Colostrum transfer of neutralizing antibodies against lumpy skin disease virus from vaccinated cows to their calves

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to access the titres and duration of maternally derived neutralizing antibodies against lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in calves born to immunized dairy cows. The study was conducted in a Greek farm of 200 Holstein cows which were immunized with a homologous Neethling strain-based attenuated vaccine. Composite colostrum samples were obtained from 18 selected cows at the day of calving. Blood samples were obtained from each dam-calf pair prior to the first colostrum feeding and from the calves successively on the third day after calving and on monthly intervals thereafter, until day 150. Passive transfer of antibodies in calves was evaluated by determining the levels of total protein in serum samples collected on day 3. Neutralizing antibody (NAb) titres against LSDV in colostrum and serum samples were determined by virus neutralization test. Colostrum NAb titres >1:160 were associated with the presence of NAbs in serum from calves 3 days after birth. Out of the 18 calves, which received colostrum with NAbs, 16 (88.9%) had detectable NAbs in their serum. Thereafter, a declining percentage of calves with detectable serum NAbs was recorded (38.5% on day 90 and 0% on days 120 and 150). Only calves with high NAb titres on day 3 had detectable serum NAbs until day 90 after calving. Thus, a significant number of calves were not protected by maternal antibodies against the disease after the age of 3 months and likely even after the age of 2 months. The findings of the present study substantiate that current recommendation for vaccination can be amended, so as to minimize the susceptible bovine population and enable optimized LSD prevention and eradication.

Evaluation of Passive Immunity Induced by Immunisation Using Two Inactivated gE-deleted Marker Vaccines against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in Calves

“…Similar results were also seen in another study, in which a vaccine containing rotavirus, coronavirus, and Escherichia coli was used to immunise pregnant cattle and led to high titres of specific antibodies in their colostrum and milk [29]. Further, Agianniotaki et al demonstrated the presence of NAs against lumpy skin disease virus until 90 days post-calving [30].…”

Review: Vaccines and Vaccination against Lumpy Skin Disease

“…Regarding sero-surveillance, the presence of low responders in the vaccinated or naturally infected herds should be considered if the evaluation of the immune status is based solely on serology; positive cattle are protected but negative animals may or may not be protected. Calves born to immunized cows will have a passive immunity that persists for about three to four months [ 76 ]. In 88.9% ( n = 16/18) of calves receiving colostrum from vaccinated dams, neutralizing antibodies were detected in their serum three days after birth.…”

“…In 88.9% ( n = 16/18) of calves receiving colostrum from vaccinated dams, neutralizing antibodies were detected in their serum three days after birth. The levels of antibodies started to decline with time—after 90 days, only 38.5% ( n = 5) were positive, and after 120 and 150 days, none of the calves had detectable antibodies [ 76 ]. In another study, only in 10% ( n = 3/30) of the calves maternal antibodies were detectable after three months [ 77 ].…”

“…Faced with an outbreak, calves from unvaccinated dams can be vaccinated at any age. In general, calves from vaccinated or naturally infected mothers should be vaccinated at the age of three to four months, when maternal antibodies are declining or already absent [ 76 ]. No LSD vaccine challenge experiments have been carried out in domestic buffaloes, but the vaccination protocol using the same dosage and protocol for cattle has been recommended [ 25 ].…”

Capripoxvirus Infections in Ruminants: A Review

“…The passive transfer of maternal capripoxvirus antibodies has been investigated by several authors. Agianniotaki et al (2018) [ 86 ] detected antibodies in calves after feeding with colostrum until three months of age, and Milovanovic et al (2019) [ 65 ] showed, through Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT), Virus Neutralization Test (VNT), and Enzyme-linked Immunoassay (ELISA), that cows provide colostral antibodies to their calves. Weiss (1968) also reported the persistence of antibodies in calves after colostrum feeding for up to six months [ 87 ].…”