University of Missouri researchers have developed the first-ever vaccine for bovine anaplasmosis, a tick-borne cattle disease.
Bovine anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease that affects cattle and other ruminants, is considered endemic in the Southeast and “a cause for concern in beef cattle farms in Central and South Florida,” according to a UF/IFAS blog. Transmitted by ticks or bighting flies, it is caused by the bacteria Anaplasma marginale, which infects the red blood cells; it can also be carried by deer. In the US, losses from the disease are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Thankfully, a Beef Magazine article shared how University of Missouri researchers have developed the first-ever vaccine for bovine anaplasmosis. See the details below.
Bovine Anaplasmosis Vaccine Details
According to the article, “Roman Ganta, a McKee endowed professor in Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a Bond Life Sciences Center researcher, led the study that created the new vaccine.” The team genetically modified the bacteria A. marginale by deleting a specific gene, and then they injected the modified pathogen into cattle, creating immunity.
According to the article, “the new vaccine has been proven to give immunized cattle protection against bovine anaplasmosis for at least a month.” The vaccine has been patented, and the research team is “collaborating with industry partners to discuss future distribution of the new vaccine.”
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