Safety and immunogenicity of an intranasal vaccine against pneumonic mannheimiosis of sheep and goats following field vaccination

Background: Pneumonic mannheimiosis is an important respiratory disease that inhibits production in sheep and goats. It is associated with stress, resulting in 10% to 40% mortality. The disease should be effectively controlled. Aim: This field vaccination trial evaluates the safety and immunity of a newly manufactured vaccine (STVac7™) against pneumonic mannheimiosis in sheep and goats. Methods: A sheep and a goat breeder farm were identified, before 2 groups of breeder sheep with 80 animals per group, and 2 groups of breeder goats with 50 animals per group were selected. Group 1 sheep and goats were vaccinated intranasally, while Group 2 remained unvaccinated. Vaccinations were conducted on weeks 0 and 2. Throughout the 24-week (sheep) and 12-week (goats) study periods, animal management in both farms remained unchanged. Serum samples were collected from both groups before and at weekly intervals after vaccination, while nasal swabs were collected at monthly intervals. Adverse effects, including sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, and mortality, were noted weekly throughout the study period. Results: Intranasal vaccination did not cause significant side effects in sheep and goats, although mild nasal discharge and coughing were occasionally observed. Only one non-vaccinated ewe (1.3%; p > 0.05) died despite the identification of M. haemolytica in the nasal cavity of the majority of the sheep and goats. Following vaccination, antibody levels showed significant increase and remained significantly high (p < 0.05) throughout the study period. Conclusion: Intranasal vaccination of sheep and goats with STVac7™ is safe and well tolerated, resulting in high serum antibody levels and maintaining the health status of the animals during the stressful monsoon season.

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