Polyvalent Vaccine Research Articles

Strategies for Prevention of Infection in Nephrotic Children

Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) develop complications due to either the disease state or its treatment. Infections, thromboembolism and acute kidney injury are the most common complications in children with NS. Several studies in children with NS have reported that urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, peritonitis and sepsis are the most commonly reported infections. Infection is one of the common triggering factors for relapse, and prophylaxis against infections is required in patients unresponsive to steroids or with frequently relapsing disease. In this review article, we summarize the strategies for prevention of infections in NS. The most commonly studied drug for the prevention of infection in NS is intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIg), while other drugs include thymosin, oral transfer factor, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, mannan peptide tablet, polyvalent bacterial vaccine and Chinese herbal medications (Tiaojining and Huangqui granules). Several vaccination programs including pneumococcal, influenza A, varicella and measles have been effective in the prevention of infections in nephrotic children. However, established measures for preventing infections in nephrotic children are lacking, and to draw any conclusion, randomized controlled trials are required.

Vaccines in control of infectious diseases of swine

The study presents data concerning vaccines registered in the EU that are used in the prevention and control of viral and bacterial infectious diseases of swine in Poland. It discusses novel vaccines against infectious diseases of swine, such as ileitis, influenza A virus, and mycoplasmal pneumonia. The advantages of intradermal administration of selected vaccines against certain diseases are discussed. Selected problems regarding the efficacy of vaccination against influenza A virus and PRRS are underlined. The study points out that the efficacy of immunization with inactivated vaccines against PRRS is limited. This, however, may also be true of live vaccines against PRRS, since results of immunization with some live attenuated vaccines can be unsatisfactory as well. It is explained by the fact that there are relatively frequent genetic changes in the genome of the field PRRSV strains, unlike in the virus strain or strains used in the vaccine. Strategies to optimize the use of currently available vaccines against influenza A virus (IAV) are discussed. It is worth noting the high efficacy of the vaccine containing antigens of subtypes H1N1, H3N2, and H1N1 against influenza A virus. Vaccination against IAV induces the production of neutralizing antibodies and protection with a very similar strain. As far as vaccines against viral diseases of swine (pseudorabies, classical swine fever) are concerned, the marker vaccines appear to be very useful in differentiating infected animals from vaccinated ones (DIVA strategy). At the beginning of the 21st century, several new effective vaccines were developed, produced, and used against diarrheal diseases of different etiology and, for the first time, against oedema disease, ileitis, and enzootic pneumonia of swine. In view of the growing problem of mixed infections, the study presents several new vaccines containing multiple antigens of one pathogen (serotypes/genotypes) or different pathogens in combination (polyvalent vaccines). The study also discusses the role of the strategy of vaccination depending on the course of the infectious disease, the type of vaccine, as well as the production system of swine.

Specific synonymous mutations tightly correlate with HIV-1 co-receptor usage and differentially affect the secondary structure of HIV-1 Env RNA.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a pathogen that infects blood cells, using CD4 molecule and two cell receptors CCR5 and CXCR4. The other major actor is gp120/gp41 viral protein complex, which interacts with receptors. Here, the presence of synonymous mutations associated with HIV-1 tropism and the related RNA secondary-structure in HIV-1 infected patients was evaluated. The analysis includes gp120-sequences from 340 HIV-1 subtype-B infected patients, all retrieved from Los Alamos database and with phenotypic HIV tropism determination based on recombinant-virus entry-assay. Frequencies of all nucleotide substitutions were calculated. Mfold and RNAfold algorithms were used to predict RNA secondary-structure of HIV-1. Nineteen codons in V2/C2, V3 and C3 domains were found to be closely related to CCR5 and CXCR4. Additionally, in X4-sequences, gp120 gca303gcu and gua222guc synonymous mutations are positively related to the gp120 S11R and T8A/I codons in V3 protein domain. Furthermore, gua222guc increases stability of the viral RNA secondary-structure. Probably, it would not be surprising if a novel escape viral strategy therapy will be related to the gp120 synonymous mutations. Moreover, in relation to the pivotal role played by gp120 in polyvalent vaccine approaches, the impact of gp120 synonymous mutations may play an important role in HIV entry into the cell. Keywords: gp120; tropism; v3; s11r; evolution; vaccine.

Diagnosis Challenges and Control Strategies of Transboundary Diseases Presenting with Respiratory Signs in Small Ruminants in Developing Countries: Emphasis on Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia and Peste Des Petits Ruminants

Aims: To review the diagnosis challenges and control strategies of the diseases presenting with respiratory signs. The emphasis being more on two transboundary animal diseases of small ruminants; contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Clinical signs and postmortem lesions associated with the two diseases were also explicated.
 Study Design: Review.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Global Health, School of Life Science and Bio-Engineering (LiSBE), Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) from December 2017 to June 2020.
 Methodology: A comprehensive review was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 506 articles, handbooks, Master’s and PhD thesis and conference proceedings were collected and after removal of the duplicates 80.6% (424/526) passed the first stage. Of the remaining search materials, (n=291) were removed including handbooks, master’s and PhD thesis which did not originate from the developing countries, 31.4% (133/424) passed the second. Of the articles that passed the second stage, (n=85) were removed from the study, these included all articles that did not involve field diagnosis such as review papers and those not originating from the developing countries, 36.1% (48/133) passed the third stage. In the fourth stage, (n=5) articles which reported on retrospective cases and archived samples were removed and 43 articles were reviewed.
 Results: Out of the 526 documents retrieved, 43 were eligible for review as they met all criteria for inclusion. Control strategies were recommended in 44.2% (19/43) of the articles of which most of them 63.2%, 12/19) recommended vaccination as a control strategy. Most of the articles reported definitive diagnosis reached following laboratory involvement as majority of them involved outbreak investigation or research works which is not the case in routine diagnosis. The major clinical signs mentioned in the review articles including fever 60.9% (14/23), oculonasal discharge 87.0% (20/23), respiratory distress 82.6% (19/23), erosive stomatitis 43.5% (10/23), diarrhea 56.5% (13/23) and coughing 30.4% (7/23) have been discussed relating to the definitive diagnosis reached in reporting articles. On the other hand, postmortem lesions including lung consolidation 38.1% (8/21), intestinal hemorrhage 38.1% (8/21), lung congestion 28.6% (6/21), serofibrinous pleurisy 28.6% (6/21), pneumonic lungs 23.8% (5/21) and unilateral lung inflammation 14.3% (3/21), have been discussed in relation to the definitive diagnosis reached. 
 Conclusion: Despite the similarities in clinical signs and postmortem lesions associated with diseases presenting with respiratory signs, definitive diagnosis of CCPP was reached in cases that involved clinical signs and postmortem lesions confined in the respiratory system whereas, PPR was more diagnosed in cases that presented with clinical signs and postmortem lesions associating the digestive system. However, presence of respiratory signs in the cases the diagnosed PPR may implicate presence of unidentified secondary bacterial infections. Vaccinations being the most advocated approach of control, require a broader look to make sure that polyvalent vaccines are available against the four common diseases. Also, use of treatment to reduce the effect of secondary infecting bacteria may be of help. Furthermore, for effective outcomes of the control strategies, collaborative efforts among countries at risk should be advocated.

Lymphocyte proliferative responses in dairy cows supplemented with an immunomodulatory feed additive and administered polyvalent vaccination

Lymphocyte proliferative responses in dairy cows supplemented with an immunomodulatory feed additive and administered polyvalent vaccination

Molecular matching of circulating foot and mouth disease viruses and vaccinal strains in Egypt, 2016-2019.

Regardless mass vaccination programs in Egypt with inactivated polyvalent vaccines of FMDvirus. FMD virus is still persistent with major economic burden. Serotypes of FMD namely, A, O, and South African Territories (SAT2) are endemic with repeated outbreaks of new linage. So selection of appropriate vaccine is very difficult. In this study; Phylogenetic analysis of VP1 genome for the existing serotype (A, O, SAT2) between 2016 to 2019 approved circulation of serotype O of East Africa 3 (EA-3) topoype, AIran05 lineage and A Africa G-IV lineage of serotype A and topotype VII of serotype SAT2 including Alx-12 and Lib-12 lineages. Significant amino acid changes in critical antigenic sites between field isolates and vaccine strains were observed. The present findings indicate the importance of an active routine surveillance system incorporating antigenic and genetic analysis designated to continually update information about field isolates of FMDV. Such as this protocols might be affected on FMD strategy control in Egypt and surrounding country.

Immunogenicity and duration of immunity of the polyvalent vaccine against chicken salmonellosis

Poultry salmonellosis causes serious economic damage and must be prevented by disinfection, zoohygienic measures or by vaccination. To develop a new polyvalent vaccine against poultry salmonellosis, we used bacterial strains of Salmonella enteritidis, S. typhimurium and S. gallinarum. Antigenic and immunogenic efficacy of the vaccine was tested on specific-pathogen free chickens, which were divided into five groups of 10 birds in each group and were vaccinated intramuscularly at 8 and 12 weeks: group A (non-immunized control), group B (S. enteritidis mono-vaccine), group C (S. typhimurium mono-vaccine), group D (S. gallinarum mono-vaccine) and group E (trivalent vaccine Polimun Salmo). None of the immunized birds showed such adverse reactions as abnormal behaviour, mortality or signs of anorexia, depression or diarrhea. Two weeks after the revaccination, 5 birds in each group were challenged by watering 3 cm3 of working suspensions of S. gallinarum, S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis control strains at a concentration of 1 × 109 CFU. 72 h after the challenge, faeces were collected from all chickens in each group to identify Salmonella excretion with faeces, and the chickens were euthanized. Significant protection against the virulent challenge was observed in all immunized groups based on mortality and post-mortem lesions compared with the non-immunized control group. Blood samples were selected weekly from 5 chickens of each group for 184 days. The antigenic efficacy of the vaccines was studied by reaction of haemagglutination in the obtained serum. The potent antigen-specific response to lymphocyte activation found in all immunized groups indicated the induction of immune responses. Overall, the results showed that persistent immunity is formed in 4 weeks after the revaccination and lasts for a productive period. Immune response of chickens on day 184 after vaccination with Polimun Salmo was 1: 647, indicating that the developed polyvalent vaccine against common serovars of S. enterica in poultry is effective and immunogenic and can be further used in field studies.

Immune responses in mice vaccinated with a DNA vaccine expressing a new elastase from Trichinella spiralis

The elastase, which belongs to the serine protease family, hydrolyses various proteins and may be involved in the parasite invasion. In this study, complete sequence of elastase-1 (TsE) the nematode Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) was cloned into the plasmid pcDNA3.1 as TsE DNA vaccine. After intramuscular vaccination, serum anti-Trichinella antibodies (IgG and subclass IgG1/IgG2a, and IgA), total and specific intestinal mucosal sIgA in mice vaccinated with pcDNA3.1/TsE were measured by ELISA. The results showed that vaccination with pcDNA3.1/TsE induced a systemic humoral immune response (high levels of serum IgG and subclass IgG1/IgG2a and IgA) and local intestinal mucosal immune responses (high levels of TsE-specific sIgA). Vaccination of mice with TsE DNA vaccine also triggered a systemic and local concomitant Th1/Th2 response, as demonstrated by significant elevation of Th1 (IFN-γ and IL-2) / Th2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokine levels after the spleen, mesenteric lymph node and Peyer's patch cells from vaccinated mice were stimulated with recombinant TsE (rTsE). The vaccination of mice with pcDNA3.1/TsE displayed a 17% reduction of intestinal adult worms and a 39% reduction of muscle larvae. Our results indicated that TsE DNA vaccine elicited a systemic concomitant Th1/Th2 response and an enteral local sIgA response, and produced a partial protection against infection with T. spiralis. The TsE may be regarded as a potential candidate vaccine target against Trichinella infection. The oral polyvalent vaccines should be developed to improve the protective efficacy of anti-Trichinella vaccines.

Comparison of Pneumococcal Avidity and Antibody Concentration in Children with Recurrent Infections: A Retrospective Pilot Study

Measurement of pneumococcal antibody concentration is a frequently used parameter for functional antibody response to vaccination. Antibody concentration in response to vaccination and strength of antigen-antibody (avidity) interaction are both important measurements of functional antibody response. Both antibody concentration and avidity contribute to immunity against invasive pneumococcal disease. Higher avidity is correlated with increasing bactericidal activity and opsonophagocytosis. On the other hand, patients with lower pneumococcal avidity may be more likely to develop clinically significant pneumococcal sinopulmonary infections. Nine patients with recurrent bacterial respiratory infections were identified by retrospective chart review as having adequate pneumococcal antibody concentrations, but with low avidity for multiple serotypes following immunization with pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent (PPSV23). We assessed response with IgG replacement therapy in these patients. The mean number of serotypes with a normal antibody response (>1.3 mg/ml) among 9 children following immunization with pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent was 19.1 (range 12-22) of 23 serotypes while the mean number of serotypes with a normal avidity response (≥1.0) was 4.7 (range 2-7) of 23 serotypes. Flow cytometry was performed for 8 of the 9 patients prior to starting SCIG replacement therapy. 100% of the cohort experienced a significant decrease in yearly infection rate after starting immunoglobulin replacement. This is the first study to assess the clinical response to immune globulin replacement in patients with normal pneumococcal antibody response but poor pneumococcal avidity, and suggests that patients with poor pneumococcal avidity but apparent normal response by pneumococcal antibody following PPSV23 may benefit from IgG replacement therapy.

Recombinant Vibrio parahaemolyticus ghosts protect zebrafish against infection by Vibrio species

Aquatic animals are frequently threated by bacterial pathogens. The most economic and efficient protection against bacterial infection are through vaccine immunization. The various serotypes of the pathogens, such as Vibrios, hurdle the development of the vaccines, especially polyvalent vaccines. Here, we demonstrate that recombinant bacterial ghost is a good candidate for multivalent vaccine. By expressing PhiX174 gene E alone or co-expressing the gene E with two genes encoding outer membrane proteins (VP1667 and VP2369) in V. parahaemolyticus, we generated the recombinant V. parahaemolyticus ghosts VPG and rVPGs respectively. Fish immunized with either VPG or rVPG showed increased survival against the infection by either V. parahaemolyticus or V. alginolyticus, with a better protective effect by immunization with rVPG. Our furthermore studies show that rVPG stimulates stronger innate immune responses by increasing the expression of tnfα, il1β, il6, il8 and il10 as well as that of c3b, lyz, and tlr5, the key players linking the innate and adaptive immune responses upon microbial stimulation. In summary, VPG and rVPG can protect zebrafish against the infection from at least two Vibrio species, suggesting its potential value for further aquaculture vaccines development.

Protective efficacy of a polyvalent influenza A DNA vaccine against both homologous (H1N1pdm09) and heterologous (H5N1) challenge in the ferret model

This study describes the protective efficacy of a novel influenza plasmid DNA vaccine in the ferret challenge model. The rationally designed polyvalent influenza DNA vaccine encodes haemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins derived from less glycosylated pandemic H1N1 (2009) and H3N2 (1968) virus strains as well as the nucleoprotein (NP) and matrix proteins (M1 and M2) from a different pandemic H1N1 (1918) strain. Needle-free intradermal immunisation with the influenza DNA vaccine protected ferrets against homologous challenge with an H1N1pdm09 virus strain, demonstrated by restriction of viral replication to the upper respiratory tract and reduced duration of viral shedding post-challenge. Breadth of protection was demonstrated in two heterologous efficacy experiments in which animals immunised with the influenza DNA vaccine were protected against challenge with a highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus strain with reproducible survival and clinical outcomes.

Molecular characterization of a Trichinella spiralis serine proteinase

The aim of this study was to investigate the biological characteristics and functions of a Trichinella spiralis serine proteinase (TsSerp) during larval invasion and development in the host. The full-length TsSerp cDNA sequence was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The results of RT-PCR, IFA and western blotting analyses showed that TsSerp was a secretory protein that was highly expressed at the T. spiralis intestinal infective larva and muscle larva stages and primarily located at the cuticle, stichosome and intrauterine embryos of the parasite. rTsSerp promoted the larval invasion of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and the enteric mucosa, whereas an anti-rTsSerp antibody impeded larval invasion; the promotion and obstruction roles were dose-dependently related to rTsSerp and the anti-rTsSerp antibodies, respectively. Vaccination of mice with rTsSerp elicited a remarkable humoral immune response (high levels of serum IgG, IgG1/IgG2a, IgE and IgM), and it also triggered both systemic (spleen) and local intestinal mucosal mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cellular immune responses, as demonstrated by a significant elevation in Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4) after the spleen and MLN cells from vaccinated mice were stimulated with rTsSerp. Anti-TsSerp antibodies participated in the killing and destruction of newborn larvae via ADCC. The mice vaccinated with rTsSerp exhibited a 48.7% reduction in intestinal adult worms and a 52.5% reduction in muscle larvae. These results indicated that TsSerp participates in T. spiralis invasion and development in the host and might be considered a potential candidate target antigen to develop oral polyvalent preventive vaccines against Trichinella infection.

Can Repurposed Polyvalent Vaccine Boosters (like BCG) Limit Dementia Progression by Modifying Microglial Activation Phenotypes?

This article sets out a case for considering generally available polyvalent vaccines such as BCG, MMR and DPT to be repurposed for treating emerging cognitive decline in elderly people through reducing neuroinflammation via microglial activation. Up to now, treatments to reduce parenchymal oligomers such as Amyloid beta in Alzheimer’s disease have been clinically unsuccessful. Therefore, an alternative approach to try and directly attenuate microglial activation has utility.

Research progress on immune efficacy, safety, vaccination intention and immunization strategy of domestic enterovirus 71 vaccine after its marketing

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the main pathogens of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and the main pathogen of severe HFMD. In 2015, three EV71 vaccines were successively marketed in China as powerful prevention and control tools for HFMD caused by EV71. To understand the efficacy, immunogenicity, safety and quality stability of the domestic EV71 vaccine after entering into the market and analyze potential problems in its application, this article incorporates research regarding the immune effect, population effect, safety, quality testing and evaluation results, vaccination willingness and vaccination behavior survey to explore the vaccination strategies for the donll stic EV71 vaccine. EV71 vaccine has good immunogenicity, safety, protective efficacy, and good quality stability after entering into the market, however, only a few study focused on its safety when inoculating with other immunization planning vaccines simultaneously. Strengthen safety monitoring and discuss the safety of the EV71 vaccine especially when simultaneously inoculate with other immunization program vaccines are still necessary. Enterovirus evolution and recombination, whilst the probable impact of the EV71 vaccine can be the reason for future changes of HFMD epidemic strains, hence continuous monitoring of antigenic mutations and genetic evolution of enterovirus should be responded to. Encouraging the R&D of polyvalent vaccines against HFMD is also necessary. Parents' lack of HFMD and EV71 vaccine knowledge was common, therefore HFMD knowledge should be strengthened at the same time when introducing the EV71 vaccine to the public. Also, it should be emphasized that the EV71 vaccine can only prevent HFMD caused by EV71.

Broadly neutralizing plasma antibodies effective against autologous circulating viruses in infants with multivariant HIV-1 infection

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) develop in a subset of HIV-1 infected individuals over 2–3 years of infection. Infected infants develop plasma bnAbs frequently and as early as 1-year post-infection suggesting factors governing bnAb induction in infants are distinct from adults. Understanding viral characteristics in infected infants with early bnAb responses will provide key information about antigenic triggers driving B cell maturation pathways towards induction of bnAbs. Herein, we evaluate the presence of plasma bnAbs in a cohort of 51 HIV-1 clade-C infected infants and identify viral factors associated with early bnAb responses. Plasma bnAbs targeting V2-apex on the env are predominant in infant elite and broad neutralizers. Circulating viral variants in infant elite neutralizers are susceptible to V2-apex bnAbs. In infant elite neutralizers, multivariant infection is associated with plasma bnAbs targeting diverse autologous viruses. Our data provides information supportive of polyvalent vaccination approaches capable of inducing V2-apex bnAbs against HIV-1.

The influence of smoking on bacterial resistance after vaccine or antibiotic prophylaxis against recurrent urinary tract infections

IntroductionThe influence of tobacco on the microbiological spectrum, resistance-sensitivity pattern and evolution in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) is analyzed. Evaluation of the effect of polyvalent bacterial vaccine on the prevention of RUTI and smoking status. Material and methodsRetrospective multicenter study of 855 women with RUTI receiving suppressive antibiotic treatment or bacterial vaccine between 2009 and 2013. Group A (GA): Antibiotic (n = 495). Subgroups: GA1 non-smoker (n = 417), GA2 smoker (n = 78). Group B (GB): Vaccine (n = 360). Subgroups: GB1 non-smoker (n = 263), GB2 smoker (n = 97). Variables: Age, pre-treatment UTI, disease-free time (DFT), microbial species, sensitivity and resistance. Follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months with culture and SF-36 questionnaire. ResultsMean age 56.51 years (18–75), similar between groups (p = 0.2257). No difference in the number of pretreatment UTIs (p = 0.1329) or in the distribution of the bacterial spectrum (p = 0.7471). DFT was higher in subgroups B compared with A. Urine cultures in GA1: E. coli 62.71% with 8.10% resistance (33% quinolones; 33% cotrimoxazole; 33% quinolones + cotrimoxazole); in GA2 E. coli 61.53% with 75% resistance (16.66% quinolones; 33.33% quinolones + cotrimoxazole; 16.66% amoxicillin-clavulanate; 16.66% erythromycin + phosphomycin + clindamycin) (p = 0, 0133). There were no differences between patients of GA treated with cotrimoxazole and nitrofurantoin (p = 0.8724). Urine cultures in GB1: E. coli 47.36% with 22.22% resistance (5.55% ciprofloxacin; 5.55% cotrimoxazole; 5.55% ciprofloxacin + cotrimoxazole; 5.55% amoxicillin / clavulanic acid). In GB2 E.coli 70.02% with 61.90% resistances (30.76% quinolones; 30.76% cotrimoxazole; 30.76% quinolones + cotrimoxazole; 17.69% amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) (p = 0,0144). ConclusionsThe development of bacterial resistance is more frequent among women with smoking habits and recurrent urinary infections. This could influence a worse response to preventive treatments, either with antibiotics or vaccines.

Evaluation of response to anti-leptospira bacterin vaccination in pregnant ewes and the passive transfer of antibodies to their offspring

Leptospirosis in sheep is often underestimated, and leads to great economic losses for the sheep farming industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune response in pregnant ewes, after the injection of a commercial polyvalent vaccine for leptospirosis, and to observe the transmission of anti-Leptospira antibodies through the colostrum to the offspring. For this, 24 pregnant ewes were vaccinated for leptospirosis. Blood samples were collected prior to vaccination and then 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days after vaccination. In order to evaluate passive immunity transfer, blood samples of 32 lambs were collected during the first 48 hours after birth, and another collection was performed 10 to 21 days after birth. The lambs were placed into 2 groups: Group A (n=16): singleton lambs; and group B (n=16): twins. The sera samples were submitted to the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), in which 21 Leptospira serovars were tested. The results were analyzed in a descriptive form. The number of sheep reactive to MAT gradually increased until 21 days after vaccination, and decreased right after. Of all the serovars contained in the vaccine, the largest proportion of animals were seroconverted to Hardjoprajtino serovar, Serjoe serogroup. Anti-Leptospira antibodies transferred through colostrum to lambs were detected by MAT in the serum collected 24-48 hours after birth. It was observed that 65.6% (21 out of 32) of the lambs were reactive. In the subsequent collections that occurred from 10 to 21 days after birth, a decrease in the number of animals reactive to the MAT was detected. There was no significant statistical difference for the passive transfer of antibodies between single or twin lambs.

Application of Surfagon and Ketaprofen for increasing fertility and preventing embryonic death in cows after insemination

Nowadays only 30–50% of inseminated cows actually calve and the majority of pregnancy loses happens during the first 2–3 weeks after insemination. Fertility rate of heifers and cows with average milk production is from 90% to 100%, but in high producing animals that are influenced by stress, such rate can be reduced to 80%. Our experimental researches were conducted in conditions of dairy farms of Poltava and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine in summer of 2020. Estrus synchronizing in cows was started from 50-60 days after calving in Summer time. To prevent Infectious Rinotracheitis, Viral Diarrhea, Parainfluenza 3 in dairy herds cows were vaccinated with polyvalent vaccinations usually before or at the beginning of dry period. Before estrus synchronization trans-rectal sonographic examination was done in all cows to determine condition of uterus and ovaries. During the trial the herd of cows was divided in two groups depending on length of period from calving to estrus synchronizing. In the first group were cows up to 90 days after calving, in the second group – 91 and more days. We registered that Estrus synchronization accordingly to OVSYNCH protocol in 50-90 days (first group) and 91 and more days (second group) after the calving and using Surfagon on day 5 after insemination promote an increasing of cows fertility in the second group on 5.8% compare to control. At the same time combined using of Surfagon on 5-th and Ainil on 11-th day after insemination in cows of first group promotes their fertility on 7.5% compare to control animals of this group, and in the second group this increased on 12.6%. At the time of repeated pregnancy diagnostic of cows in 60-65 days there was established absence of previously determined pregnancy in 5.0-11.0% of animals, that was the evidence of late embryonic death. When Surfagon was used in cows on day 5 after insemination frequency of embryonic death was decreased in 1.7 times or by 4.7% compare to the control group of cows. Combined using of Surfagon on day 5 and Ainil on day 11 promoted decreasing of embryonic death in 2.3 times or by 6.4% (p≥0.05).

Designing novel epitope-based polyvalent vaccines against herpes simplex virus-1 and 2 exploiting the immunoinformatics approach

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a highly infectious virus that is responsible for various types of orofacial and genital infections. Two types of HSV exist i.e. HSV-1 and HSV-2, that are infecting millions of people around the world. However, no satisfactory treatment or counter-measure has yet been discovered to fight against the HSV infections. In this study, three possible polyvalent subunit vaccines against multiple strains of HSV-1 and HSV-2, targeting the envelope glycoproteins- E, B, and D, were designed using the tools of reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatics. The highly antigenic, non-allergenic, non-toxic, non-homolog (to the human proteome), and 100% conserved epitopes across the selected strains and species (eight epitopes from each of the CTL, HTL, and BCL epitope groups), were selected for vaccine construction. These designed vaccines are expected to be effective against the selected viral types simultaneously (as a polyvalent vaccine), without producing any unwanted adverse reaction within the body. Finally, from the three vaccine constructs, one best vaccine was determined by molecular docking analysis and thereafter, the MD simulation and immune simulation studies of the best vaccine construct also yielded satisfactory results, pointing towards quite good stability of the complex. Finally, in silico cloning was performed for analyzing the effective mass production strategy of the best vaccine construct. However, wet lab-based study should be conducted on the suggested vaccines for validating their potentiality, safety, and efficacy. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Efficacy of commercial polyvalent avian infectious bronchitis vaccines against Chinese QX-like and TW-like strain via different vaccination strategies

The infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is an acute and highly contagious disease, which affects chickens of all ages. Vaccination is the most important way to control this disease. Nevertheless, novel variant strains are constantly reported because of the lack of proofreading capabilities of RNA polymerase and high frequency of homologous RNA recombination. Cross-protection studies has demonstrated that the vaccines could provide great protective effects against viruses of same serotype or genotype. However, the protective effect of different commercial vaccines and vaccine combinations against the prevalent IBV strains in China has rarely been studied. Owing to the multiple genotype or serotype IBV strains prevalence in China, the polyvalent vaccines and their composition were used to expanding the protection spectrum of vaccine in practical application. To evaluate the protection of Chinese commercial IBV polyvalent vaccines against prevalent strains (QX-like and TW I-like), an immune challenge test was conducted. Four polyvalent vaccines, containing 4/91, H120, YX10p90, LDT3-A, and 28/86, were combined to form 8 vaccination strategies, almost all of which could provide more than 70% protection effects against challenge with QX-like strain. Particularly, the best protection rate (93%) was generated by administration the polyvalent vaccine C (H120 + 28/86 + 4/91) at 1 D of age and the polyvalent vaccine B (H120 + 4/91 + YX10p90) at 10 D of age. However, all the vaccination strategies in this study cannot provide great protective effects against TW-like strain, and more vaccines should be included in studies to expand the protection spectrum of vaccine. Therefore, for the newly emerging IBV strains, immunization with polyvalent vaccines via different vaccination strategies could be used to control the prevalence of IBV in a short time, whereas developing the homologous vaccines was not always necessary.