VACCINE BOOSTER TO IMPROVE LIVESTOCK PROTECTION

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VACCINE BOOSTER TO IMPROVE LIVESTOCK PROTECTION
02 May 2000 - CSIRO

A new vaccine component patented by CSIRO could be used to replace current formulations in livestock vaccines to improve their protectiveness. CSIRO Animal Health's Dr John Edgar explains that a new vaccine additive has been discovered that rallies the immune system to mount a strong protective response.

A new vaccine component patented by CSIRO could be used to replace current formulations in livestock vaccines to improve their protectiveness.
CSIRO Animal Health's Dr John Edgar explains that a new vaccine additive has been discovered that rallies the immune system to mount a strong protective response.

"Some compounds enhance an animal's immune response to the vaccine. These components are called adjuvants. The strongest adjuvant we know of, Fruend's adjuvant, has usually only been used in experimental work, as it can lead to unsightly and painful site reactions. It is now being phased out. Adjuvants used in commercial vaccines do not cause these reactions, but are just not as strong," he says.

CSIRO Animal Health has used the new adjuvant in trial vaccines for sheep, chickens, rabbits and cattle, with good results.

"Dr Khin Than, who developed the adjuvant, found its protective immune response was just as effective as the complete Freund's adjuvant, but site reactions were greatly reduced," Dr Edgar says.

It is expected the new formulation will be relatively low in cost, as all components are readily available.

A major pharmaceutical company has licensed the adjuvant for use in a sheep vaccine. CSIRO is now calling for expressions of interest from commercial parties for use of the adjuvant in other applications in livestock and companion animals.

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CSIRO is Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

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Working from sites across the nation and around the globe, our 6500 staff are focussed on providing new ways to improve quality of life, as well as the economic and social performance of a number of industry sectors, through research and development.

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