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Development of calf diarrhoea vaccines
Annales De Recherches Veterinaires. Annals of Veterinary Research
|January 1, 1983
Summary
A new vaccine combining K99 antigen and rotavirus protects calves from diarrhea. Vaccinating cows stimulates antibody production in milk, offering complete protection against E. coli infections in newborn calves.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary immunology
- Calf health and disease prevention
Background:
- Diarrhea outbreaks in young calves are primarily caused by rotavirus and enterotoxigenic E. coli.
- These pathogens account for a significant proportion of calfhood diarrhea, leading to economic losses in livestock.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a combined vaccine against calf rotavirus and K99-positive enterotoxigenic E. coli.
- To assess the transfer of specific antibodies from vaccinated dams to calves via colostrum and milk.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant cows were vaccinated with a combined inactivated calf rotavirus and K99 antigen vaccine.
- Antibody levels in colostrum and milk were measured post-vaccination.
- Calves born to vaccinated cows were experimentally challenged with enterotoxigenic E. coli.
Main Results:
- Vaccination successfully stimulated the secretion of specific antibodies in the colostrum and milk of dams.
- Calves from vaccinated dams exhibited complete protection against experimental enterotoxigenic colibacillosis.
- Field trials investigating the rotavirus component show promising early results.
Conclusions:
- A combined vaccine is effective in protecting calves against enterotoxigenic E. coli through maternal antibody transfer.
- The vaccine strategy holds potential for controlling rotavirus-induced diarrhea in calves.
- Further field trials are necessary to fully determine the efficacy of the rotavirus component.