Botha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)Crafford, Jan ErnstButler, V.P. Jr.Stojanovic, M.N.Labuschagne, Leonie2008-05-062008-05-062007-12Botha, 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]0030-24657006558662O-5991-2014http://hdl.handle.net/2263/5139Krimpsiekte, 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.292578 bytesapplication/pdfenAgricultural Research Council, ARC-OVI and the University of PretoriaCardiac glycosidesCotyledosidesKrimpsiekteImmunizationRabbitsSheepVaccinesCardiac glycosidesVeterinary vaccinesVeterinary toxicologyPoisoning in animalsToxicology -- Animal modelsArticle