The Effect of Oral Vaccination with Mycobacterium bovis BCG on the Development of Tuberculosis in Captive European Badgers (Meles meles)

• DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00006
• Publication Date: 2017-01-23T22:38:03Z
• Authors: Mark A. Chambers; Frank Aldwell; Gareth A. Williams; Si Palmer; Sonya Gowtage; Roland Ashford; Deanna J. Dalley; Dipesh Davé; Ute Weyer; Francisco J. Salg...; Alejandro Nunez; Allan K. Nadian; Timothy Crawshaw; Leigh A. L. Corner; Sandrine Lesellier
• Keywords: Meles; BCG vaccine; Bovine tuberculosis

The European badger (Meles meles) is a reservoir host of Mycobacterium bovis and responsible for proportion the tuberculosis (TB) cases seen in cattle United Kingdom Republic Ireland. An injectable preparation bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine licensed use badgers UK its forms part bovine TB eradication plans England Wales. However, there are practical limitations to widespread application an research priority development oral deliverable bait. Previous studies reported successful vaccination with preparations 108 colony forming units (CFU) both Pasteur Danish strains BCG contained within lipid matrix composed triglycerides fatty acids. Protection against these was expressed as reduction number apparent progression visible lesions, reductions bacterial load dissemination infection. To reduce cost potential environmental contamination BCG, it necessary define minimal efficacious dose badgers. objectives two here were compare efficacy strain unformulated given orally, evaluate at ten-fold lower than previously evaluated In first study, reduced lesions infection from lung. second produced similar outcome, but greater intra-group variability higher study. Further needed before we able recommend final or know whether wild will significantly transmission disease.