Vaccinology for Bovine Practitioners

Immunization for Bacterial Respiratory Tract Infections

Abstract

Veterinarians have vaccinated calves for many years against bacterial pathogens. Many diseases have been successfully controlled by use of bacterins or toxoids in adjuvants. Brucellosis and clostridial toxemias are good examples of diseases that have been controlled in part by vaccination. However, some diseases are still prevalent despite widespread use of many types of vaccines. Pneumonic pasteurellosis of cattle and associated bacterins and toxoids are classic examples of this problem. Bronchopneumonia caused by Pasteurella (P.) haemolytica and P. multocida still account for huge losses in the dairy, stocker and feedlot industries (Babiuk et al., 1987).