Effects and use of a modified live Anaplasma marginale vaccine in beef heifers in California

Eighty-one 11-month-old, nonpregnant, Anaplasma marginale-seronegative beef heifers were allotted to 2 groups for evaluation of a modified live A marginale vaccine (n = 50 for vaccinated group and n = 31 for nonvaccinated group). The vaccine induced a mild form of anaplasmosis, as evidenced by a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in the packed cell volume (PCV) between days 31 and 46 after vaccination. The lowest PCV was 11%, and 3 heifers had a PCV less than 20%. Slight lethargy was evident in some of the vaccinated heifers between days 30 and 45 after vaccination. All vaccinated heifers became seropositive to A marginale, as measured by the complement fixation test and the card test on days 35 and 42 after vaccination, respectively. All nonvaccinated heifers remained seronegative.