Immunoprophylaxis of experimental Mycoplasma bovis arthritis in calves. Protective efficacy of live organisms and formalinized vaccines

Live Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) organisms given subcutaneously or intraperitoneally protected nine of ten calves and eight of nine calves, respectively, from clinical arthritis, while the formalinized vaccine given subcutaneously protected eight of ten calves. In contrast, clinical arthritis was induced in all non-vaccinated calves that were challenged intravenously. The arthritic lesion was more severe in non-vaccinated calves than in the few vaccinated calves that developed clinical arthritis. Unlike formalinized vaccine, live M. bovis culture given subcutaneously provoked a local reaction at the site of injection in most calves in the form of oedematous plaques of about 7–8 cm in diameter. Results suggest that the formalinized vaccine may offer a practical approach to the control of Mycoplasma bovis arthritis in calves.