Development and Evaluation of a Combined Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) Live Vaccine

Abstract

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) is the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease of cattle caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). LSD and CBPP are both transboundary diseases spreading in the same areas of Africa and Asia. A combination vaccine to control CBPP and LSD offers significant value to small-scale livestock keepers as a single administration. Access to a bivalent vaccine may improve vaccination rates for both pathogens. In the present study, we evaluated the LSDV/CBPP live combined vaccine by testing the generation of virus neutralizing antibodies, immunogenicity, and safety on target species. In-vitro assessment of the Mycoplasma effect on LSDV growth in cell culture was evaluated by infectious virus titration and qPCR during 3 serial passages, whereas in-vivo interference was assessed through the antibody response to vaccination. This combined Mmm/LSDV vaccine could be used to protect cattle against both diseases with a single vaccination in the endemic countries. There were no adverse reactions detected in this study and inoculated cattle produced high levels of specific antibodies starting from day 7 post-vaccination, suggesting that this combination vaccine is both safe and effective.

Keywords: Lumpy skin disease (LSD); Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm); combined Mmm/LSDVvaccine; contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP).

Figure 1

CPE of LSDV separated and in co-infection with Mmm on LT cell culture (×400). (A) LT infected with Mmm alone. (B) LSDV CPE effect, (C) Mmm/LSDV co-culturing CPE effect on LT cells.

Figure 2

Percentage of seropositive cattle for Mmm and LSDV vaccinated with Mmm and LSDV monovalent vaccines vs. Mmm/LSDV combined vaccines monitored 3 months. D: Days M: Months.

Figure 3

Mean neutralizing antibody titers of seropositive cattle vaccinated with LSDV and Mmm/LSDV vaccines monitored 3 months. Data shown are means of at least three neutralization experiments. D: Days M: Months.