Characterization of Specific Passive Immunity Stimulated by Vaccination of Beef Cows Grazing Native Range with E. coli 0157:H7-SRP®

Authors

  • B. W. Wileman Department of Diagnostic Medicine/ Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • D. U. Thomson Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • KC Olson College of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • L. A. Pacheco College of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • J. R. Jaeger College of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • D. T. Burkhardt Epitopix LLC, Willmar, MN 56201
  • J. Sandstorm Epitopix LLC, Willmar, MN 56201
  • D. A. Emery Epitopix LLC, Willmar, MN 56201

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol44no1p12-16

Keywords:

E.coli O157:H7, SRP, passive immunity, food safety

Abstract

A total of 20 four-year-old, mixed breed cows were selected from the Kansas State University commercial cow-calf herd for this study. Cows were assigned randomly to one of two treatments: placebo, or E. coli O157:H7 SRP® (Epitopix LLC, Wilmar, MN) vaccination prior to calving. Serum total protein (TP) and serum Escherichia coli O157:H7 SRP® antibody levels (SRP) were measured pre-suckle and at set intervals post-suckle in calves. All 20 cows were negative for fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 throughout the study. Vaccination of cows had no effect on calf serum TP level (P > 0.05) compared to controls, however, length of time post-birth had a significant effect on calf serum TP levels (P < 0.001). Failure of passive transfer was recognized as early as six hours post-birth. A vaccine treatment by time post-birth interaction was observed for calf serum SRP® antibody levels (P < 0.01). Calves born to dams vaccinated with E. coli O157:H7 SRP® vaccine had elevated serum SRP antibody titers over time compared to placebo vaccinated calves. This study demonstrated that successful E.coli O157:H7 SRP® antibody passive transfer can occur in beef calves under natural range conditions. This could be the first step toward understanding life cycle immunization strategies against E. coli O157:H7 in cattle, and its effects on shedding of the organism by the animal at the time of harvest.

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Published

2010-02-01

How to Cite

Wileman, B. W., Thomson, D. U., Olson, K., Pacheco, L. A., Jaeger, J. R., Burkhardt, D. T., Sandstorm, J., & Emery, D. A. (2010). Characterization of Specific Passive Immunity Stimulated by Vaccination of Beef Cows Grazing Native Range with E. coli 0157:H7-SRP®. The Bovine Practitioner, 44(1), 12–16. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol44no1p12-16

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