Safety and Protective Efficacy of a Candidate Vector-Based Vaccine for Bovine Tuberculosis

Abstract

This study presents the results of a survey of the safety and protective efficacy of a candidate vector-based vaccine for bovine tuberculosis, using an influenza vector with the NS1 mutation and expressing M. bovis protective antigens ESAT-6 and TB10.4. We vaccinated Balb/c outbred mice two times at 21 days apart. Our experimental design includes mice immunised with the candidate vaccine with or without adjuvant 15% Montanide Gel. The candidate vaccine’s safety was determined by biometric analysis, and protective efficacy was assessed by bacteriological and histological experiments following a virulent M. bovis-8 strain challenge. Our data indicated that the adjuvant-free version of the vaccine ensured complete protection from the M. bovis-8 infection in mice.