University of Missouri researchers are developing a new* vaccine proven to protect cattle from a devastating tick-borne cattle disease, bovine anaplasmosis. Roman Reddy Ganta, MSc, PhD, led the study that created the new vaccine. The work involved genetically modifying the pathogen Anaplasma marginale in a lab.
By deleting a specific gene and then injecting the modified pathogen into cattle, the vaccinated cattle were successfully immunized against the disease. The new vaccine has been proven to give immunized cattle protection against bovine anaplasmosis for at least a month. Duration of immunity studies are planned. The vaccine is not currently commercially available.
Source: SHOW ME MISSOU, August 28, 2024. Link.
Commentary
*Multiple news stories have positioned Ganta’s vaccine as the first anaplasmosis vaccine. That is a misnomer. The first anaplasmosis vaccine manufactured for cattle in the United States was one made by Fort Dodge and called Anaplaz®. A second vaccine from Mallinkrodt, later Schering-Plough, marketed a vaccine called Plazvax®. Both of these vaccines protected against anaplasmosis by similar killed virus mechanisms. There was also a modified-live virus alternative vaccine in California, Anavac®, used in young cattle to create immune carriers . . . a controlled infection <Link>.