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The danger of immunising Boergoats against heartwater
Insights
The Onderstepoort heartwater vaccine caused febrile reactions in Boergoats. Despite oxytetracycline treatment, 20% of does and 7.4% of kids died from heartwater, indicating vaccine challenges.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Immunology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Heartwater, a tick-borne disease, poses a significant threat to livestock, particularly in endemic regions.
- The Onderstepoort vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine used to control heartwater in susceptible animals.
- Boergoats are a popular breed susceptible to heartwater, making them a relevant model for vaccine studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Onderstepoort heartwater vaccine in Boergoats.
- To monitor the clinical and febrile responses of Boergoats following vaccination.
- To determine the mortality rates associated with heartwater post-vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Ten Boergoat does and 215 Boergoat kids were intravenously inoculated with the Onderstepoort heartwater vaccine.
- Animals were monitored daily for rectal temperatures and clinical signs of heartwater.
- Oxytetracycline was administered intravenously to does and intramuscularly to kids exhibiting febrile reactions or clinical signs.
Main Results:
- All vaccinated does developed febrile reactions by Day 10, requiring treatment.
- Two does (20%) died from heartwater on Days 16 and 17.
- A total of 16 kids (7.4%) died from heartwater between Days 11 and 18, with significant numbers developing the disease on Days 17 and 18.
Conclusions:
- The Onderstepoort heartwater vaccine induced significant febrile responses and mortality in Boergoats.
- The vaccine's safety and efficacy in this Boergoat population warrant further investigation and potential adjustments in vaccination protocols.
- Effective management strategies are crucial to mitigate heartwater outbreaks in vaccinated Boergoat herds.
Abstract:
Ten 6-toothed Boergoat does and 215 Boergoat kids were injected by the intravenous route with the Onderstepoort heartwater blood vaccine and then temperatured daily. On Day 10, all the does had rectal temperatures in excess of 40 degrees C and were treated with oxytetracycline intravenously, while the kids received an intramuscular injection of the antibiotic. One kid died from heartwater on Day 11. On Day 15, 7 does had a febrile reaction and all the does and kids were treated as before. Two does died of heartwater on Days 16 and 17 respectively, while 12 kids developed heartwater on Day 17 and 6 kids on Day 18. All were treated for heartwater. A total of 2 does (20%) and 16 kids (7.4%) died during the experiment.