Brucella Abortus Vaccines: Use in Control Programs and Immune Response

Abstract

Brucella spp. is a highly infectious pathogen that affects numerous livestock and wild animal species besides humans, and that although eradicated in some countries, remains one of the most economically important zoonosis worldwide. Strain 19 and RB51 are the two Brucella abortus vaccine strains more largely used in the control of brucellosis in cattle worldwide, being effective in the prevention of abortion and infection, besides offering long lasting protection. Here, we reviewed the main aspects of the B. abortus vaccines and their use in brucellosis control and eradication programs over the years and the current understanding in the immune response triggered by these two B. abortus vaccines, especially in cattle.

Efficacy of Brucella abortus S19 and RB51 vaccine strains: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Brucellosis is highly contagious among animals, since a low infectious load is necessary to the transmission by aerosols (Carvalho Neta et al, 2010). The disease tends to spread quickly within the herd, causing decrease in milk and meat production, disposal of infected animals, besides reproductive signs, as abortions, stillbirth and infertility, which validated the use of control and prevention measures, especially vaccination (Olsen & Stoffregen, 2005;Dorneles et al, 2017). Associated with its great importance for animal health, brucellosis is classified by World Health Organization (WHO) as a neglected disease (WHO, 2015) and, in 2018, it was reported as the most prevalent zoonosis worldwide (Cross et al, 2019).…”

Accidental exposure to Brucella abortus vaccines and occupational brucellosis among veterinarians in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

“…To reduce the bovine brucellosis prevalence, the Programa Nacional de Controle e Erradicação da Brucelose e da Tuberculose Animal-PNCEBT (National Program for the Control and Eradication of Animal Brucellosis and Tuberculosis) was created in 2001 and reviewed in 2017 (Brasil, 2001(Brasil, , 2017. The PNCEBT is mainly based on compulsory vaccination of young females aged between 3 and 8 months with S19 and the vaccination of females that were not vaccinated at this age with RB51 (Dorneles, Oliveria, & Lage, 2017). In addition, the programme also includes transit control for breeding animals and the slaughter of positive cattle (Ferreira Neto et al, 2016).…”