TITLE:
Evaluation of “Indigenous Vaccine” Developed Using “Indian Bison Type” Genotype of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis Strain “S5” of Goat Origin in a Sheep Flock Endemic for Johne’s Disease: A Three Years Trial in India
AUTHORS:
Shoor Vir Singh, Ajay Vir Singh, Pravin Kumar Singh, Saurabh Gupta, Harendra Singh, Brajesh Singh, Omalur Rajendran Vinodh Kumar, Aripudur Sellappan Rajendiran, Narendra Nath Swain, Jagdip Singh Sohal
KEYWORDS:
Paratuberculosis; Indigenous Vaccine; Indian Bison Type; Bharat Merino Sheep; India
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Vaccines,
Vol.3 No.2,
May
22,
2013
ABSTRACT: “Indigenous vaccine” developed from native “Indian Bison Type” strain (“S5”)
of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) of “goat origin” was first time evaluated in a sheep
flock of Bharat Merino breed located in Mannavanur town of Tamil Nadu in South
India. Therapeutic efficacy of the vaccine was evaluated for 3 years between
2008 and 2010, on the basis of improvements in productivity (body weights,
reproductive efficiency and survivability), physical condition, clinical
symptoms (weakness, diarrhea, wool quality), immune response (sero-conversion)
and infection load in feces (shedding). After immunization of the flock in 2008,
the successive progenies of 112 and 53 lambs born in 2009 and 2010,
respectively were vaccinated. Whereas, 40 lambs born to control animals were
kept as unvaccinated controls. Though gain in body weights in vaccinated versus
controls were not significant in 2008, growth rates were distinctly superior in
Ist and IInd generations of vaccinated lambs.
Reproductive performance (tupping percent) and survivability of lambs and adult
sheep improved significantly. There was
overall reduction in yearly morbidity (diarrhea) and mortality rates of
the flock in post vaccination years. Shedding of MAP in feces was reduced in
vaccinated sheep by 6.2%, 14.3% and 27.3% in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively, whereas shedding increased in the
control sheep. Seromonitoring
of the animals by “indigenous
ELISA kit” showed enhanced “flock immunity” in successive generations. “Indigenous vaccine” reduced clinical disease and shedding
and improved immunity and productivity of Bharat Merino flock, endemic for
Johne’s disease.