Effectiveness of two existing bovine tuberculosis vaccines when given by mouth to bison

What is it about?

Bison were separated into three different treatment groups to understand whether or not a modified live vaccine against bovine tuberculosis (BCG) and a heat treated killed vaccine (HIMB) could protect bison against experimental infection with bovine TB. Bison that were given either two doses of BCG prior to experimental infection showed greater weight gain during the trial than animals that received no vaccine. There were also fewer lung lesions at necropsy in animals vaccinated with BCG and HIMB compared to bison that did not get vaccinated. Both vaccines seem to be safe and effective for reducing disease due to bovine TB in bison.

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Photo by Jonathan Mast on Unsplash

Photo by Jonathan Mast on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This is the first peer reviewed research to explore vaccines against bovine tuberculosis in American Bison. Wood bison in northern Canada are chronically infected with bovine tuberculosis and there are few if any socially acceptable ways to manage the disease in such a large geographic area. These two vaccines potentially give us management options to allow the diseases to be managed and maybe even eradicated in future. Vaccines that can be given orally are much easier to deliver to wild animals as they don't have to be individually captured and injected, which is very stressful for them.

Perspectives

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The results of this research are due to collaborative efforts of many people at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) on the University of Saskatchewan campus and Parks Canada staff. Its been a pleasure working with colleagues to provide concrete solutions to a wicked ecological problem using rigorous scientific methods.

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