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Vaccination with Virus‐Like Particles Induces Long Lasting Protection from Experimentally Induced Sarcoid‐Like Tumours in Horses
Author(s) -
Hainisch E.K.,
Harnacker J.,
ShaftiKeramat S.,
Kirnbauer R.,
Brandt S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.12323_33
Subject(s) - horse , vaccination , antibody , inoculation , virus , medicine , titer , virology , veterinary medicine , biology , immunology , paleontology
Reasons for performing study We have already demonstrated that vaccination with empty BPV 1 capsids termed virus‐like particles ( VLP ) protects horses from experimental infection with BPV 1 virion. Long‐term monitoring of antibody titres in experimental horses and data from other species suggest that this protection is long lasting. Objectives To test protection against experimental infection with BPV ‐1 virion in horses that were vaccinated with BPV ‐1 L 1 VLP approximately 5 years earlier. Study design Controlled experiment. Methods Seven horses, vaccinated 3 times (boosters after 4 weeks and 6 months) in 2007/2008 with doses of BPV 1 L 1 VLP ranging from 50 μg to 150 μg/dose and 3 unvaccinated control horses were challenged by intra‐dermal inoculation with cow wart derived BPV 1 virion (5 × 10 7 BPV ‐1 virions per wheal, 10 wheals per horse). Inoculation sites were monitored for 10 weeks. Blood for serum antibody titre determination by pseudovirion neutralisation assay was taken on the day of challenge and after 6 months. Results Six of 7 vaccinated horses had measurable serum antibody titres (1:50 to 1:400). These titres were boosted by inoculation (about one step of dilution). Two of 3 unvaccinated controls remained sero‐negative. One control horse showed sero‐conversion. All control horses developed tumours at all 10 inoculation sites. Tumours appeared approximately 2 weeks after inoculation and reached maximum sizes of up to 8 mm. Regression was complete by 8 weeks after their first appearance in all horses. All vaccinated horses remained completely free from tumours. No influence of dose rate or antibody titre on the level of protection could be determined. Conclusions BPV ‐1 L 1 VLP vaccination proves to be fully effective in protecting horses from experimental infection and tumour formation 5 years post immunisation. The protection was complete even in horses with low or unmeasurable antibody titres. This is another step towards establishing a vaccination against equine sarcoids. Ethical animal research: This experiment was approved by the institutional ethics committee and the national authority under license N o: GZ : 68.205/0144‐ II /3b/2012. Sources of funding: Veterinary University Vienna, A ustrian Research Fund ( FWF ). Competing interests: None.