Failure of a novel surface polysaccharide-targeting vaccine to prevent Tritrichomonas infection in beef cattle

Authors

  • Thomas B. Hairgrove Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 241 D Kleberg TAMU 2471, College Station, Texas 77843-2471
  • James A. Thompson College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843-4475
  • Joana N. Rocha College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843-4475
  • Mariana Vinacur Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
  • Casey Roberts Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
  • Gerald B. Pier Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
  • Colette Cywes-Bentley Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol55no1p52-56

Keywords:

trichomonas, infertility, abortion, vaccine

Abstract

Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is the causative agent of bovine trichomoniasis that has a major impact on production costs for beef cattle producers. Immunization strategies to effectively protect against T. foetus are a high priority. Tritrichomonas foetus expresses a surface polysaccharide, beta 1-6 poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), that is synthesized by a broad range of microbial pathogens. Vaccination with a PNAG-specific vaccine has demonstrated protection in pigs and horses. This study attempted to protect pregnant cows from an experimental T. foetus infection by prior vaccination with a PNAG-specific vaccine. Acceptable PNAG-specific antibody titers were achieved after vaccination, but antibodies elicited were non-protective against experimental challenge with T. foetus and in in vitro antibody functional bacterial killing assays.

Cover image of 55th Volume, No. 1 of the Bovine Practitioner: a brown cow rests in a windblown field with a statue of a saint in the background. Photo taken by Dr. Bob Smith near the west coast of Ireland.

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Published

2021-02-01

How to Cite

Hairgrove, T. B., Thompson, J. A., Rocha, J. N., Vinacur, M., Roberts, C., Pier, G. B. ., & Cywes-Bentley, C. (2021). Failure of a novel surface polysaccharide-targeting vaccine to prevent Tritrichomonas infection in beef cattle. The Bovine Practitioner, 55(1), 52–56. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol55no1p52-56

Issue

Vol. 55, No. 1 (2021)

Section

Articles