title: Vaccine breaks: Outbreaks of myxomatosis on Spanish commercial rabbit farms.
abstract: Despite the success of vaccination against myxoma virus, myxomatosis remains a problem on rabbit farms throughout Spain and Europe. In this study we set out to evaluate possible causes of myxoma virus (MYXV) vaccine failures addressing key issues with regard to pathogen, vaccine and vaccination strategies. This was done by genetically characterising MYXV field isolates from farm outbreaks, selecting a representative strain for which to assay its virulence and measuring the protective capability of a commercial vaccine against this strain. Finally, we compare methods (route) of vaccine administration under farm conditions and evaluate immune response in vaccinated rabbits. The data presented here show that the vaccine tested is capable of eliciting protection in rabbits that show high levels of seroconversion. However, the number of animals failing to seroconvert following subcutaneous vaccination may leave a large number of rabbits unprotected following vaccine administration. Successful vaccination requires the strict implication of workable, planned, on farm programs. Following this, analysis to confirm seroconversion rates may be advisable. Factors such as the wild rabbit reservoir, control of biting insects and good hygienic practices must be taken into consideration to prevent vaccine failures from occurring.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Campus El Cristo, Universidad de Oviedo, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. Electronic address: daltonkevin@uniovi.es.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Campus El Cristo, Universidad de Oviedo, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nicieza
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Campus El Cristo, Universidad de Oviedo, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Llano
authors.affiliation: COGAL Cogal, S. Coop. Gallega, 36530 Rodeiro, Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gullón
authors.affiliation: Federacion de Cunicultores de Euskadi, C/ Juan XXIII, 16 B-3, 20730-Azpeita, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inza
authors.affiliation: Federacion de Cunicultores de Euskadi, C/ Juan XXIII, 16 B-3, 20730-Azpeita, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petralanda
authors.affiliation: Federacion de Cunicultores de Euskadi, C/ Juan XXIII, 16 B-3, 20730-Azpeita, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Arroita
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Campus El Cristo, Universidad de Oviedo, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parra
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005843:Geography; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009233:Myxoma virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009234:Myxomatosis, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011817:Rabbits; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D014765:Viral Vaccines
keywords: Antibody response; Genetic types; Myxoma virus; Myxomatosis; Rabbit; Sequence characterization; Vaccination; Vaccine breaks