Oral vaccination of sexually mature pigs with Brucella abortus vaccine strain RB51.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a novel oral vaccine delivery system for swine, using the rough vaccine strain of Brucella abortus.


METHODS
56 crossbred pigs from a brucellosis-free facility.


METHODS
In 3 separate experiments, pigs were orally vaccinated with doses of 1 x 10(9) to > 1 x 10(11) CFU of strain RB51 vaccine. The vaccine was placed directly on the normal corn ration, placed inside a whole pecan, or mixed with cracked pecans and corn.


RESULTS
Oral vaccination of pigs with vaccine strain RB51 resulted in a humoral immune response to strain RB51 and short-term colonization of the regional lymph nodes.


CONCLUSIONS
A viscous liquid such as Karo corn syrup in association with pecans that scarify the oral mucosa are necessary when placing the live vaccine directly onto corn or other food rations. Doses of > 1 x 10(11) CFU of RB51 organisms/pig in this mixture ensures 100% colonization of regional lymph nodes via the oral route. This method may allow an efficient and economical means to vaccinate feral swine for brucellosis.
Edmonds
M D
MD
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
Samartino
L E
LE
Hoyt
P G
PG
Hagius
S D
SD
Walker
J V
JV
Enright
F M
FM
Schurig
G G
GG
Elzer
P
P
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000276:immunology*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines