Development of subunit cocktail vaccine against bovine babesiosis

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H05033
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Yokoyama Naoaki 帯広畜産大学, 原虫病研究センター, 教授 (80301802)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: ウシバベシア / 牛バベシア病 / ワクチン / 赤血球 / 多型 / マダニ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The gene polymorphisms of the vaccine candidate antigens of bovine Babesia distributed throughout the world were clarified, and the immunogenicity of each vaccine candidate antigen was confirmed in the infected cattle. In addition, we established an in vitro erythrocyte invasion evaluation system for bovine Babesia, and identified new vaccine candidate antigens. Meanwhile, we discovered a new pathogenic bovine Babesia species and elucidated its global distribution and infected hosts. Furthermore, we succeeded in establishing a tick infection system for bovine Babesia and a production system for transgenic bovine Babesia.

Free Research Field

獣医原虫病

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

世界に広く分布するウシバベシアは致死率の高い牛バベシア病の病因となり、その経済的被害の大きさから本原虫病は我が国の家畜法定伝染病に指定されている。しかしながら、いまだ有効なワクチンが開発されていない。本基盤研究による結果はサブユニットカクテルワクチンの開発に向けて極めて有効な基盤成果となった。今後、汚染国に適したオーダーメイド型の牛バベシア病ワクチンの開発プロトコールの完成が望まれる。