations against tuberculosis

A recombinant bovine herpesvirus 5 lacking thymidine kinase and glycoprotein E genes (BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ) was evaluated as a live experimental vaccine. In a first experiment, ten-months-old calves were vaccinated intramuscularly (n=9) or remained as controls (n=8) and 42 days later were challenged with BoHV-5 or BoHV-1 intranasally. The four control calves challenged with BoHV-5 developed severe depression and neurological signs and were euthanized in extremis at days 13 and 14 pos-infection (pi); the five vaccinated animals challenged with BoHV-5 remained healthy. The titers of virus shedding were reduced (p<0.01) from days 3 to 7 post-infection (pi) in vaccinated animals. Control and vaccinated calves challenged with BoHV-1 presented mild transient respiratory signs; yet the magnitude of virus shedding was reduced (p<0.05) in vaccinated animals (days 5, 9 and 11pi). In a second experiment, young calves (100-120 days-old) were vaccinated (n=15) or kept as controls (n=5) and subsequently challenged with a BoHV-1 isolate. Control calves developed moderate to severe rhinitis and respiratory distress; two were euthanized in extremis at days 5 and 9 pi, respectively. In contrast, vaccinated animals were protected from challenge and only a few developed mild and transient nasal signs. The duration and titers of virus shedding after challenge were reduced (p<0.05) in vaccinated animals comparing to controls. In both experiments, vaccinated animals developed antibodies to gE only after challenge. These results demonstrate homologous and heterologous protection and are promising towards the use of the recombinant BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ in vaccine formulations to control BoHV-5 and BoHV-1 infections.     

Early immunity induced by a glycoprotein E-negative vaccine for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis

Four groups of calves were vaccinated with a glycoprotein E-negative vaccine for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. Two groups of calves were vaccinated intramuscularly and challenged with a wild-type virus 14 and seven days after being vaccinated. The other two groups were vaccinated intranasally and similarly challenged after four and three days; an unvaccinated control group was also challenged. All four vaccination schedules reduced the incidence of clinical signs and the excretion of wild-type virus, and these reductions occurred as early as three days after the intranasal vaccination even in the absence of neutralising antibodies. Because of its marker characteristics, vaccination with this vaccine would not interfere with the detection of infected cattle during an outbreak, and it should therefore provide a useful tool for emergency vaccination campaigns.     

Antibody response of calves to immunoaffinity-purified bovine respiratory syncytial virus VP70 after vaccination and challenge exposure.

Immunoaffinity-purified bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) fusion (F) protein elicited anti-BRSV-specific antibody responses in BRSV-seronegative calves. After primary vaccination, all calves seroconverted to BRSV as determined by the virus neutralization (VN) test and developed anti-F protein antibodies detectable by protein immunoblot analyses. Subsequent vaccinations induced greater than twofold increase in VN titer in 3 of 9 (33%) calves, and 1 calf became VN-negative, but still had nonneutralizing antibody detectable by protein immunoblot analysis. This calf remained seronegative after challenge exposure. Two groups of calves were vaccinated IM with immunoaffinity-purified BRSV F protein. Each dose was 2 ml containing 20 micrograms of purified F protein. Freund's adjuvants were used for all vaccinations, with Freund's complete adjuvant used for the primary vaccination and Freund's incomplete adjuvant for subsequent vaccinations. The vaccine was administered to both groups at weeks 0 and 3; the first group received a third vaccination at weeks 21. Group-1 and -2 vaccinated calves and non-vaccinated contact controls were intranasally aerosol challenge-exposed with low cell culture-passage BRSV on weeks 22 and 9, respectively. Eight of 9 vaccinated calves did not develop a humoral anamnestic response following challenge exposure, as demonstrated by VN test and protein immunoblot analyses. Calf 14 from group 1 which had a 1:2 VN antibody titer prior to vaccination, was the only calf that developed an anamnestic response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)