THE USE OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE AS AN ENHANCER OF THE VACCINE AGAINST FOOT-AND-MOUTH-DISEASE

The immunization of biungulate animals with killed foot-and-mouth dise ase virus (FMDV) requires periodic vaccinations due to a low vaccine i mmunogenicity. Therefore, FMDV antigens need to be combined with adjuv ants such as aluminum hydroxide, saponin or oil emulsions. Animal hand ling for periodic inoculations, and the repeated doses of vaccines tha t have to be administered increase the commercialization costs. Moreov er, the use of adjuvants may induce adverse effects. In the present wo rk we show that it is possible to increase the life span of neutralizi ng antibodies in serum when a single dose of cyclophosphamide (Cy) is administered four days before vaccination with aluminum hydroxide-sapo nin FMDV vaccine.