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Published on: May 11, 2020
Evaluation of poliovirus antibody titers in orally vaccinated semi-captive chimpanzees in Uganda
L Mugisha1, G Pauli, J Opuda-Asibo
1Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), Entebbe, Uganda. lmugisha@vetmed.mak.ac.ug
Background:
To understand immunological responses in chimpanzees vaccinated with live-attenuated vaccine (oral polio vaccine; OPV), serum neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were investigated over time.
Methods:
The neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were determined by microneutralization test using 100 ID(50) of poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 (Sabin strains).
Results:
Neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were detected in 85.7%, 71.4%, and 65% of the serum from 42 chimpanzees tested 9 years post-vaccination. The neutralizing antibody titers in chimpanzees were similar to the documented levels in human studies as an indicator of vaccine efficacy.
Conclusions:
This study reveals persistence of neutralizing antibodies in chimpanzees for at least 9 years after vaccination with OPV. This first study in chimpanzees provides useful information for the evaluation of the success of vaccination with OPV in other captive apes.
