Humoral response to 2 inactivated bluetongue virus serotype-8 vaccines in South American camelids.
BACKGROUND
Bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) has caused disease in domestic ruminants in several countries of northern Europe since 2006. In 2008 a mass-vaccination program was launched in most affected countries using whole virus inactivated vaccines.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate 2 inactivated vaccines (Bovilis BTV 8; BTVPUR AlSap8) for immunogenicity and safety against BTV-8 in South American camelids (SAC) in a field trial.


METHODS
Forty-two SAC (25 Alpacas, 17 Llamas) aged between 1 and 16 years.


METHODS
The animals were vaccinated twice at intervals of 21 days. They were observed clinically for adverse local, systemic, or both reactions throughout the trial. Blood samples collected on days 0, 14, 21, 43, and 156 after vaccination were tested for the presence of BTV-8 virus by real time-polymerase chain reaction and of specific antibodies by competitive ELISA and a serum neutralization test.


RESULTS
All vaccinated animals developed antibodies to BTV-8 after the 2nd administration of the vaccine. No adverse effects were observed except for moderate local swellings at the injection site, which disappeared within 21 days. Slightly increased body temperatures were only observed in the first 2 days after vaccination. The BTV was not detected in any of the samples analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of the 2 inactivated commercial vaccines was safe and induced seroconversion against BTV-8 in all vaccinated animals. The results of this study suggest that 2 doses injected 3 weeks apart is a suitable vaccination regimen for SAC.
Zanolari
P
P
Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Berne, Bremgartenstrasse, Berne, Switzerland. patrik.zanolari@knp.unibe.ch
Bruckner
L
L
Fricker
R
R
Kaufmann
C
C
Mudry
M
M
Griot
C
C
Meylan
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001819:Bluetongue / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D001820:Bluetongue virus / Q000145:classification*; D002161:Camelids, New World; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014765:Viral Vaccines