Vaccine composition for vaccinating dogs against canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD)

Abstract

A vaccine composition for vaccinating dogs comprising any one or more of (a) an agent capable of raising an immune response against Streptococcus equi sub species zooepidemicus in a dog, (b) an agent capable of raising an immune response against Mycoplasma cynos in a dog, and (c) an agent capable of raising an immune response against a Chlamydophila in a dog.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 563,199, filed Sep. 1, 2006, which is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT / GB2004 / 002865, filed Jul. 1, 2004, designating the U.S. and published in English on Jan. 13, 2005 as WO 2005 / 002618, which claims the benefit of British Patent Application No. 0315323.6, filed Jul. 1, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a vaccine composition, and in particular to a vaccine composition for use against canine infectious respiratory disease.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) is a highly contagious disease common in dogs housed in crowded conditions such as re-homing centres and boarding or training kennels. Many dogs suffer only from a mild cough and recover after a short time, however in some cases a severe bronchopneumonia can develop (Appel and Binn, 1987). CIRD is rarely fatal but it delays re-homing...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]By an agent capable of raising an immune response in a dog against a particular organism, we also include the meaning that, when administered to a dog which is not immunocompromised or immunosuppressed, the agent induces the dog's immune system to produce antibodies which specifically bind to macromolecules such as proteins that are secreted from the organism. The antibodies would specifically bind the secreted macromolecule, such as a toxin or hemolysin, and inactivate it, therefore reducing pathogenic changes in the host and disease severity, thus allowing the host to overcome infection. Thus, by an agent capable of raising an immune response in a dog against a particular organism we include agents which are capable of raising an immune response to a part of the organism such as a secreted macromolecule.

[0055]By “derivative” we also include peptides in which one or more of the amino acid residues are chemically modified, before or after the peptide is synthesised, providing that the function of the peptide, namely the production of specific antibodies in vivo, remains substantially unchanged. Such modifications include forming salts with acids or bases, especially physiologically acceptable organic or inorganic acids and bases, forming an ester or amide of a terminal carboxyl group, and attaching amino acid protecting groups such as N-t-butoxycarbonyl. Such modifications may protect the peptide from in vivo metabolism. The peptides may be present as single copies or as multiples, for example tandem repeats. Such tandem or multiple repeats may be sufficiently antigenic themselves to obviate the use of a carrier. It may be advantageous for the peptide to be formed as a loop, with the N-terminal and C-terminal ends joined together, or to add one or more Cys residues to an end to increase antigenicity and / or to allow disulphide bonds to be formed. If the peptide is covalently linked to a carrier, preferably a polypeptide, then the arrangement is preferably such that the peptide of the invention forms a loop.

[0120]PROGARD®-KC PLUS by Intervet contains live culture of avirulent strains of B. bronchiseptica, attenuated canine adenovirus type 2 and parainfluenza virus for intranasal administration. Vaccination with PROGARD®-KC Plus stimulates rapid, local immunity in the respiratory tract, thereby inhibiting infection at the port of entry as well as preventing clinical signs. In addition to local immunity, it also stimulates systemic immunity within three weeks of intranasal administration. The small volume (0.4 ml) and one nostril application of PROGARD®-KC Plus provide for ease in vaccination, particularly in small breeds and young puppies. PROGARD®-KC Plus is presented in a desiccated form with sterile diluent provided for reconstitution. PROGARD®-KC Plus is for vaccination of healthy dogs and puppies three weeks of age or older for prevention of canine infectious tracheobronchitis (“kennel cough”) due to canine adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza virus and B. bronchiseptica.

[0286]The advantages of using antibody fragments, rather than whole antibodies, are several-fold. The smaller size of the fragments may lead to improved pharmacological properties, such as better penetration to the target site. Effector functions of whole antibodies, such as complement binding, are removed. Fab, Fv, ScFv and dAb antibody fragments can all be expressed in and secreted from E. coli, thus allowing the facile production of large amounts of the fragments.

[0291]It is appreciated that a dog can passively acquire immunity against CIRD by being administered an antibody that reacts with an agent that is involved in the disease.

Problems solved by technology

CIRD is rarely fatal but it delays re-homing of dogs at rescue centres and it causes disruption of schedules in training kennels as well as considerable treatment costs.

Because kennel cough is highly contagious, the disease can readily be transmitted to susceptible dogs and produce a severe cough.

Stress, particularly of adverse environmental conditions, may cause relapse during later stages of the disease.

As all the dogs in our study populations were vaccinated against CPIV and CAV-2, we have no new data to support the involvement of these viruses in CIRD.

This is a powerful combination of microbial challenges and, not surprisingly, results in pneumonia.

The significance of M. cynos in this syndrome was, as Rosendal stated, “difficult to assess”.

By contrast, infection with C. abortus is typically associated with reproductive disorders, often leading to unwanted abortion, especially in sheep.

However, despite the use of these vaccines, CIRD is still prevalent in kennels world-wide, which is possibly due to the vaccines not providing protection against all the infectious agents involved in CIRD.

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