Stable and long-lasting immune response in horses after DNA vaccination against equine arteritis virus.
Abstract: Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of the equine viral arteritis. It is a small RNA virus with a linear, non-segmented plus RNA genome. EAV is a member of the Arteriviridae family that includes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRSSV), simian haemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) and lactate dehydrogenase virus (LDV). The viral transmission is via respiratory and reproductive routes. Clinical signs in horses vary, and severe infection can lead to abortions in pregnant mares or neonatal foal death. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the immune response in horses after immunization with a DNA vaccine harbouring and expressing EAV Open Reading Frames (ORF) 2, 5, and 7, in combination with equine interleukin 2 (eqIL2). Three boosters followed the basic immunization in two-week intervals. Each immunization was a combination of gene gun and intramuscular injection. All horses developed a high titer of neutralizing antibodies after basic immunization within 2 weeks. Remarkably, this immune response was found to be independent of the age of animals. The youngest horse was six-years old, and the oldest twenty-two years old. A remarkable difference in the immune response between the young and old were not observed. The duration of immunity was investigated during a period of one year. After 12 months, neutralizing antibodies were still detectable in all the vaccinated horses.
Publication Date: 2002-11-07 PubMed ID: 12418451DOI: 10.1023/a:1020109801925Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research examines the immune response in horses after being vaccinated against the equine arteritis virus (EAV) using DNA. The study found that the horses developed high levels of neutralizing antibodies within two weeks, regardless of the animal’s age, and the immunity provided lasted for at least a year.
Introduction
- EAV is a small RNA virus that causes equine viral arteritis, a disease that can cause severe infections and potentially abortions in pregnant mares or neonatal foal death.
- Transmission of this virus is through the respiratory and reproductive routes, meaning it can easily spread amongst horse populations.
Objective of the Study
- This research aimed to investigate the horse immune response after vaccination using a DNA vaccine expressing EAV Open Reading Frames (ORF) 2, 5, and 7 alongside equine interleukin 2 (eqIL2).
- The scientists wanted to see if this vaccine could produce a sufficient immune response to protect against EAV, how quickly this response occurred, if it was influenced by the age of the horse, and how long the immunity lasted.
Methodology
- After the initial vaccination, there were three booster shots given at two-week intervals.
- Both gene gun and intramuscular injection techniques were used for each vaccination.
Results and Findings
- All horses developed high levels of neutralizing antibodies within two weeks of the initial vaccination, showing a rapid immune response.
- The age of the horse did not impact the immune response, as both young and old horses had a similar antibody response.
- The immunity provided by the vaccine was found to last for at least a year, as neutralizing antibodies were still detected in all vaccinated horses 12 months later.
Conclusion
- The DNA vaccine was effective in stimulating a strong, rapid immune response in horses of varying ages against the EAV.
- This immune response was also long-lasting, providing immunity for at least a year after vaccination.
- These results suggest that this DNA vaccine could be an effective strategy for protecting horse populations against EAV.
Cite This Article
APA
Giese M, Bahr U, Jakob NJ, Kehm R, Handermann M, Müller H, Vahlenkamp TH, Spiess C, Schneider TH, Schusse G, Darai G.
(2002).
Stable and long-lasting immune response in horses after DNA vaccination against equine arteritis virus.
Virus Genes, 25(2), 159-167.
https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1020109801925 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Arterivirus Infections / prevention & control
- Arterivirus Infections / veterinary
- Arterivirus Infections / virology
- Equartevirus / immunology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Interleukin-2 / genetics
- Interleukin-2 / immunology
- Neutralization Tests
- Open Reading Frames / genetics
- Open Reading Frames / immunology
- Plasmids
- Vaccination
- Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA / immunology
- Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
- Viral Vaccines / immunology
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