Humoral response to an equine encephalitis vaccine in healthy alpacas

Daniela Bedenice Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536.

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 Dr med vet, DACVIM, DACVECC
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Amy Bright Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital, 299 Calef Hwy, Epping, NH 03042.

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Douglas D. Pedersen National Veterinary Services Laboratories, 1800 Dayton Ave, Ames, IA 50010.

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Jack Dibb Climate Change Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.234.4.530
Volume/Issue:
Volume 234: Issue 4
Online Publication Date:
15 Feb 2009
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Abstract

Objective—To determine humoral responses to an equine encephalitis vaccine in healthy alpacas.

Design—Clinical trial.

Animals—39 healthy alpacas on 1 farm and 86 healthy alpacas on a second farm.

Procedures—All alpacas were given 3 doses IM of a bivalent, killed-virus equine encephalitis vaccine, with 4 weeks between doses. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus neutralizing antibody responses were determined with a plaque reduction neutralization assay every 14 days in alpacas on the first farm and 70 days after the first dose of vaccine on the second farm.

Results—For alpacas on the first farm, geometric mean virus neutralizing antibody titer peaked 2 weeks after the third vaccine dose was given (ie, day 70). At this time, 29 of 38 (76%) animals were seropositive for antibodies against EEE virus, and percentage of animals ≤ 2 years old that were seropositive (16/17) was significantly higher than percentage of animals > 6 years old that were seropositive (1/5). For alpacas on the second farm, 76 (88%) were seropositive on day 70, and percentage of animals ≤ 2 years old that were seropositive (24/24) was significantly higher than percentage of animals > 6 years old that were seropositive (27/33). For both farms, geometric mean titer on day 70 was significantly higher in animals < 2 years old than in animals > 6 years old.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that inoculation of alpacas with 3 doses of a bivalent, killed-virus equine encephalitis vaccine induced a humoral antibody response against EEE virus.

Abstract

Objective—To determine humoral responses to an equine encephalitis vaccine in healthy alpacas.

Design—Clinical trial.

Animals—39 healthy alpacas on 1 farm and 86 healthy alpacas on a second farm.

Procedures—All alpacas were given 3 doses IM of a bivalent, killed-virus equine encephalitis vaccine, with 4 weeks between doses. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus neutralizing antibody responses were determined with a plaque reduction neutralization assay every 14 days in alpacas on the first farm and 70 days after the first dose of vaccine on the second farm.

Results—For alpacas on the first farm, geometric mean virus neutralizing antibody titer peaked 2 weeks after the third vaccine dose was given (ie, day 70). At this time, 29 of 38 (76%) animals were seropositive for antibodies against EEE virus, and percentage of animals ≤ 2 years old that were seropositive (16/17) was significantly higher than percentage of animals > 6 years old that were seropositive (1/5). For alpacas on the second farm, 76 (88%) were seropositive on day 70, and percentage of animals ≤ 2 years old that were seropositive (24/24) was significantly higher than percentage of animals > 6 years old that were seropositive (27/33). For both farms, geometric mean titer on day 70 was significantly higher in animals < 2 years old than in animals > 6 years old.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that inoculation of alpacas with 3 doses of a bivalent, killed-virus equine encephalitis vaccine induced a humoral antibody response against EEE virus.

Contributor Notes

Dr. Bright's present address is Ande's Veterinary Service, 280 Raymond Rd, Candia, NH 03034.

Supported by the Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF) and New England Alpaca Owners and Breeder Association (NEAOBA).

Vaccines were donated by Intervet Incorporated, Millsboro, Del.

Presented in part at the International Camelid Conference, Corvallis, Ore, March 2007.

The authors thank Dr. Loise Maranda for assistance with statistical analyses.

Address correspondence to Dr. Bedenice.
Cover Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Publication Date:
15 Feb 2009
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