Protection of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) against plague after voluntary consumption of baits containing recombinant raccoon poxvirus vaccine.
Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) are highly susceptible to Yersinia pestis and significant reservoirs of plague for humans in the western United States. A recombinant raccoon poxvirus, expressing the F1 antigen of Y. pestis, was incorporated into a palatable bait and offered to 18 black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) for voluntary consumption; 18 negative control animals received placebo baits. Antibody titers against Y. pestis F1 antigen increased significantly (P < 0.01) in vaccinees, and their survival was significantly higher upon challenge with Y. pestis than that of negative controls (P < 0.01).
Mencher
Jordan S
JS
Wildlife Science Group, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Smith
Susan R
SR
Powell
Tim D
TD
Stinchcomb
Dan T
DT
Osorio
Jorge E
JE
Rocke
Tonie E
TE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D027723:Ipomoea batatas / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D010930:Plague / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010931:Plague Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011212:Poxviridae / Q000235:genetics; D011821:Raccoons / Q000821:virology; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012589:Sciuridae / Q000382:microbiology*; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010931:Plague Vaccine; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C086725:caf1 protein, Yersinia pestis