Bovine anti-rabies vaccination: The effect of booster doses

• Published in: The journal of venomous animals and toxins including tropical diseases Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 107
• Main Author: Albas, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Rabies virus; Brazil
• ISSN: 1678-9199; 1678-9199

There are no official data on the number of rabies-infected cattle in Brazil; however, estimates show that nearly 30,000 bovine die every year in the country. Disease control relies on vampire bat colony extermination and cattle vaccination. This study compared the efficacy of three different immunization protocols. Forty-five Nelore bovine were divided into three groups: A, B, and C with 15 animals/group. Group A received only one vaccine dose at day zero; Group B received the first dose at day zero and another dose (booster) at day 30 (early booster); Group C received two doses, but the booster dose was delayed (delayed booster) until day 180 after the first dose. Blood samples were drawn at days zero (before the first dose) and 30, 210, 390, and 540 after the beginning of immunization. The humoral response was evaluated by mouse neutralization test. Group C protocol (booster at day 180) was clearly more effective. In this group, antibody levels were higher and remained higher for longer periods than in the other two groups. These results suggest that Group C protocol (delayed booster) is more efficient in cattle vaccination, and therefore, should be discussed by authorities responsible for bovine rabies control.