Related Experiment Videos
Vaccination against ovine pneumonia: a progress report
D H Davies1, G B Davis, K D McSporran
1Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Private Bag, Upper Hutt.
New Zealand Veterinary Journal
|June 1, 1983
Summary
A new ovine pneumonia vaccine targeting parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3) shows promise. While antibody response was weak, vaccinated lambs experienced less pneumonia, fewer deaths, and improved growth rates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Animal Pathology
- Ovine Health
Background:
- Ovine pneumonia is a significant concern in sheep farming.
- Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3) is suspected to play a role in ovine pneumonia.
- Effective preventative measures against PI3-associated ovine pneumonia are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a live, cold-adapted PI3 vaccine in field trials.
- To determine if PI3 infection is a causative agent of ovine pneumonia.
- To assess the impact of vaccination on pneumonia prevalence, mortality, and growth in lambs.
Main Methods:
- Three field trials were conducted using a live, cold-adapted PI3 vaccine in lambs.
- Vaccinated and unvaccinated lambs were monitored for pneumonia prevalence.
- Serological responses to vaccination were assessed.
- Mortality, carcass condemnation, and growth rates were recorded.
Main Results:
- Vaccination with the PI3 vaccine resulted in lower pneumonia prevalence in vaccinated lambs across all trials.
- Significant reductions in pneumonia were observed in one trial.
- Vaccinated lambs showed reduced mortality, fewer condemned carcasses, and higher growth rates in some trials.
- The vaccine demonstrated specificity for PI3, with minimal impact on other pneumonia causes.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first direct evidence implicating a virus (PI3) in naturally occurring ovine pneumonias.
- The PI3 vaccine, despite a poor serological response, demonstrated potential in reducing the prevalence and impact of ovine pneumonia.
- Vaccination may be a viable strategy to mitigate PI3-associated ovine respiratory disease.