Fatal Adverse Pulmonary Reaction in Calves after Inadvertent Intravenous Vaccination

Abstract

Abstract. Fatal adverse reactions to vaccination are uncommon and poorly documented. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of fatal adverse reaction to an inadvertent intravenous vaccination in three calves vaccinated against respiratory (Somnustar Ph) and clostridial (Tasvax 8) diseases. All three calves had severe acute interstitial pneumonia with multifocal pulmonary hemorrhages that resulted in fatal respiratory failure. Qualitatively, the pulmonary lesions in these calves were similar to those in septicemic/endotoxemic calves; however, the severity and extensity of pulmonary hemorrhages were of a higher degree than those usually observed in clinical septicemia/endotoxemia. In addition, approximately 30% of the arterioles and small arteries were surrounded by hemorrhages, which occasionally extended around adjacent bronchioles. A unilateral perijugular hematoma with recent transmural perforation of jugular vein found in all three calves was believed to have been caused by the injection needle during vaccination, and the fatal pulmonary changes were believed to have been secondary to the intravenous injection of vaccine.

Effect of vaccine administration modality on immunogenicity and efficacy

“…Intravenous injection is generally not used for vaccination, as it generally leads to a relatively low immune response compared to other injection routes[85, 86] and can also cause anaphylaxis, including allergic reaction and toxicity. It has been well documented that inadvertent intravenous vaccination can cause fatal adverse pulmonary reaction in calves[87]. …”

Streptococcus bovis/S. equinus complex septicemia in a group of calves following intramuscular vaccination

“…Inadvertent intravascular administration of a modified-live vaccine has been previously implicated in a series of calf deaths. 18 Although intravascular injection could not be confirmed in this case, it is possible that any small needle puncture was not visible grossly. Intravascular injection may explain the excessive hemorrhage at the site of vaccination, and may help explain the systemic response to the contaminated vaccine, instead of development of the more common postvaccination abscess.…”

“…There are few published scientific reports of systemic adverse reactions following vaccination in food animals. 3,7,18 Most reports are anecdotal and do not evaluate the underlying cause of the reactions, which can be difficult to determine. Very few cases document vaccine reactions in cattle, and even fewer highlight cases in calves.…”

“…Very few cases document vaccine reactions in cattle, and even fewer highlight cases in calves. Previous studies have reported systemic vaccine reactions in calves after in-advertent intravenous vaccination against respiratory and clostridial diseases 18 and following administration of a combination vaccine. 7…”

“…4 It is estimated that anaphylaxis after vaccine and antibiotic injection occurs with a frequency of <1 event per 10,000 animals. 18 Anaphylaxis secondary to vaccination has been observed in cattle vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease 3 and in cattle due to parenteral administration of penicillin–streptomycin. 16 Anaphylactic reactions are type I hypersensitivity reactions that initiate within minutes of exposure to a presensitized antigen.…”