Comparison of susceptibility of different goat breeds to live attenuated goatpox vaccine

Abstract

Goatpox in small ruminants is the most acute pox disease in domestic animals, playing an important role in their health. Vaccination and biosecurity are the two main strategies to control the disease in countries where goatpox is enzootic. In this study, the susceptibility and reactions of three pure breeds (Saanen, Alpine, and Murcia-Granada) and two hybrid breeds (Saanen-Mahabadi and Alpine-Mahabadi) vaccinated with live attenuated goatpox vaccine were compared. The first cases of pox lesions (PLs) were reported 21–27 days after vaccination, and the most disease-affected goats were observed in the pure Saanen breed with 89.9% morbidity and 27% mortality. Only pure Saanen and Alpine breeds showed reactions to the goatpox vaccine. The Saanen was much more responsive to the goatpox vaccine than the Alpine. Murcia-Granada and a hybrid of Saanen-Mahabadi and Alpine-Mahabadi breeds vaccinated at the same time presented no symptoms and goat PLs. This sensitivity to live goatpox vaccines suggests that safer vaccines should be used in some breeds. Therefore, inactivated goatpox vaccines may be a good choice for vaccination in susceptible goat breeds.