Researchers at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) are developing the first vaccine to protect cattle from bovine anaplasmosis, a severe tick-borne disease. This research is critical for Missouri’s $1.6 billion cattle industry, aiming to safeguard the state’s economy.
Bovine anaplasmosis, prevalent in Missouri, infects cattle’s red blood cells. In a report by Mizzou, the disease results in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses in the U.S. and nearly $1 billion globally, due to decreased production, treatment expenses, and cattle deaths.
Led by Roman Ganta, a professor at Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a Bond Life Sciences Center researcher, the team created the vaccine by genetically modifying the Anaplasma marginale pathogen in a lab. By deleting a specific gene and then injecting the modified pathogen into cattle, the vaccinated cattle were reportedly successfully immunized against the disease.
“I often receive calls from cattle producers who are excited about our research and want to know how soon they can get the vaccine,” says Ganta. “There is currently no effective, widely available, vaccine for the disease, and cattle farmers are very worried about the disease harming or killing their cattle. We want to help farmers in Missouri and around the world and are working hard to come up with a viable solution.”
For more information, visit the Mizzou website.