Abstract

Vaccines are important tools to aid in the control of Johne`s disease. However, currently available live and killed whole organism vaccines have a number of drawbacks including hypersensitivity reactions at the injection site and sensitization to Mycobacterium bovis antigens. These problems lead to carcase downgrading and interference with TB control programmes. Alkaline phosphatase fusion methodology is being used to search for immunogenic cell surface associated and secreted proteins of a New Zealand field isolate of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. The identification of immunogenic proteins of the bacterium will facilitate the development of a subunit vaccine. This type of vaccine contains only selected components of the organism and therefore it is likely to have fewer adverse side effects. In addition, it may be possible to design a vaccine that does not interfere with TB testing programmes.

A, Murray, and C Dupont

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 62, Palmerston North, 288-289, 2002