Vaccination of cattle with a recombinant bivalent toxoid against botulism serotypes C and D

Cattle botulism is a fatal intoxication caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by Clostridium botulinum serotypes C and D resulting in economic losses. Vaccination is the most effective way to control botulism. However, the commercially available vaccines are difficult and hazardous to produce.. Neutralizing antibodies against the C-terminal fragment of the BoNT heavy chain (H-C) are known to protect against lethal doses of BoNTs. We report the vaccination of cattle with a previously tested recombinant chimera consisting of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit and the H-C of BoNTs C and D. Vaccinated animals produced neutralizing antibodies against serotypes C and D averaging 5 +/- 0 and 6.14 +/- 1.06 IU/mL, respectively. For BoNT D, the titers were greater than those measured for the commercial vaccine, which induced titers of 5 +/- 0 and 2.85 +/- 1.35 against the respective serotypes, suggesting that this chimera is effective against cattle botulism. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.