P.PSH.1076 - Product development of a new cattle tick vaccine
Cattle ticks cost Australian cattle industries approximately $161M per annum in economic losses, primarily through decreased production.
| Project start date: | 31 March 2018 |
| Project end date: | 30 August 2021 |
| Publication date: | 01 May 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Northern Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory |
Summary
A reverse vaccinology ‘genomic’ approach and individual antigen screening trials identified ~20 antigens for development as novel cattle tick vaccine candidates. B.AHE.0212 recommends the development of three of these antigens. This project aims to identify a cattle tick vaccine candidate with >80% efficacy and demonstrated >6 month duration of immunity.
Objectives
The project objectives are as follows:
- demonstration of geographically conserved tick antigen sequences
- more efficient preparations of mixed peptides and or single recombinant proteins to ensure high anti-tick vaccine efficacies
- improved understanding antibody isotypes from cattle with strong vaccine efficacies
- demonstrated longevity of vaccines with protection from exposure to natural tick infestations
- development of a more effective vaccine for cattle ticks with wide applicability for commercial impact.
Key findings
A dual vaccine containing recombinant proteins 6 & 7 and a single vaccine with recombinant protein 7 demonstrated 86% and 82% efficacies respectively. Conservation of proteins 6 & 7 with different clades of Rhipicephalus microplus species was demonstrated, with high conservation of protein 7 across other tick species.
Benefits to industry
A new vaccine will prove beneficial to the cattle industry through increased productivity and reduced costs due to a reduction in tick fever transmission. Improved animal welfare and increased market access are also a result of the new vaccine development. The decreased use of chemicals will provide wide benefits to the red meat industry, enabling the production of clean, green, sustainable beef.
A new cattle tick vaccine with greater >80% efficacy and a minimum requirement of two boosts per year will improve management of ticks in northern Australia.
MLA action
MLA will continue to invest in the development of vaccines for the red meat industry to improve productivity, and improve disease management.
Future research
Future research needs to consider dosage and minimal boosting required for on-going protection of cattle during a long term two year trial. A simultaneous commercial trial should be conducted in Latin America to confirm the international relevance of the vaccine candidates.
Research to establish master seeds for antigen production for the development of a commercial product is required.
Commercial commitment and consultation with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine next steps required for product registration. In the future, the vaccine developed will have to go through product registration trials. Once this is complete it will then be commercially available.
More information
| Project manager: | Michael Laurence |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
