INDUCTION OF PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY IN RABBITS BY COADMINISTRATION OF INACTIVATED PASTEURELLA-MULTOCIDA TOXIN AND POTASSIUM THIOCYANATE EXTRACT

Pasteurella multocida is a bacterial pathogen that causes rhinitis (sn uffles), pneumonia, otitis media, septicemia, metritis, and death in d omestic rabbits. Currently, there are no effective vaccines to prevent infection by this organism. Subcutaneous (s.c.) immunization with eit her exotoxin or thiocyanate extracts of P. multocida induces partial p rotection in rabbits, Since disease begins at mucosal sites, induction of local immunity may be important in preventing systemic disease. Li ttle is known concerning the efficacy of intranasal (i.n.) administrat ion of these antigens in inducing protective mucosal immunity to P, mu ltocida in rabbits, The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to inve stigate the effectiveness of vaccination with purified P, multocida to xin (PMT) and a potassium thiocyanate extract of P, maltocida (CN) in combination and (ii) to evaluate the efficacy of administration of the se antigens i,n, versus s,c, Forty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into eight different treatment groups, Rabbits received either one or both antigens by either s,c, or i,n, administration. Following vaccin ation, each group received an i,n, challenge of P. multocida, Rabbits vaccinated with both antigens i,n, or s,c, had a 100% survival rate, f ew or no bacteria in the liver and lungs, high serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibody titers, and significant numbers of IgG antibody -secreting cells (ASC) in the spleen and tracheobronchial lymph node. Rabbits vaccinated i.n, had significant nasal and bronchoalveolar lava ge IgA antibody levels, Rabbits vaccinated with only one antigen, eith er PMT or CN, had lower antibody titers, moderate to severe liver and lung infections, and fewer ASC compared to rabbits receiving both anti gens. Rabbits in the control groups had moderate to severe liver and l ung infections. This study indicates that i,n, immunization with both PMT and CN induces an effective response against homologous P, multoci da challenge.