Developments in foot-and-mouth disease vaccines

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Vaccine Technology
• Immunology

Background:

• Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a significant threat to livestock globally.
• Effective vaccine production is crucial for FMD control and eradication efforts.
• Current vaccine technologies require continuous improvement to meet evolving challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine production.
• To discuss advancements in antigen production and formulation.
• To compare different vaccine types and their suitability for specific applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of Frenkel culture and cell line improvements for antigen production.
• Analysis of viral antigen inactivation processes and safety testing protocols.
• Comparison of adjuvant formulations, including Al(OH)3, saponin, and oil emulsions.

Main Results:

• Established a 'minimum safety level' for inactivated antigen batches (less than one virus particle).
• Oil emulsion vaccines demonstrate superior protection in cattle and pigs with long-term immunity.
• Oil vaccines are recommended for ring vaccination strategies due to their broad efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Advancements in cell culture and inactivation methods enhance FMD vaccine safety and production.
• Oil emulsion vaccines offer significant advantages for controlling FMD outbreaks in susceptible livestock populations.
• Emerging vaccine technologies, including modified-live viruses and synthetic peptides, show promise for future FMD prevention.