Failure of a novel surface polysaccharide-targeting vaccine to prevent Tritrichomonas infection in beef cattle

Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is the causative agent of bovine trichomoniasis that has a major impact on production costs for beef cattle producers. Immunization strategies to effectively protect against T. foetus are a high priority. Tritrichomonas foetus expresses a surface polysaccharide, beta 1-6 poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), that is synthesized by a broad range of microbial pathogens. Vaccination with a PNAG-specific vaccine has demonstrated protection in pigs and horses. This study attempted to protect pregnant cows from an experimental T. foetus infection by prior vaccination with a PNAG-specific vaccine. Acceptable PNAG-specific antibody titers were achieved after vaccination, but antibodies elicited were non-protective against experimental challenge with T. foetus and in in vitro antibody functional bacterial killing assays.

Hairgrove, T. B., Thompson, J. A., Rocha, J. N., Vinacur, M., Roberts, C., Pier, G. B., & Cywes-Bentley, C.

Hairgrove, Thomas B||Thompson, James A||Rocha, Joana N||Vinacur, Mariana||Roberts, Casey||Pier, Gerald B||Cywes-Bentley, Colette

Failure of a novel surface polysaccharide-targeting vaccine to prevent Tritrichomonas infection in beef cattle Academic Article