Development and production of vaccines against abortion caused by Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii in small ruminants

Abstract

Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii are obligate intracellular parasites, small Gram-negative bacteria, which are aetiological agents of abortion in small ruminants. The organisms also have zoonotic potential, which highlights the importance of the prevention of the transmission of these diseases. Treatment of infected animals with oxytetracycline and its derivatives, can limit abortions, but does not suppress the bacterial excretion, therefore the only effective solution against the infection is the prevention by vaccination. To produce and make available such vaccines, is a long process from the emergence of a concept, through feasibility, development, production, control until obtaining marketing authorisation, and it can take 5–10 years or more. After registration, pharmacovigilance follows the vaccines on the field. C. burnetii and Cp. abortus present serious health risk to humans (Class II and III micro-organisms), thus the propagation of living bacteria is performed in confined Class III areas. Our vaccine strain against chlamydiosis is Cp. abortus 1B ts, whilst the strain of vaccine developed against coxiellosis is C. burnetii Nine Mile phase I. We present hereby the advantages of these vaccines produced with the strains mentioned above over other, existing vaccines and describe their major phases of production.