A researcher at Louisiana State University (LSU) developed a groundbreaking vaccine targeting bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and its associated illnesses.
BRD results in the deaths of approximately 8 million calves annually and the financial burden costs the U.S. cattle industry $1 billion.
Shafiqul Chowdhury, professor of veterinary medicine at LSU, genetically modified the bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1) to incorporate protective proteins from other bovine respiratory viruses, namely bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 & 2 (BVDV 1 & 2) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), aiming to prevent BRD.
Most cattle producers utilize a commercially available modified live BRD vaccine containing multiple live viruses to safeguard their herds. However, despite this measure, the diseases claim more than one-fifth of all calves. Chowdhury highlighted the calf mortality rate among vaccinated animals as one area where the current vaccine cocktail falls short.
Unlike other countries, the U.S. does not mandate marker or Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals vaccines, capable of differentiation from virulent field viruses, which could prevent the circulation and maintenance of vaccine viruses within the cattle population. Chowdhury’s vaccine addresses this issue, ensuring that vaccine viruses cannot spread or circulate, mitigating risks of spontaneous abortions and BRD in vaccinated animals.
LSU said Chowdhury’s vaccine presents several advantages. It is cost-effective because it uses a single virus, genetically engineered BHV-1, which exhibits robust growth in cell culture. In contrast, the commercial cocktail vaccine involves growing individual viruses separately and then mixing them, necessitating rigorous quality control for each vaccine batch.
Additionally, unlike the commercial vaccine cocktail, Chowdhury’s vaccine does not pose the risk of abortion, a potential adverse outcome observed in cows that reach adulthood after the commercial vaccine is administered.
“Dr. Chowdhury’s vaccines could be a game-changer for the cattle industry, and we couldn’t be more excited to support this kind of groundbreaking research,” LSU Vice President of Research & Economic Development Robert Twilley said.
Chowdhury has applied for a patent for the vaccine, and according to DTN, once the patent is acquired, commercial manufacturing will begin as a licensing agreement has been signed. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
