Venezuelan equine encephalitis vaccination survey in Arizona and New Mexico, 1972.
Abstract: Field studies were conducted in 1972 to determine the immunization status of equines along the Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico borders. Interviews with horse owners were conducted along roads selected at random in the counties of Santa Cruz and Yuma, Ariz., and in Dona Ana County, N. Mex. At least 450 horse owners in each county were asked about the vaccination status of their animals, and information was taken on 1,260 animals. Blood specimens were obtained from every third equine, regardless of stated vaccination status, and tested for the presence of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), and eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) neutralization antibodies. Serum samples were collected from 446 equines in the 3-county area; only 227 (50.7 percent) had both a history of VEE vaccination in 1971 (including 20 vaccinated in 1972) and serum neutralization antibody against VEE. Of the remaining 220 with no detectable neutralization antibody to VEE, 197 (89.5 percent) had a history of VEE vaccination in 1971 (including 5 revaccinated in 1972), 14 (6.4 percent) had no history of vaccination, and 9 (4.1 percent) had an unknown vaccination status. Eighty-two percent (160 of 1971) of the equines with a history of VEE vaccination and presence of dectectable WEE or EEE antibodies, or both, had no detectable levels of VEE antibody. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that the presence of WEE or EEE antibodies, or both, may suppress the development of dectable vaccine-induced VEE antibody response in the equine. As a result of this investigation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as an added precaution, recommended the revaccination of equines in areas of the United States bordering Mexico.
Publication Date: 1977-07-01 PubMed ID: 877211PubMed Central: PMC1432023
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research conducted in 1972 investigated the vaccination status of horses along the Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico borders against Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), with a focus on the potential interference of other antibodies. Evidence was found suggesting the presence of other encephalomyelitis antibodies could affect the development of a vaccine-induced VEE antibody response, leading to a recommendation for revaccination in these areas.
Research Methods
- The investigators undertook field studies and conducted interviews with horse owners along the Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico borders.
- They utilized randomly selected routes in the counties of Santa Cruz and Yuma in Arizona, and Dona Ana County in New Mexico.
- A total of at least 450 horse owners in each county were surveyed about their equines’ vaccination statuses, and information was collected on 1,260 animals.
- Blood samples were gathered from every third horse, regardless of their stated vaccination status. These samples were then analyzed for the presence of neutralization antibodies against Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), and eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE).
Research Findings
- A total of 446 blood samples were obtained from equines over 3 counties. Out of these, only 227 (or 50.7%) had both a history of VEE vaccination the previous year and serum neutralization antibodies against VEE.
- Out of the remaining 220 equines, 197 (or 89.5%) had obtained a VEE vaccination in 1971, 14 (or 6.4%) had no history of any vaccination, and 9 (or 4.1%) had an unknown vaccination history.
- More significantly, 82% of the horses that had a history of VEE vaccination and detectable WEE or EEE antibodies (or both), had no detectable levels of VEE antibodies. This suggests that the presence of WEE or EEE antibodies could suppress the development of a detectable VEE antibody response.
Implications
- This study resulted in the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommending revaccination against VEE for equines in areas of the United States bordering Mexico.
- The presence of WEE or EEE antibodies may interfere with the development of VEE immune response, thereby suggesting that revaccination may be necessary to ensure full protection.
Cite This Article
APA
Moore RM, Moulthrop JI, Sather GE, Holmes CL, Parker RL.
(1977).
Venezuelan equine encephalitis vaccination survey in Arizona and New Mexico, 1972.
Public Health Rep, 92(4), 357-360.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / veterinary
- Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / prevention & control
- Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Retrospective Studies
- Texas
- Vaccination
References
This article includes 7 references
- Calisher CH, Sasso DR, Sather GE. Possible evidence for interference with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus vaccination of equines by pre-existing antibody to Eastern or Western Equine encephalitis virus, or both.. Appl Microbiol 1973 Oct;26(4):485-8.
- Parker RL, Dean PB, Zehmer RB. Public health aspects of Venezuelan equine encephalitis.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1973 May 1;162(9):777-8.
- Vanderwagen LC, Pearson JL, Franti CE, Tamm EL, Riemann HP, Behymer DE. A field study of persistence of antibodies in California horses vaccinated against western, eastern, and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis.. Am J Vet Res 1975 Nov;36(11):1567-71.
- Omohundro RE. Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis emergency operation.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1972 Dec 1;161(11):1516-8.
- CHAMBERLAIN RW, SUDIA WD, COLEMAN PH, WORK TH. VENEZUELAN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS FROM SOUTH FLORIDA.. Science 1964 Jul 17;145(3629):272-4.
- Zehmer RB, Dean PB, Sudia WD, Calisher CH, Sather GE, Parker RL. Venezuelan equine encephalitis epidemic in Texas, 1971.. Health Serv Rep 1974 May-Jun;89(3):278-82.
- Moulthrop JI, Moore RM Jr, Parker RL. Surveillance of Venezuelan equine encephalitis in the United States--1972.. J Infect Dis 1973 Oct;128(4):572-3.
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