The titers, duration, and residual clinical protection of passively transferred nasal and serum antibodies are similar among beef calves that nursed colostrum from vaccinated or unvaccinated dams and were challenged experimentally with bovine respiratory syncytial virus at three months of age

Total and pathogen-specific serum Immunoglobulin G concentrations in neonatal beef calves, Part 1: Risk factors

Maternal antibodies, delivered to the calf via colostrum, are crucial to prevent calfhood diseases and death. However, knowledge regarding the factors influencing this transfer of total and specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) against common enteric and respiratory disease pathogens under current production conditions is sparse. The objectives of this study were to determine risk factors influencing total and pathogen-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations against Escherichia coli (E. coli), bovine Rotavirus (BRoV), Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum), Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus type 1 and 2 (BVDV), Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (PI-3), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), and Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) in the serum of newborn beef calves. A total of 420 serum samples were collected from 1- to 7-day-old beef calves born on 6 farms in Alberta, Canada. Samples were analyzed by radial immunodiffusion for total IgG concentration and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for pathogen-specific IgG concentrations against E. coli, BRoV, C. parvum, BVDV, PI-3, BRSV, and BHV-1. Multivariable multilevel linear and logistic regression models were built to evaluate dam- and calf-level risk factors associated with total and pathogen-specific IgG concentrations, failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI; serum IgG < 10 g/L), and inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI; serum IgG < 24 g/L). Farm was included as a random effect in all models to account for clustering at the herd level. Of the 420 calves included in this study, 5% (n = 20) and 18% (n = 75) of calves had FTPI and ITPI, respectively. Receiving colostrum intervention (i.e., being fed colostrum or colostrum product by either bottle or tube) was the most consistent risk factor for low total IgG concentration and significantly increased the odds of FTPI (Odds ratio (OR): 6.1, 95% CI: 2.0-18.9) and ITPI (OR: 4.8, 95% CI: 2.1-10.8). Calves born to cows consistently had higher pathogen-specific IgG concentrations (P < 0.0001), compared to calves born from heifers, and calves born to vaccinated dams had significantly higher BRoV, BVDV, and BHV-1-specific IgG concentrations. Interestingly, E.coli-specific IgG concentrations were associated with dam vaccination only in cows but not in heifers, which was likely due to differing vaccination strategies used. This study highlights the need to review and refine protocols with respect to dam vaccination and colostrum intervention on cow-calf operations.

Local and Systemic Antibody Responses in Beef Calves Vaccinated with a Modified-Live Virus Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) Vaccine at Birth following BRSV Infection

Maternal antibodies interfere with BRSV vaccine responses and efficacy in young calves. The objective of this study was to determine if vaccination before the complete absorption of colostral antibodies results in adequate immune priming and clinical protection of beef calves. Within 6 h of life, calves were randomly assigned to 2 different treatment groups. Group Vacc (n = 25) received a single dose of a modified-live virus (MLV) BRSV vaccine intranasally (IN) and group Control (n = 25) received 2 mL of 0.9% saline IN. At approximately 3 months of age, all calves were experimentally challenged with BRSV. Serum and nasal secretion samples were collected before and after challenge for BRSV real-time RT-PCR and antibody testing. Respiratory signs were not observed before challenge. After challenge, respiratory scores were similar between groups. On the challenge day, >40% of calves in each group were febrile. The mean serum and nasal BRSV-specific antibody titers indicated natural BRSV exposure before the experimental challenge in both groups. All calves tested positive for BRSV and had a similar duration of shedding after challenge. Based on these results, vaccination at birth does not offer advantages for immune priming or clinical protection for beef calves in BRSV-endemic cow-calf herds.