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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #362564

Research Project: Characterize the Immunopathogenesis and Develop Diagnostic and Mitigation Strategies to Control Tuberculosis in Cattle and Wildlife

Location: Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research

Title: Evaluation of A baculovirus-expressed VP2 subunit vaccine for the protection of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from epizootic hemorrhagic disease

Author
item Noronha, Leela
item SUNWOO, SUN - Kansas State University
item MOROZOV, IGOR - Kansas State University
item TRUJILLO, JESSIE - Kansas State University
item FABURAY, BONTO - Kansas State University
item Schirtzinger, Erin
item KIM, IN - Kansas State University
item DROLET, BARBARA - Kansas State University
item McVey, David
item MEEKINS, DAVID - Kansas State University
item URBANIAK, KINGA - Kansas State University
item Palmer, Mitchell
item BALARAMAN, VELMURUGAN - Kansas State University
item Wilson, William - Bill

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is an arthropod-transmitted RNA virus and the causative agent of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in wild and domestic ruminants. In North America, white-tailed deer (WTD) experience the highest EHD-related morbidity and mortality, although clinical disease is reported in cattle during severe epizootics. No commercially licensed EHDV vaccine is available in North America. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a subunit vaccine candidate to control EHD in WTD. Recombinant VP2 (rVP2) outer capsid proteins of EHDV serotypes 2 (EHDV-2) and 6 (EHDV-6) were produced in a baculovirus-expression system. Mice and cattle vaccinated with EHDV-2 or EHDV-6 rVP2 produced homologous virus-neutralizing antibodies. In an immunogenicity/efficacy study, captive-bred WTD received 2 doses of EHDV-2 rVP2 or sham vaccine, then were challenged with wild-type EHDV-2 at 30 d post vaccination. None of the rVP2-vaccinated deer developed clinical disease, no viral RNA was detected in their blood or tissues (liver, lung, spleen, kidney), and no EHDV-induced lesions were observed. Sham-vaccinated deer developed clinical disease with viremia and typical EHD vascular lesions. Here, we demonstrate a rVP2 subunit vaccine that can provide protective immunity from EHDV infection and which may serve as an effective tool in preventing clinical EHD and reducing virus transmission.