Round table on control of Aujeszky's disease and vaccine development based on molecular biology

EMA and EFSA Joint Scientific Opinion on measures to reduce the need to use antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry in the European Union, and the resulting impacts on food safety (RONAFA)

EFSA and EMA have jointly reviewed measures taken in the EU to reduce the need for and use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals, and the resultant impacts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Reduction strategies have been implemented successfully in some Member States. Such strategies include national reduction targets, benchmarking of antimicrobial use, controls on prescribing and restrictions on use of specific critically important antimicrobials, together with improvements to animal husbandry and disease prevention and control measures. Due to the multiplicity of factors contributing to AMR, the impact of any single measure is difficult to quantify, although there is evidence of an association between reduction in antimicrobial use and reduced AMR. To minimise antimicrobial use, a multifaceted integrated approach should be implemented, adapted to local circumstances. Recommended options (non-prioritised) include: development of national strategies; harmonised systems for monitoring antimicrobial use and AMR development; establishing national targets for antimicrobial use reduction; use of on-farm health plans; increasing the responsibility of veterinarians for antimicrobial prescribing; training, education and raising public awareness; increasing the availability of rapid and reliable diagnostics; improving husbandry and management procedures for disease prevention and control; rethinking livestock production systems to reduce inherent disease risk. A limited number of studies provide robust evidence of alternatives to antimicrobials that positively influence health parameters. Possible alternatives include probiotics and prebiotics, competitive exclusion, bacteriophages, immunomodulators, organic acids and teat sealants. Development of a legislative framework that permits the use of specific products as alternatives should be considered. Further research to evaluate the potential of alternative farming systems on reducing AMR is also recommended. Animals suffering from bacterial infections should only be treated with antimicrobials based on veterinary diagnosis and prescription. Options should be reviewed to phase out most preventive use of antimicrobials and to reduce and refine metaphylaxis by applying recognised alternative measures.

Immunoprophylaxis against important virus disease of horses, farm animals and birds

Since the refinement of tissue culture techniques for virus isolation and propagation from the mid 1960s onwards, veterinary virology has received much academic and industrial interest, and has now become a major global industry largely centred on vaccine development against economically important virus diseases of food animals. Bio-tech approaches have been widely used for improved vaccines development. While many viral diseases are controlled through vaccination, many still lack safe and efficacious vaccines. Additional challenges faced by academia, industry and governments are likely to come from viruses jumping species and also from the emergence of virulent variants of established viruses due to natural mutations. Also viral ecology is changing as the respective vectors adapt to new habitats as has been shown in the recent incursion by bluetongue virus into Europe. In this paper the current vaccines for livestock, horses and birds are described in a species by species order. The new promising bio-tech approaches using reverse genetics, non-replicating viral vectors, alpha virus vectors and genetic vaccines in conjunction with better adjuvants and better ways of vaccine delivery are discussed as well

Veterinary vaccine development from an industrial perspective

Veterinary vaccines currently available in Europe and in other parts of the world are developed by the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. The development of a vaccine for veterinary use is an economic endeavour that takes many years. There are many obstacles along the path to the successful development and launch of a vaccine. The industrial development of a vaccine for veterinary use usually starts after the proof of concept that is based on robust academic research. A vaccine can only be made available to the veterinary community once marketing authorisation has been granted by the veterinary authorities. This review gives a brief description of the regulatory requirements which have to be fulfilled before a vaccine can be admitted to the market. Vaccines have to be produced in a quality controlled environment to guarantee delivery of a product of consistent quality with well defined animal and consumer safety and efficacy characteristics. The regulatory and manufacturing legislative framework in which the development takes place is described, as well as the trend in developments in production systems. Recent developments in bacterial, viral and parasite vaccine research and development are also addressed and the development of novel adjuvants that use the expanding knowledge of immunology and disease pathology are described.

Vaccine genotype and route of administration affect pseudorabies field virus latency load after challenge

The influence of vaccine genotype and route of administration on the efficacy of pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccines against virulent PRV challenge was evaluated in a controlled experiment using five genotypically distinct modified live vaccines (MLVs) for PRV. Several of these MLVs share deletions in specific genes, however, each has its deletion in a different locus within that gene. Pigs were vaccinated with each vaccine, either via the intramuscular or intranasal route, and subsequently challenged with a highly virulent PRV field strain. During a 2-week period following challenge with virulent PRV, each of the vaccine strains used in this study was evaluated for its effectiveness in the reduction of clinical signs, prevention of growth retardation and virulent virus shedding. One month after challenge, tissues were collected and analyzed for virulent PRV latency load by a recently developed method for the electrochemiluminescent quantitation of latent herpesvirus DNA in animal tissues after PCR amplification. It was determined that all vaccination protocols provided protection against clinical signs resulting from field virus challenge and reduced both field virus shedding and latency load after field virus challenge. Our results indicated that vaccine efficacy was significantly influenced by the modified live vaccine strain and route of administration. Compared to unvaccinated pigs, vaccination reduced field virus latency load in trigeminal ganglia, but significant differences were found between vaccines and routes of administration. We conclude that vaccine genotype plays a role in the effectiveness of PRV MLVs.

Optimization of murine CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses to pseudorabies virus

The aim of this work was to optimize the procedures used to elicit a cellular immune response to pseudorabies virus (PrV) in mice, using various immunization schedules and routes. An Eu-labeling-based cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) test was developed to measure the response. This necessitated optimization of numerous steps. In suspension, Eu labeling required high concentrations of dextran-sulfate (DXS) and Eu with a 30-min labeling time at room temperature. For anchored cells, the labeling time was 1 to 48 h, and the labeling efficiency depended strongly on the Eu concentration, but only marginally on the DXS concentration. In vivo and in vitro stimulation protocols were also optimized for the CTL test. For in vitro stimulation, spleen cells were cultured in T-25 flasks at a multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.) of 2. The CTL test was validated by specific depletion of CD8+ CTL, FACS analysis, and by comparing Eu and 51 Cr labeling. Then groups of mice were vaccinated once or twice by various routes (intraperitoneal (i.p.), intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.) and in the rear footpads (FP)) and according to different time schedules. CTL activity was detected only in boosted animals immunized FP, i.p. or i.v. That the cellular immune response contributes to protection was further suggested by the observation that i.p. immunization conferred better protection against challenge than s.c. immunization.

Glycoprotein gE blocking ELISAs to differentiate between Aujeszky's disease-vaccinated and infected animals

Three blocking ELISAs for the detection of antibodies against glycoprotein E (gE) of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) in sera (an indirect blocking ELISA (gE-iELISA), a direct blocking ELISA (gE-dELISA) and a two-site 'sandwich' blocking ELISA (gE-sELISA)) have been developed. The gE-ELISAs are based on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed to gE and detect gE-specific antibodies in sera by blocking the binding of mAbs to one (in the gE-iELISA and the gE-dELISA) or two (in the gE-sELISA) epitopes of gE. From a panel of thirteen gE-specific mAbs, mAbs, their conjugates and the combination coating mAb/conjugate that optimally detect anti-gE antibodies in the assays were selected. Sera from uninfected unvaccinated swine or swine vaccinated against different swine viral disorders were negative by three gE-ELISAs, the blocking gB-ELISA, and VNT. Swine vaccinated with gE-negative vaccine were seropositive in the gB-ELISA and VNT but were seronegative by three gE-ELISAs. Infected unvaccinated swine, infected swine vaccinated with gE-negative vaccine, and swine vaccinated with gE-positive vaccine were detected as seropositive by three gE-ELISAs as well as in the gB-ELISA. The gE-dELISA and the gE-sELISA proved to be specific and the most sensitive and reliable assays to distinguish ADV-infected swine from those vaccinated with gE-negative vaccine. These two gE-ELISAs were at least as sensitive as the gB-ELISA for detecting ADV-specific antibodies.

The role of biotechnologically engineered vaccines and diagnostics in pseudorabies (Aujeszky's disease) eradication strategies

Modern-day biotechnology has an almost unlimited number of possibilities for reducing the impact of hereditary and infectious diseases. To date one of its most visible and rewarding applications for veterinary medicine has been in the genetic engineering of vaccines and diagnostics to assist in the eventual eradication of pseudorabies (PR, Aujeszky's disease). In the following review we summarize some of the most pertinent issues relative to PR eradication and point out the present and potential role of biotechnology in achieving our goal.

Isolation of gE gene deleted pseudorabies virus by using a gE specific monoclonal antibody

A simple, convenient method employing a gE-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb; FTpn3) for isolation of the gE gene-deleted recombinant pseudorabies virus (PRV) is described. FTpn3 secreting hybridoma was obtained by fusing PRV-immunized BALB/c splenocytes with myeloma cells. To construct gE gene deleted PRV, a 5.7 kbp DNA fragment with deletion of the gE gene was engineered and cloned. The plasmid was then used for cotransfecting Vero cells with wild-type PRV genome. The resulting viruses were subjected to FTpn3 neutralization. The FTpn3 resistant virus was isolated and plaque purified further. By DNA fingerprinting and Western blotting analysis, the virus resistant to FTpn3 neutralization was proved to be the gE-deleted recombinant virus.

Pseudorabies virus eradication by area-wide vaccination is feasible

This article reviews the rationale for using marker vaccines and companion diagnostic tests in the eradication of pseudorabies virus (PRV). Recent advances in vaccinology and epidemiology indicate that, despite the inability to induce complete immunity, vaccination is a useful tool in the battle against PRV. This review focuses on the effectiveness of vaccination under field conditions and on herd, management and regional factors that are associated with PRV introduction or transmission.