Evaluation of Staphylococcus aurus and Streptococcus agalactiae aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted mastitis vaccine in rabbits

The aim of present study was to prepare and evaluate Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted mastitis vaccine in rabbits. For this purpose, isolates of these two bacterial species were recovered from aseptically collected milk samples (n=95) of mastitic buffaloes, identified and bio-characterized. Pathogenicity, immunogenicity, and antibiotics sensitivity testing of vaccinal organisms was performed. A bivalent aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted mastitis vaccine was prepared in Mastitis Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery. The vaccine was found stable, sterile and safe to use. Quality of vaccine and its antibody response was evaluated in rabbits. Rabbits were divided into two groups (G(A) and G(B)) of ten rabbits each. Rabbits in group G(A) were injected with S. aureus and Str. agalactiae aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted mastitis vaccine while rabbits of group G(B) served as non-vaccinated control. Vaccine was found stable, sterile and safe to use. Indirect haemagglutination inhibition test was performed for determination of titers against vaccinal S. aureus and Str. agalactiae. Serum antibody titres (GMT) against S aureus were highest (78.8) at day 45 in the rabbits of group G(A) which declined slightly to 73.3 on day 60. The gradual increase in IHA titre for Str. agalactiae was also observed at day 45 and day 60 post vaccination. Cumulative mean antibody titre (CMT) was 44.94 for vaccinal S. aureus isolate and 46.56 for vaccinal Str. agalactiae isolate while in control group (G(B)) 2.12 CMT was recorded. The antibody response of vaccine in terms of geometric mean titres was significantly higher in vaccinated group at day 45 and 60 post vaccination as compared to control group. The results of the study indicated that the bivalent (S. aureus and Str. Agalactiae) aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted vaccine was immunogenic in rabbits.