Researchers at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with Iowa State University, have developed a new vaccine delivery platform to produce long-lasting protection against anaplasmosis infections. Anaplasmosis, caused by the blood-borne parasite Anaplasma marginale, is the most prevalent tick-transmitted disease of cattle worldwide and causes significant disease loss to beef producers in Kansas and across the U.S. The single-dose vaccine, which is administered in the back of the ear, has been shown to protect against clinical anaplasmosis for up to two years and potentially could help make controlling the disease more accessible and convenient to livestock producers.
“The concept of providing cattle with a single vaccine implant that could potentially provide lifelong protection against an economically devastating disease, such as bovine anaplasmosis, could revolutionize livestock production,” said Hans Coetzee, professor and head of the anatomy and physiology department in the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.
Iowa State University currently holds a patent for the single-dose vaccine implant platform and the K-State/Manhattan Innovation Center is exploring a partnership with the university to further develop this technology. The first step to a commercially available product would include finding a commercial partner to seek approval from USDA.