December 21, 2006

Researchers use virus to aid vaccination in young animals
 

USDA scientists are using a virus similar to the human flu to overcome maternal defences in young animals that prevent them from being vaccinated. 

Maternal antibodies are crucial to the offspring of animals such as cattle and swine, as they have no protective antibodies of their own and have to get their immunity from suckling colostrum, during the first 24 to 36 hours after birth.

However, these maternal antibodies also fight off virus strains from vaccines that provide immunity against disease.

Veterinary medical officers Ronald Wesley and Kelly Lager of the ARS National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, immunised new-born pigs that had suckled maternal influenza-fighting antibodies by getting the flu strain past the antibodies on-board a weakened virus.

The virus carried the genetic material into animals. And since adenoviruses originate from humans, livestock have no maternal antibody resistance to them.

The scientists said this is a potential breakthrough as it makes animals less vulnerable during the new-borne phase.