Efficacy of heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis vaccine delivered to European badgers (Meles meles) through edible bait

ABSTRACT: Badgers (Meles meles) are a major tuberculosis (TB) reservoir in Europe, with the potential to transmit infection to cattle. Here we assessed whether a recently described oral tuberculosis vaccine based on heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (HIMB), delivered as edible baits, can protect badgers from infection. Eight badgers were given individually five baits, each one consisting of a ball of peanut butter, natural peanut and oat flakes including a dose of the vaccine containing 5 × 107 colony-forming units. In parallel, a control group of seven badgers did not receive the vaccine. One month and a half later a second dose of the vaccine was offered to the vaccinated group. Ninety-four days after the second dose, all badgers were challenged with M. bovis (103 colony-forming units per anima

SUBMITTER: Juste R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10474426 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature