Evaluation of Passive Immunity Transfer against G6P[1] Rotavirus in Holstein Calves by ELISA

Abstract

The main strategy to prevent bovine rotavirus group A (RVA) diarrhea in calves is to vaccinate late-term dams aiming to enhance passive immunity transfer of specific immunoglobulins against the virus. This study aimed to evaluate influence of parity in titers of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1 and IgM in serum and colostrum of vaccinated or unvaccinated Holstein cows and in serum of its calves, associated with monitoring for RVA diarrhea in calves. Cows and its calves were allotted into groups according to parity and vaccination (primiparous/multiparous; vaccinated/ unvaccinated) and serum and colostrum samples of cows were taken as well as serum and fecal samples of its calves. Parturition influenced colostral titers of IgG and IgG1, which were higher in multiparous cows, whilst IgM titers were influenced by vaccination, being higher in colostrum of vaccinated dams. Lowest serum titers of IgG and IgG1 were found in calves born to unvaccinated primiparous dams. Eleven calves presented RVA diarrhea, and genotypes G6P [11] and G6P [5] were found in the vaccinated and unvaccinated herds, respectively. Vaccination of dams prolongs humoral immunity in calves and enhances colostrum quality and should be a primary concern in primiparous cows.

Efficacy of prepartum vaccination against neonatal calf diarrhea in Nelore dams as a prevention measure

“…However, the higher basal titer in the non-vaccinated group and well as the small number of heifers included in this experiment explain the absence of statistical difference between VAC and NVAC in this specific animal category. These results disagree with the results from another study, which found an increase in the levels of specific antibodies against BoRVA in primiparous Holstein cows [12]. It is worth mentioning that the experimental design from these studies was different considering breed, diet and production system.…”

“…Based on these results, it is possible to state that the response of calves after ingestion of colostrum corresponds to the titer of IgG1 Ab detected in serum of all categories (heifers, cows and total dams) after vaccination. These results corroborate with several other authors who found that specific antibodies against BoRVA and BCoV are transferred efficiently to the offspring through colostrum intake [7,10,12].…”

“…Another research evaluated the effectiveness of a commercial vaccine containing the G6P [5] genotype of BoRVA in dairy cattle and found efficacy in prepartum vaccination to increase specific antibodies against these agents in the colostrum of cows and in the serum of calves in the group of vaccinated animals. However, colostral immunity was not sufficient to prevent NCD, with a higher occurrence in the vaccinated group [12].…”