Immune Response in Holstein-Zebu Cross and Zebu Calves Vaccinated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) at Bako Agricultural Research Centre, Western Ethiopia
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin (BCG) currently remains the only licensed vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis.The purpose of this study was to evaluate immune responses in calves vaccinated with BCG in western Ethiopia.Methods: Twelve Holstein-zebus cross breed calves (six vaccinated with 0.5ml of 1 x 106 CFU of BCG and six controls) and nine pure zebu calves (five vaccinated with 0.5ml of 1 x 106 CFU of BCG and four controls) were used in this study.Immune responses were monitored for 23 weeks post vaccination using gamma interferon (IFN-γ) assay and comparative intra-dermal tuberculin test to assess cellular response, and enzyme-liked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) to measure antibody response.Results and interpretation: IFN-γ response was observed starting from week 2, attaining its peak at week 4 post vaccination after which a fall in the response of IFN-γ was observed attaining a constant concentration from week 8 onwards.The mean IFN-γ response (OD450nm: Mean ± SEM, 0.205 ± 0.018) in vaccinated calves was significantly (tcal=2.85,P<0.05) higher than the non-vaccinated calves (Mean ± SEM, 0.168±0.008)at 4th week post vaccination.Within the vaccinated group, the mean IFN-γ response was significantly (tcal=3.01,P<0.05) greater in cross breed (Mean ± SEM, 0.217 ± 0.021) than in zebu breeds (Mean ± SEM, 0.194 ± 0.015) at 4th week post vaccination.On the other hand, no detectable antibody response was observed in vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves while the mean of skin thickness following skin test was significantly (P<0.05)higher in vaccinated calves than in non-vaccinated calves 23 weeks post vaccination.Conclusion: BCG induced IFN-γ responses in both Holstein-zebu cross and zebu calves although stronger IFN-γ response was observed in Holstein-zebu cross breed as compared to the response in zebu, which could suggest the possibility of using BCG for the control of bovine tuberculosis in Ethiopia.
Authors: Ketema Tafess, Gobena Ameni
Institutions: University of Gondar, Addis Ababa University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2112527015