Serologic response to West Nile virus vaccination in the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).
Abstract: Vaccination has been an important component of preventative health care programs of North American zoologic institutions in their protection of valuable species against West Nile virus (WNV) infection since its detection in 1999. Although approved only for horses, commercial WNV vaccine has been used for the purpose of protection of nondomestic species, including avian, equid, and rhinoceros species. Currently, there are two commercial equine vaccines available, a killed vaccine and a recombinant viral-vectored vaccine. Both products have been used for the vaccination of Greater One-horned rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis) held in North American zoologic institutions. In this study, the efficacy of these vaccines was evaluated in Greater One-horned rhinoceroses based on the humoral immune response stimulated by vaccine administration. Five rhinoceroses were vaccinated in 2005 by using the killed equine vaccine and four received boosters in 2006 by using the recombinant vaccine. Rhinoceroses were evaluated for differences in pre- and postvaccination neutralizing antibody titer and gamma and beta globulins on serum protein electrophoresis. No changes were observed after administration of the killed vaccine; however, antibody titers were observed in two of four rhinoceroses after administration of the recombinant vaccine. No significant changes were observed in the serum protein electrophoresis after either vaccine. Based on these findings, the WNV recombinant vaccine appeared to induce a more measurable humoral immune response than the killed product in the Greater One-horned rhinoceros. However, further investigation of both vaccines is warranted to evaluate whether changes in the frequency of administration, dosage, or adjuvant might stimulate an improved humoral response in these animals.
Publication Date: 2008-12-30 PubMed ID: 19110693DOI: 10.1638/2006-0041.1Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article focuses on testing the effectiveness of two different commercial vaccines – a killed vaccine and a recombinant viral-vectored vaccine – against the West Nile virus (WNV) on the Greater One-horned rhinoceroses. Results indicate that the recombinant vaccine seems to produce a more substantial immune response.
Overview of the Research
- This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two commercial WNV vaccines on the Greater One-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) living in North American zoos. West Nile Virus infections can be detrimental to these species, prompting zoological institutions to adopt vaccination as part of their preventative care measures.
- Both vaccines in question, a killed version and a recombinant viral-vectored vaccine, were originally produced for horses but have been used for non-domestic species. The goal here was to gauge their effectiveness on rhinoceros species.
Conducting the Study
- In the study, five rhinoceroses received the killed equine vaccine in 2005 and another group of four received booster shots of the recombinant vaccine in 2006.
- The team analyzed the changes in neutralizing antibody titer and gamma and beta globulins on serum protein electrophoresis, both pre- and post-vaccination.
Findings of the Research
- No notable changes were observed in the group that received the killed vaccine.
- In contrast, antibody titers (indicative of an immune response) were observed in two out of four rhinoceroses that received the recombinant vaccine. This suggests that the recombinant vaccine may have induced a more significant humoral immune response.
Implications and Further Research
- Based on the results, researchers concluded that the recombinant WNV vaccine appeared to be more effective in Greater One-horned rhinoceros.
- Nevertheless, they proposed further investigation to determine if variations in the frequency of administration, dosage, or the use of an adjuvant might enhance the immune response in these animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Wolf TM, Gandolf AR, Dooley JL, Atkinson MW, Wolfe BA.
(2008).
Serologic response to West Nile virus vaccination in the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).
J Zoo Wildl Med, 39(4), 537-541.
https://doi.org/10.1638/2006-0041.1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio 43732, USA. tiffany.wolf@state.mm.us
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Zoo
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Antibody Formation
- Conservation of Natural Resources
- Female
- Male
- Perissodactyla / blood
- Perissodactyla / immunology
- Vaccination / veterinary
- Vaccines, Inactivated / administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Inactivated / immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic / administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
- West Nile Fever / prevention & control
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile Virus Vaccines / administration & dosage
- West Nile Virus Vaccines / immunology
- West Nile virus / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
