Experimental bovine anaplasmosis vaccine may offer cattle protection

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Anaplasmosis, a global disease that typically affect ruminants, including cattle, sheep, and goats, is a common disease in southern United States. Moreover, anaplasmosis can sometimes result in death, particularly in adult cattle.¹ The spread of this illness has been reaching unprecedented levels across the US, according to a news release.² Helping to tackle this issue is an inactivated bovine anaplasmosis vaccine, the world’s only one of its kind.

The vaccine by University Products, a specialist in approved bovine vaccines for experimental use, provides a cost-effective, sustainable, and easy-to-administer solution for a “cattle industry under siege,” according to the company. Although conventional approaches like pest control and chlortetracycline (CTC) medications offer partial relief, they do not offer effective protection of herds both presently and in the long term.² According to the FDA, CTC Type C medicated feeds are not approved for treating or preventing anaplasmosis. Rather, these feeds are approved only for the control of active infection of this illness.³

“Antibiotics were never meant to be a routine cure, but are an emergency response to breakthrough infections," Gene Luther, director at University Products, said in the news release.² "Antibiotic overuse can lead to major antibiotic resistance. They're also not cost-effective. Vaccination is really the only route that makes sense, both biologically and economically.”

The inactivated bovine anaplasmosis vaccine was developed at the Veterinary Science department of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. It received USDA approval for its production and sale as an experimental anaplasmosis vaccine to veterinarians in 29 states. There have been no reported cases of neonatal isoerythrolysis in calves of vaccinated cows and the vaccine has been administered to cows at all stages of pregnancy without any reported issues, according to the company. The USDA, however, has not conducted efficacy or potency tests on the vaccine.⁴

The vaccine necessitates 2 doses in the 1st year, followed by an annual booster. Given its prevention mechanism, it offers protection against the loss of animals to the illness and reduces antibiotic resistance, unlike the CTC feed. Moreover, the vaccination is less costly than the combined expenses of using CTC feed and continuous pest control efforts. Additionally, the cost of testing animals for anaplasmosis and then culling or isolating those infected further strains ranchers financially, making vaccination a more economical choice, according to company.²

About anaplasmosis

The disease is caused by Anaplasma marginale, a bacterium that does not infect humans but is infectious in ruminants.³ It mainly spreads via infected tick and horsefly bites, with horseflies having the ability to transmit the disease for up to 2 hours after feeding on an infected host.²

After animals have been infected, anaplasmosis can spread through contaminated equipment or through blood. Symptoms typically appear 3 to 6 weeks after an animal has been infected and can include anemia, fever, depression, and isolation. Severe symptoms in infected adult cattle consist of jaundice and death. In young ruminants, however, early diagnosis proves difficult, as they may only show signs of fever and increased breathing rates, making many of these young animals chronic carriers.²

References

1. Anaplasmosis in cattle. The University of Tennessee Extension. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://utbeef.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/127/2020/11/AnaplasmosisInCattle-ASB288-FMH-WWG.pdf
2. University Products' bovine anaplasmosis vaccine: The superior solution over pest control and CTC medicines. News release. University Products LLC. July 17, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/university-products-bovine-anaplasmosis-vaccine-the-superior-solution-over-pest-control-and-ctc-medicines-302199392.html
3. Questions and answers: FDA Approved free-choice feeding options for anaplasmosis control in cattle. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/development-approval-process/questions-and-answers-fda-approved-free-choice-feeding-options-anaplasmosis-control-cattle
4. History of anaplasmosis vaccine. University Products LLC. Accessed July 19, 2024. http://www.anaplasmosis.com/history.html