A potential krimpsiekte vaccine
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Date
Authors
Botha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)
Crafford, Jan Ernst
Butler, V.P. Jr.
Stojanovic, M.N.
Labuschagne, Leonie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Agricultural Research Council, ARC-OVI and the University of Pretoria
Abstract
Krimpsiekte, a chronic form of cardiac glycoside poisoning, is an important plant-induced intoxication of small stock in South Africa. It is caused by cumulative, neurotoxic bufadienolides, such as cotyledoside. A cotyledoside-bovine serum albumin conjugate was synthesized to immunize animals. The efficacy of the cotyledoside-conjugate in inducing an immunological response was ascertained in rabbits (n = 4) and sheep (n = 4) by determining cotyledoside antibody titres with an ELISA using cotyledoside-hen ovalbumin as antigen. The formation of anticotyledoside antibodies was induced in both rabbits and sheep following immunization with the cotyledoside-protein conjugate. Protection provided by the vaccine was demonstrated by challenging sheep (n = 4) with repeated, daily doses of cotyledoside (0.015 mg / kg) administered intravenously, commencing 45 days after the initial vaccination. One control animal died on Day 3 of the challenge period and the other was severely affected after administration of the third cotyledoside dose. The immunized ewes (n = 2) remained clinically unaffected and the challenge was suspended following six daily injections. Vaccination as a means of preventing krimpsiekte seems to be quite feasible and deserves further investigation.
Description
Keywords
Cardiac glycosides, Cotyledosides, Krimpsiekte, Immunization, Rabbits, Sheep, Vaccines
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Botha, CJ, Crafford, JE, Butler, VP Jr, Stojanovic, MN & Labuschagne, L 2007, 'A potential krimpsiekte vaccine', Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 307-314. [http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_opvet.html]