Experimental Study on Brucella abortus Strain RB51 Vaccinated Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Challenged with Virulent  B. abortus Strain during Pregnancy

Abiodun Adewale Adesiyun; Anil Ramnanan; Mervyn Campbell; Zinora Asgarali; Michael Diptee

doi:10.6000/1927-520X.2018.07.02.1

Authors

Abiodun Adewale Adesiyun School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Anil Ramnanan Ministry of Food Production, St. Clair, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Mervyn Campbell School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Zinora Asgarali School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Michael Diptee School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-520X.2018.07.02.1

Keywords:

Brucella abortus, RB51 vaccine, Water buffalo, Challenge, Abortion.

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Brucella abortus strain RB51 (RB51) vaccine in preventing abortion in pregnant water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) experimentally challenged using the intravenous route, with a local pathogenic strain of B. abortus biovar 1 (Trinidad 1). Thirty-two female water buffalo calves aged 6-10 months were randomly divided into three groups for the vaccination trial using the subcutaneous route: Group I animals received recommended dose (RD) vaccine twice 4 weeks apart, Group II was vaccinated twice 18 weeks apart and Group III (control) received saline once. At approximately 6 months of pregnancy following natural breeding, the animals were challenged by the intravenous route with 2.5 x 10⁸ to 4.4 x 10⁸ colony forming units of a local strain of B. abortus, Trinidad 1. Blood samples were collected, pre-challenge and post-challenge, for serological assay using the BPAT and the animals were monitored for clinical signs. The bacteriological study was also performed on tissues of the dams and their calves. The frequency of abortion/stillbirths/early neonatal deaths was 55.6% (5/9), 42.9% (3/7) and 40.0% (2/5) for Groups I, II and III dams respectively (P>0.05; χ²). For calves from infected dams, the frequency of isolation of B. abortus Trinidad 1 from the abomasal and rectal swabs was 100.0%, 80.0% and 100.0% for Groups I, II and III animals respectively (P>0.05). It was concluded that vaccination of water buffalo with the RB51 vaccine using the recommended dose was ineffective in preventing infection, abortion, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths.

References

World Health Organization. The development of new/improved brucellosis vaccines: report of a WHO meeting. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, Dec 11-12, 1997.

Corbel MJ. Brucellosis: an overview. Emerg Infect Dis 1997; 3: 213-21. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0302.970219 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0302.970219

Nicoletti P. The epidemiology of brucellosis. Adv Vet Sci Comp Med 1980; 24: 69-98.

Office International Des Epizooties (OIE). International Animal Health Code 2000; 2.3.1. Available at: http://www.oie.int/. Accessed 2004.

Garcia-Carrillo C. International Office of Epizootics. Animal and human brucellosis in the Americas. Paris, France: Office International des Epizooties 1990.

Nicoletti PL. Relationship between animal and human disease. In: Young EJ, Corbel MJ. editors. Brucellosis: clinical and laboratory aspects. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press; 1989; pp. 41-51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003068518-6

Enright FM. The pathogenesis and pathobiology of Brucella infection on domestic animals. In: Nielsenand K. Duncan JR. editors. Animal brucellosis. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1990; pp. 301-20.

Poester FP, Samartino LE, Santos RL. Pathogenesis and pathobiology of brucellosis in livestock. Rev Sci Tech 2013; 32(1): 10-15. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.32.1.2193 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.32.1.2193

Saez JL, Sanz C, Durán M, García P, Fernandez F, Minguez O, Carbajo L, Mardones F, Perez A, Gonzalez S, Dominguez L, Alvarez J. Comparison of depopulation and S19-RB51 vaccination strategies for control of bovine brucellosis in high prevalence areas. Vet Rec 2014; 174 (25): 634. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.101979 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.101979

Turner A. Endemic disease control and regulation in Australia, 1901-2010. Aust Vet J 2011; 89: 413-21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00811.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00811.x

Adams LG. Development of live Brucella vaccines. In: Adams LG. editor. Advances in brucellosis research. Texas A & M University Press; 1990; pp. 250-76.

Lord VR, Schurig GG, Cherwonogrodzky JW, Marcano MJ, Melendez GE. Field study of vaccination of cattle with Brucella abortus strains RB51 and 19 under high and low prevalence. Am J Vet Res 1998; 59: 1016-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.1998.59.08.1016

Olsen SC, Bricker B, Palmer MV, Jensen AE. Responses of cattle to two dosages of Brucella abortus strain RB51: serology, clearance and efficacy. Res Vet Sci 1999; 66: 101-105. https://doi.org/10.1053/rvsc.1998.0251 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/rvsc.1998.0251

Olsen SC, Stevens MG, Cheville NF, Schurig GG. Experimental use of a dot blot assay to measure serologic responses of cattle vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain RB51. J Vet Diagn Invest 1997; 9: 363-67. https://doi.org/10.1177/104063879700900404 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/104063879700900404

Adone R, Ciuchini F, Olsen S. Field validation of the use of RB51 as antigen in a complement fixation test to identify calves vaccinated with Brucella abortus RB51. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 2001; 8: 385-87. https://doi.org/10.1128/CDLI.8.2.385-387.2001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/CDLI.8.2.385-387.2001

Cook WE, Williams ES, Thorne ET, Kreeger TJ, Stout G, Bardsley K, Edwards H, Schurig G, Colby LA, Enright F, Elzer PH. Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccination in elk. I. Efficacy of reduced dosage. J Wildl Dis 2002; 38: 18-26. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-38.1.18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-38.1.18

Kreeger TJ, Cook WE, Edwards WH, Elzer PH, Olsen SC. Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccination in elk. II. Failure of high dosage to prevent abortion. J Wildl Dis 2002; 38: 27-31. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-38.1.27 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-38.1.27

Blajan L, Melendez LV. Contribution of the OIE to controlling animal brucellosis on a world-wide scale. Office International des Epizooties Dev Biol Stand 1984; 56: 21-40.

Adesiyun AA, Cazabon EPI. Seroprevalences of brucellosis, Q-fever and toxoplasmosis in slaughter livestock in Trinidad. Rev Elev Med Vet Pays Trop 1996; 49: 28-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.9541

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (1998-2008) Annual Report.

Fosgate GT, Adesiyun AA, Hird DW, Johnson WO, Hietala SK, Schurig GG, Ryan J, Diptee MD. Evaluation of brucellosis RB51 vaccine for domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Trinidad. Prev Vet Med 2003; 58: 211-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-5877(03)00048-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-5877(03)00048-5

Fosgate GT, Adesiyun AA, Hird DW, Hietala SK, Ryan J. Isolation of Brucella abortus biovar 1 from cattle and water buffaloes on Trinidad. Vet Rec 2002; 151: 272-3. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.151.9.272 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.151.9.272

Adesiyun AA, Fosgate GT, Persad AA, Campbell M, Seebaransing R, Stewart-Johnson A. Comparative study on responses of cattle and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) to experimental inoculation of Brucella abortus biovar 1 by the intra-conjunctival route—a preliminary report. Trop Anim Hlth Prod 2010; 42: 1685-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9621-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9621-3

Diptee MD, Asgarali Z, Campbell M, Fosgate G, Adesiyun AA. Post-exposure serological and bacteriological responses of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) to Brucella abortus biovar 1 following vaccination with Brucella abortus strain RB51. Rev Sci Tech Off Int Epiz 2007; 26: 669-78. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.26.3.1773 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.26.3.1773

Adesiyun AA, Fosgate GT, Seebaransingh R, Brown G, Stoute S, Stewart-Johnson A. Virulence of Brucella abortus isolated from cattle and water buffalo. Trop Anim Hlth Prod 2011; 43: 13-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9679-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9679-y

Ramnanan A, Diptee M, Asgarali Z, Campbell M, Adesiyun A. Serological and bacteriological responses of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) vaccinated with two doses of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine. Trop Anim Hlth Prod 2012; 44: 1451- 58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0086-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0086-4

OIE manual of standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines. Bovine brucellosis. OIE, Paris 2000; 328-45.

United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Brucellosis eradication uniform methods and rules: Raleigh, N.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 1992; pp. 21-49.

Martin SW. The evaluation of tests. Can J Comp Med 1977; 41: 19-25.

Smith RD. editor. Veterinary clinical epidemiology. Butterworth-Heinemann, Woburn, Mass; 1991; p. 234.

Cheville NF, Olsen SC, Jensen AE, Stevens MG, Palmer MV, Florance AM. Effects of age at vaccination on efficacy of Brucella abortus RB51 to protect cattle against brucellosis. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 1152-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.1996.57.08.1153

Poester FP, Goncalves VS, Paixao TA, Santos RL, Olsen SC, Schurig GG, Lage AP. Efficacy of strain RB51 vaccine in heifers against experimental brucellosis. Vaccine 2006; 24: 5327-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.04.020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.04.020

Olsen SC, Jensen AE, Stoffergen WC, Palmer MV. Efficacy of calfhood vaccination with Brucella abortus strain RB51 in protecting bison against brucellosis. Res Vet Sci 2003; 74: 17-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-5288(02)00146-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-5288(02)00146-7

Adams LG, Temlpeton JW. Genetic resistance to bacterial diseases in animals. Rev Sci Technol 1998; 17: 200-19. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.17.1.1085 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.17.1.1085

Elzer PH, Enright FM, Colby L, Hagius SD, Walker JV, Fatemi MB, Kopec JD, Beal VC, Schurig GG. Protection against infection and abortion induced by virulent challenge exposure after oral vaccination of cattle with Brucella abortus strain RB51. Am J Vet Res 1998; 59: 1575-78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.1998.59.12.1575

Olsen SC. Immune responses and efficacy after administration of a commercial Brucella strain vaccine to cattle. Vet Ther 2000; 1: 183-91.

Caporale V, Bonfini B, Di Giannatale E, Di Provvido A, Forcella S, Giovannini A, Tittarelli M, Scacchia M. Efficacy of Brucella abortus vaccine strain RB51 compared to the reference vaccine Brucella abortus strain 19 in water buffalo. Vet Ital 2010; 46(1): 13-9, 5-11.

Confer AW, Hall SM, Faulkner CB, Espe BH, Deyoe BL, Morton RJ, Smith RA. Effects of challenge dose on the clinical and immune responses of cattle vaccinated with reduced doses of Brucella abortus strain 19. Vet Microbiol 1985; 10: 561-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1135(85)90065-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1135(85)90065-3

Davis DS, Templeton JW, Ficht TA, Huber JD, Dale Angus R, Gary Adams L. Brucella abortus in bison. II. Evaluation of strain 19 vaccination of pregnant cows. J Wildl Dis 1991; 27: 258-64. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-27.2.258 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-27.2.258

Palmer MV, Cheville NF, Jensen AE. Experimental infection of pregnant cattle with the vaccine candidate Brucella abortus strain RB51: pathologic, bacteriologic and serologic findings. Vet Pathol 1996; 33 (6): 682-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/030098589603300607 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/030098589603300607

Cheville NF, Stevens MG, Jensen E, Tatum FM, Halling SM. Immune responses and protection against infection and abortion in cattle experimentally vaccinated with mutant strains of Brucella abortus. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 1591-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.1993.54.10.1591

Davis DS, Templeton JW, Ficht TA, et al. Brucella abortus in captive bison. I. Serology, bacteriology, pathogenesis, and transmission to cattle. J Wildl Dis 1990; 26: 360-71. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-26.3.360 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-26.3.360

Palmer MV, Olsen SC, Gilsdorf MJ, Philo LM, Clarke PR, Cheville NF. Abortion and placentitis in pregnant bison (Bison bison) induced by the vaccine candidate, Brucella abortus strain RB51. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 1604-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.1996.57.11.1604