B.AHE.2026: Evaluation of anti tick vaccines for immunological control | 2023
Cattle ticks are the most severe parasite affecting the Australian cattle industry, resulting in annual losses estimated to be $161 million?
| Publication date: | 10 March 2023 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Northern Australia |
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Summary
Cattle ticks are the most important parasite affecting the Australian cattle industry, resulting in annual losses exceeding $160M. Sustainable and effective control of cattle ticks through vaccination is a well-established approach, however there are no vaccines registered for the control of cattle ticks in Australia. To address this issue, this project evaluated the capacity of three Cuban cattle tick vaccine formulations to protect cattle from cattle-tick larval infestations. The first formulation evaluated was Gavac™ which is registered for use in Cuba and parts of South America. Gavac™ is similar in composition to a vaccine that was once registered for use in Australia, with both containing the cattle-tick antigen Bm86. The second formulation consisted of the recently discovered cattle-tick antigen, P0 peptide, linked to an immune carrier. The third formulation contained the P0 peptide linked to Bm86. All three formulations elicited detectable antigen-specific antibody responses in immunised cattle. The capacities of these immune responses to protect cattle from infestation by cattle tick larvae were also evaluated. Vaccine efficacy estimates were determined for each formulation based on the reproductive characteristics of engorged adult female ticks recovered from the infested cattle. The reproductive efficacy estimates for Gavac™, P0-KLH, and P0-Bm86 were 49.3%, 22.3% and 31.4%, respectively. Based on these estimates Gavac™ may be of use in combating cattle tick infestations in Australia.
Objectives
The objective of this project was to evaluate the capacity of Gavac™ to protect cattle from induced infestation with cattle tick larvae. The performance of Gavac™was also compared to two other cattle tick prototype vaccines that have been developed in Cuba.
Key findings
The reproductive efficacy estimates for Gavac™, P0, and P0-Bm86 were 49.3%, 22.3% and 31.4%, respectively. These estimates are well below those reported for these formulations in published studies. Further research would be needed to determine if the efficacy of Gavac™ is high enough to impact on the population dynamics of cattle ticks in the field.
Benefits to industry
An effective cattle tick vaccine would reduce industry reliance on chemical control methods, and might allow the introduction of the taurine genotype to the northern herd, in response to consumer demand for better beef eating quality. It has been estimated that optimal control of cattle ticks would return $161M in lost productivity to northern Australian cattle producers. An effective cattle tick vaccine would be a vital component of an integrated pest-management system to deliver this return to industry.
Future research
Currently cattle ticks are controlled by relying on the indicine genotype and using chemicals. However, there are increasing reports of cattle ticks developing resistance to the current range of acaricides. Previously, an effective cattle tick vaccine was available in Australia but is no longer available. A similar vaccine, Gavac™, is manufactured in Cuba for domestic use and some parts of South America. Both vaccines contain the well-characterised cattle tick antigen Bm86.
The reproductive efficacy estimates for Gavac™, P0, and P0-Bm86 were 49.3%, 22.3% and 31.4%, respectively. These estimates are well below those reported for these formulations in published studies. Further research would be needed to determine if the efficacy of Gavac™ is high enough to impact on the population dynamics of cattle ticks in the field.
More information
| Project manager: | Michael Laurence |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
