Schering-Plough Animal Health Launches
Jencine® 4 BVDV Vaccine for Beef, Dairy Cattle
Unique Vaccine Protects Calves Against Two BVDV Subtypes;
Fetal Protection Also Proved
UNION, N.J., Oct. 2, 2001 - Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation has introduced Jencine® 4, the only commercially available modified-live bovine respiratory vaccine in the United States containing a non-cytopathic BVDV (bovine viral diarrhea virus).
"One dose of Jencine 4 has been shown to provide 'real world' protection against non-cytopathic BVDV, the most prevalent biotype isolated from cases of BVDV infection in the field, in addition to the more familiar cytopathic isolates," says Dr. Breck Hunsaker, a technical service veterinarian with Schering-Plough Animal Health.
He notes that research conducted at the University of Wisconsin reported that 90 percent of the BVD field isolates were non-cytopathic, meaning they do not destroy cells in tissue culture. However, the non-cytopathic designation is not associated with less virulence in the field. Conversely, these strains present the most significant threat to the health, growth, and reproductive performance of beef and dairy cattle.
According to Dr. Chris Chase, a veterinarian at South Dakota State University who has closely monitored BVDV, non-cytopathic BVDV has been the major isolate in more than 50 percent of all viral respiratory isolates in the university's diagnostic laboratory.
"Unlike other BVDV vaccines, Jencine 4 contains a modified-live, non-cytopathic biotype of BVDV virus. This is relevant since the immune response will be to the biotype of the majority of all BVDV field strains," Hunsaker adds.
In a Nebraska study, vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves were challenged with the New York-1 strain (non-cytopathic, Type 1) and then evaluated for clinical illness (ocular and nasal discharge, depression, respiratory character, cough and diarrhea) for 13 days. Animals vaccinated with Jencine 4 received clinical illness scores of only 0.9, compared to 10.8 for unvaccinated controls and 4.5, 2.1 and 1.9 for animals vaccinated with one of three other commercially available vaccines.
Jencine 4 also cross protects against cytopathic BVDV isolates. Calves vaccinated with Jencine 4 showed 100 and 89.1 percent protection against clinical signs of BVDV following experimental challenge with Type 1 and Type 2 BVDV strains, respectively, versus 40 percent and 18 percent for unvaccinated controls.
Proven fetal protection
Jencine 4 is also the only vaccine to provide proven fetal protection against persistent infection with BVDV. In a study where all calves born to unvaccinated control heifers were persistently infected with non-cytopathic BVDV (i.e. calves with two positive BVDV isolations at least 3 weeks apart), 92 percent of calves from dams vaccinated with Jencine 4 21 days before breeding were protected against persistent infection.
"Vaccinating with Jencine 4 before breeding reduces the level of BVDV transmission by reducing the number of persistently infected calves," Hunsaker explains.
In addition, Jencine 4 provides protection against BRSV (bovine respiratory syncytial virus), IBRV (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis) and PI3 virus (bovine parainfluenza, Type 3). When challenged with BRSV, calves vaccinated with Jencine 4 had 51 percent lower clinical illness scores than unvaccinated animals (4.34 compared to 8.92). In efficacy trials, all calves vaccinated with Jencine 4 were protected against experimental IBR challenge, compared to only 20 percent protection of unvaccinated controls. Average nasal discharge score for the Jencine 4 calves after PI3 challenge was only 0.35, versus 1.6 in the unvaccinated controls.
High margin of safety
The new vaccine has been shown to be safe. In a trial with 839 clinically healthy 6- to 12-month old calves vaccinated with Jencine 4, none of the calves showed local or systemic reactions following vaccination administered IM (intramuscularly) or SC (subcutaneously).
Jencine 4 is a lyophilized (freeze-dried), non-adjuvanted vaccine that is reconstituted with water. It is packaged in 20 mL (10-dose) and 100 mL (50-dose) presentations.
"Jencine 4 has the advantages of modified-live vaccines, including a more rapid immune response than killed-virus vaccines, stimulation of the immune system with an agent that 'looks like' the pathogen that will challenge calves in the field, and duration of immunity" Hunsaker says. Jencine 4 has been shown to provide protection against challenge following a single dose.
The company does recommend a booster for replacement heifers, given at least one month prior to breeding. Jencine 4 is not approved for use in calves under 2 weeks of age, pregnant cows or calves nursing pregnant cows.
Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation is a leading manufacturer and marketer of biologicals, pharmaceuticals and specialty products for food and companion animals. It is a division of Schering-Plough Corporation, a research-based company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical and health-care products worldwide.
For more information about Jencine 4 and the company's expanding line of bovine
health products, contact:
Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation
P.O. Box 3182, Union, N.J. 07083-1982
Phone: 800-521-5767
Email: steven.brecher@spcorp.com
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