One of the most important tools against
foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious and variable
viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, is vaccination. However, the effectiveness of
foot-and-mouth disease vaccines on slowing the spread of the disease is questionable. In contrast, high potency
vaccines providing early protection may solve issues with the spread of the disease, escaping mutants, and persistency. To increase the potency of the
vaccine, additives such as
saponin and
aluminium hydroxide are used. However, the use of
saponin with an oil adjuvant is not common and is sometimes linked to toxicity.
QS-21, which is less toxic than
Quil A, has been presented as an alternative for use with
saponin. In this study, the addition of
QS-21 to a commercially available
foot-and-mouth disease water-in-oil-in-water
emulsion vaccine was evaluated in cattle.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: After vaccination, serum samples were collected periodically over 3 months. Sera of the
QS-21 and normal oil
vaccine groups were compared via serum virus neutralization antibody titre and liquid phase blocking
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay antibody titre.
RESULTS: