Field trials with a killed, nine-strain, oil adjuvanted Bacteroides nodosus footrot vaccine in sheep

Abstract

Field trials were set up on five properties to determine the cure and protection rates of a killed, nine-strain, oil adjuvanted Bactericides nodosus footrot vaccine, under natural conditions.

Foot infections were scored at the time of the first vaccination and at approximately four weeks and ten weeks later.

Cure rates were 34–67% for vaccinated sheep, and 18–57% for untreated sheep.

Using the Australian Licensing Authorities calculation, the cure rates for the vaccine ranged from −40% to 44%.

A lack of suitable conditions for spread of footrot meant that protection rates could not be determined.