Project Number: 3625-32000-061-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 15, 2001
End Date: Nov 14, 2006

Objective:
Determine efficacy of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine in prevention of brucellosis in domestic and wild animals.Determine the duration of immunity to RB51 in cattle;Develop serological tests for detection of animals vaccinated with RB51.Sequence the B. abortus genome and identify genes that mediate protective immunity;Determine any adverse role B. suis plays in the brucellosis eradication program.Develop a vaccine that protects feral swine against infection with B. suis and prevents transmission to cattle.

Approach:
Efficacy of vaccination with strain RB51 (SRB51) will be determined by measuring immune responses and resistance to infection in vaccinated & nonvaccinated animals challenged with pathogenic Brucella;Protection of cattle against brucellosis following calfhood vaccination with SRB51 will be evaluated at 4,5 & 6 years to determine duration of protective immunity; Diagnostic tests to identify SRB51 vaccinated animals will be developed by adapting assays for detection of cell-mediated and humoral immune responses Systematic selection of candidate protective antigens will be accomplished by sequencing the B. abortus genome & computer assisted analyses of the annotated sequence;Protective antigens will be identified by DNA expression library immunization in a murine model followed by evaluation of promising antigens in cattle;Transmission of B. suis from swine to cattle will be evaluated to determine the risk that infected swine pose to the brucellosis eradication program;SRB51 will be evaluated as a vaccine to protect swine against infection with B. suis. BSL-2 Approved 10/17/2003 (IBC-#0199) BSL-3 Approved 10/15/03(IBC-#0198, 0222) BSL-3 Approved 10/17/03(IBC-#'s 0198, 0247) BSL-3 Approved 01/24/03(IBC-# 0258) BSL Expempt Approved 12/18/03(IBC-#0257)

Project Team

Olsen, Steven Stoffregen, William - Bill Whipple, Diana Bricker, Betsy Halling, Shirley

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Animal Health (103)

Related Projects

Field Efficacy of Brucella Abortus Strain Rb51 in Feral Swine    Development of a Brucellosis DNA Vaccine    Optimization of Novel Brucella Vaccines