A potential krimpsiekte vaccine

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Authors

Botha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)
Crafford, Jan Ernst
Butler, V.P. Jr.
Stojanovic, M.N.
Labuschagne, Leonie

Journal Title

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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.

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Keywords

Cardiac glycosides, Cotyledosides, Krimpsiekte, Immunization, Rabbits, Sheep, Vaccines

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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]