Project Number: 1940-32000-035-03
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Aug 01, 2000
End Date: Dec 31, 2004

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to overcome the problem of empirically deriving foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus strains for use as seed stocks in the preparation of FMD vaccines. Specifically, we will determine if genetically engineered FMD virus strains can be used as seed stocks for the preparation of vaccines.

Approach:
FMD is economically the most important viral disease of livestock, the number one foreign animal disease threat to the United States (US), and the most significant disease impacting free-trade in animals and animal products internationally. In South Africa (SA) the control of FMD is complicated by the presence of free-living African buffalo that act as maintenance hosts for the virus and pose a constant threat to susceptible livestock. Currently used FMD vaccines are whole virus, inactivated with an imine and formulated with an adjuvant. These vaccines can be effective as part of disease control programs. Due to the high variability of the SAT viruses, new vaccine strains need to be developed frequently by empirical adaptation of virus to cell culture. Cell culture adaptation is regularly unsuccessful and the viruses often change during adaptation, producing inadequate vaccine stocks. Our approach to solving this problem is to utilize ARS technology to genetically engineer FMD viruses to produce better vaccine strains by rational design.

Project Team

Baxt, Barry Wilna Vosloo - Division Head, Exotic Diseases Division, Ovi 631-323-3177

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Animal Health (103)