Oral Vaccination of Skunks with Raccoon Poxvirus Recombinants Expressing the Rabies Glycoprotein or the Nucleoprotein Author(s): Makonnen Fekadu, John H. Shaddock, John W. Sumner, Dane W. Sanderlin, Janice C. Knight, Joseph J. Esposito, and George M. Baer Source: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 27(4):681-684. Published By: Wildlife Disease Association DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-27.4.681 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.7589/0090-3558-27.4.681
BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder.
BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research.
Journal
Oral Vaccination of Skunks with Raccoon Recombinants Expressing the Rabies Glycoprotein or the Nucleoprotein
of Wildlife
27(4),
Diseases,
1991,
681-684
pp.
Poxvirus
Makonnen Fekadu,’ John H. Shaddock,’ John W. Sumner,’ Dane W. Sanderlin,’ Janice C. Knight,2 Joseph J. Esposito,2 and George M. Baer,’ ‘Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch and 2Viral Exanthems and Herpes viruses Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Public
Health
Services,
ABSTRACT:
Twenty
were
phitis)
nine
vaccinated
(RCN)
virus
U.S.
Department
of Health
skunks
orally
recombinants:
with
and
(Mephitis raccoon
10 with
Human
mepox-
a recombi-
nant expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein (RCNRC), 10 with RCNRG mixed with a recombinant expressing the rabies virus nucleoprotein
(RCNRN)
Rabies tected given
and
nine
with
RCN
survived for nine
a rabies challenge skunks vaccinated
alone.
1971;
et a!., uated
1973; virus
striped
reported
skunk
is the
wild
animal
rabid
States.
Between
1979
reported
rabid
of
and
the
in
the USA Michigan
most
commonly
in the 1989,
country.
The
extending to southern
from
num-
ranged
be-
constituted of rabid
36% ani-
midwest
area
Minnesota Texas is most
1988),
esis
attempts that
were
or
trapped. In were initiated
animals (Baer et a!., cine thereby reducing ating
based
on
the
an
eventually attenuated was effective
immune
barrier.
The
killed
of
effective
that
from poi-
has
rabies
et a!., fed
shown
Five
in sponge-
(Tolson a raccoon
has
virus
(Tolson 1986).
VRG
protected
of
(VRG)
glycoprotein
skunks
the
rabies
tralizing ton rats
been
against
recently,
expresses
been
(Pro-
virus
Centers
the
of raccoons have recently
Rupprecht
et a!., 1988). The virus glycoprotein
vacby cre-
oth-
including
rabies
recombinant
(CVS)
immunizing
(Evelyn-Rokitnicki-
been
used
Canada
recombinant
More
the
and
virus
striped
(RCN) at
a decade. being
ERA
have
1987).
counfree of
the 1987;
baits
for
groups skunks
a vaccinia
expressing
of seven
within vaccine
protected
Abe!seth)
to
countries
species,
However, and
et a!.,
et
extended
in Europe
reservoir
!otor)
with
and af-
been
Disease
Control
challenge
virus
glycoprotein
et
a!.,
poxvirus developed (CDC) standard (Esposito
raccoon poxvirus rabies recombinant (RCNRG) to induce
antibodies
rabies
in raccoons,
virus-neudogs,
cot-
(Sigmodon hispidus), rabbits (Orycto!agus cunicu!us), bobcats (Lynx rufus) and foxes. To date raccoons, dogs
attempts
led to the development oral rabies virus vaccine in foxes ( Vu! pes vulpes)
rabies rabies
foxes
been
Eu-
western
(Schneider
a!., 1989). European as their goal to be
experimentally
the early 1960’s, atto immunize wild 1963) with transmission
not rabies
most
in
of fox-
European
animal
has
Wandresults
being
eastern et set
1982;
efforts
it is now
attenuated
er
cyon
hypoth-
a reduction of animal-to-animal would eliminate the disease areas. Animals were usually
contact limited soned tempts
and
Black
vaccination in
and
skunk.
fected by skunk rabies; two additional enzootic areas are in California (Reid-Sandin et a!. , 1990). For many years attempts were made to control rabies by reducing the population of rabies reservoir animals; these
rabies
control
to immunize
United
the
skunks
tween 1,657 and 4,096 and to 64% of the total number mals
successful
terrestrial
The
ber
et a!.,
After
rabies
The
1976;
(Steck
(Schneider tries have
vac-
Baer,
1988).
Canada
cination.
USA
et a!., 1988). Attenfield-tested in Swit-
incorporated
ropean a!.,
and
Follmann was first
oral
was
30333,
in 1978
et a!.,
es
Geogria
Winkler
Switzerland,
that was with RCN
Raccoon poxvirus, recombinant skunk, Mephitis mephitis,
et a!.,
ler
alone.
Key words: vaccine, rabies,
Atlanta,
zerland
virus neutralizing antibodies were dein six of the 20 skunks; five skunks (three RCNRC, two given a mixture of recom-
binants) lethal
Services,
of
an that (Baer
and 681
cotton
rats
have
been
protected
against
682
JOURNAL
OF WILDLIFE
lethal
rabies
challenge
1989).
In
tects against
immunized
lethal
Sumner, we
the
skunks skunk
when
of raccoon and
Zoo,
Inc.,
with
thetized
10
received and
a single
of the
binants
each
vaccine
had After
Inc., to
and 3 stored
10%
fetal
administered
of
dripping liquid onto the imal. In one group, skunks 1 ml of RCNRG
x 10 skunks
1 ml
of RCN
Each daily rabies samples
of for
prior
Virus
by slowly of the aneach given Each
of
given
and
29
animals
To
determine
1
RCNRN
and
was
observed the
level
of
antibody, blood at 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk again
challenge. antibodies
at Serum were
13
wk
just
rabies
vi-
measured
Rabies
group mixed
one At 4 was
of the RCNRG the group given
and with
neutralizing
antibod-
two in the group fed RCNRN. One skunk
RCNRG, showed no yet survived challenge.
animals mixture)
(1.5 x 108 PFU).
virus-neutralizing were collected
rus-neutralizing
plus
body
PFU of each virus). Each of in the third group was given the
to rabies
serum.
was
of RCNRG
until were (PBS)
group
mixture.
(two
seroconversion
(#4) developed rabies in spite high rabies antibody titer, and vaccinated with the mixture
stocks,
viruses saline
tongue were
3 mo.
post-vaccination
C
(1.5 x 108 PFU).
in a second
ml of a mixture
PFU/ml;
-20
a syringe
vaccination,
in two other skunks and one other of
RCNRG RCNRG
recom-
108
bovine
with
vaccination RCNRG and the mixture).
received
x
the
post
post
given given
ies persisted in the six animals until 90 days post vaccination, when all animals were challenged. Five of the six animals with detectable rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies survived the challenge, three in the
50-mg
virus
2 wk
group group
the
Fort Dodge, oral adminis-
the
at the the
RCNRG
at
thawing
dilutions phosphate-buffered
(1.5 nine
54960,
noted group
separately were anes-
RCNRN
contained
rapidly
10 skunks
wk
recombinants.
been
containing
skunks 10
infected skunks. was 10 mouse 50% per ml
,
from from
intramuscular
of RCNRG
appropriate made in
nine
inhibition
(MICLD/ml). Survivors were euthanized 6 mo after challenge. All skunks appeared healthy until challenge. As shown in Table 1 three of the skunks showed neutralizing antibodies
virus
groups:
Animals were kept steel cages. Skunks
with
Stocks
was
three
ketaset (Aveco, 50501 USA) prior
tration
use.
Wisconsin
RCNRN,
RCN alone. in stainless of
rabies
striped
into
RCNRG,
mixed
or
recombinant
Neshkoro, divided
received
dose Iowa,
poxvirus
one-year-old
were
against challenge
RCNRG.
Twenty-nine USA)
in
RCNRG,
protein
(RCNRN)
W.
study
response
syringe-fed
nuc!eocapsid
(R.
immune
were
a mixture
(J.
present
and their protection street rabies virus
they
gland tissue from naturally The titer of the 5-329 isolate intracerebra! lethal dose
scarification
In the
focus
A!! skunks were challenged by injection into the masseter muscle with 1 ml of street rabies, a 10% suspension of PBS of salivary-
protein that pro-
challenge
comm.).
measured
striped a lethal
by
street-rabies
pers.
(Co-
expressing
nucleocapsid made at CDC
1991
by the rapid fluorescent test (Smith et al., 1973).
a!.,
virus
recombinant
virus been
mice
et
a vaccinia
strain)
the rabies (VRN) has
VOL. 27, NO. 4, OCTOBER
(Esposito
addition,
penhagen
DISEASES,
(those given developed
RCN, rabies
of having a skunk #22, of RCNRN
detectable All the RCNRG, 12 to
14
antiother or the days
after challenge. Rabies virus antigen was confirmed by fluorescent antibody staining (FA) in all animals that died of cha!lenge. At the end of the study period, the six surviving animals were euthanized with phenytoin
sodium
worth, New rus antigen
(Shering
Corp.
Keni!-
Jersey 07033 USA); rabies was not detected by (FA)
viin
the
brain of any of these animals. In a previous report in which VRG (108 PFU) was given experimentally in spongebaits to skunks, five of seven skunks were protected (To!son et al., 1987). In that study skunks vaccinated of VRG by various intradermally, larly, and
four
with other
rather routes
high (six
doses of six
three of four intramuscuof eight by intestinal tubes)
SHORT
1.
TABLE
Rabies
RCN expressing nucleoprotein
virus
rabies (RCNRN).
neutralizing virus
antibodies
glycoprotein
and
resistance
(RCNRG),
or
to challenge
a mixture
Virus Skunk number
Vaccine
7
neutralizing
fed raccoon
and
RCN
rabies
titers 28
90
-
(56)
(56)
-
-
14
pox (RCN),
expressing
Mortality
RCNRG RCNRG
3
RCNRG
4
18 19
RCNRG RCNRG RCNRC RCNRG RCNRG RCNRG RCNRG
20 21
RCNRG RCNRC
+
RCNRN
+
+
RCNRN
+
22
RCNRG
+
RCNRN
0
23 24 25
RCNRC RCNRG RCNRG
+
RCNRN
+
+
RCNRN
-
+
RCNRN
-
26
RCNRC
+ RCNRN
27
+
28
RCNRG + RCNRN RCNRG+RCNRN
29
RCNRG
+
17
-
-
(125)
-
+
-
+
(125)
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
(85) (110)
(210) (56)
+
0
-
-
(540)
(56) (280)
(280)
(280)
(800)
(800)
0 0
0 0 +
+
RCNRN
5
RCN
+
6
RCN
+
7
RCN
+
8
RCN
+
9
RCN
+
10
RCN
+
11
RCN
+
12
RCN
+
13
RCN
+
were
protected challenge.
virus
against In our
ringe-feeding of ten skunks given nized rabies to be
skunk study,
RCNRG,
the
major
for
trying
earlier study inoculated
purified (RNP) adjuvant
and
in three after oral three
of ten
RCNRG and RCNRN were immuand protected against skunk street virus. The RCNRG vaccine seemed component
the addition of RCNRN have improved protection tionale
street rabies in which sy-
of vaccine resulted being immunized with
vaccination
mice
of skunks RCNRG
683
1 2
13 15 16
an
of
COMMUNICA11ONS
rabies preparation were
the
for did
RCNRN
was
(Dietzscho!d intraperitoneally virion plus protected
appear Our
to ra-
that
et a!.,
complete against
in
1988) with a
ribonucleoprotein Freund’s intra-
protected mice cinia recombinant nucleoprotein
with Also,
CVS or Duvenwe recently have
by scarification expressing (VRN)
(J.
with the
W.
We animal foxes, munized
of protection was seen.
would
surmise
that
species, bobcats,
including and cotton
orally
although
(baited-vaccine
pers.
able
to protect with VRN a street rabies data). Thus, in
our studies in skunks, RCNRN with RCNRG in hopes that ment effect
a vacrabies
Sumner,
comm.). Further, we were dogs immunized intradermally against im challenge with virus (M. Fekadu, unpub!.
protection;
not rates.
muscular challenge hage (DUV 6) virus.
an
was mixed enhance-
be noted;
no such
a number raccoons, rats, can
of
dogs, be im-
or syringe-
684
JOURNAL
OF WILDLIFE
DISEASES,
fed vaccine) with raccoon coprotein recombinants,
VOL. 27, NO. 4, OCTOBER
poxvirus is difficult
it
glyto
establish significant protection in skunks syringe-fed the current raccoon poxvirus recombinants at the 108 PFU doses level. More promising results were reported (Tolson
et
10 PFU hancement
a!., in
1987)
for
skunks
fed
sponge-baits. Thus, studies of vaccine take
identification purposes imply endorsement
Health Health
including
prevention of AIDS, R. Chanock, R. Lerner, F. Brown, and H. Ginsberg (eds.). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, pp. 403-409. FOLLMANN, E. H., D. C. RITTER, AND C. M. BAER. 1988.
VRG
bait-enmay be
C. M., S. B. Rabies
LINHART,
tein
recombinant
tional
vaccination
of
foxes.
mary
by
Journal
DIETZSCHOLD,
M.
CELlS, AND
H.
the
oral
14:
206-211.
B., H.
WANG,
TOLLIS,
KOPROWSKI.
route.
DEAN.
Annual
the Division of Laboratories and York State Department of Health, York, 2 pp. , M. K. ABELSETH, AND J. C. Oral vaccination of foxes against can Journal of Epidemiology 93: BLACK, J. C., AND K. F. LAWSON. studies of sylvatic rabies in the fox Vaccination
1963.
Report
Research. Albany,
,
of
New New
DEBBIE.
1971.
rabies. Amen487-490. 1973.
(Vulpes
Canadian
Further
vulpes). Veter-
Modern
approaches
to
new
vaccines
1988.
Bulletin
Europe
MUELLER,
(EDIToRs).
Proceedings
Na-
1989.
AND
Rabies
Rabies
in
P. Eu-
4: 1-32. K. P. HOHNSBEEN
Bulletin
Europe
3: 1-
31.
J. S., P. A.
AND C. M. BAER. 1973. test for determining rabies neutralizing antibody. Bulletin of World Health Organization 48: 35-541. STECK, F. , A. I. WANDELER, P. BISCHEL, S. CAPT, AND L. SCHNEIDER. 1982. Oral immunization of foxes against rabies: Laboratory and field tnals. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and SMITH,
Infectious
C. E. RUPPRECHT, E. H. ERTL, E. HERBER-KATZ, 1988. Induction of pro-
vaccine.
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(EDITORS).
Rabies W. W.
A rapid
tective immunity against rabies by immunization with rabies virus ribonucleoprotein. Proceedings National Academy of Science USA 84: 91659169. ESPOSITO, J. J., J. H. KNIGHT, J. H. SHADDOCK, F. J. NOVEMBRE, AND C. M. BAER. 1988. Successful oral rabies vaccination of raccoon poxvirus recombinants expressing rabies virus glycoprotein. Virology 165: 313-316. F. W. CHANDLER, AND G. M. BAER. 1989. Oral immunization of animals with raccoon poxvirus expressing rabies virus glycoprotein. In Vaccines:
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HOHNSBEEN
D. J.
la-
C. E. , T. J. WIKTOR, D. H. JOHNSTON, A. N. HAMIR, B. DIETZSCHOLD, W. H. WUNNER, L. T. CLICKMAN, AND H. KOPROWSKI. 1986. Oral immunization and protection of raccoons (Procyon lotor) with a vaccinia-rabies glycopro-
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RUPPRECHT,
SCHNEIDER,
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Service or the U.S. Department and Human Services.
Immunization
gopus) with life Diseases
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WINKLER,
Received
for
publication
27
August
1990.
BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder.
BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research.
Journal
Oral Vaccination of Skunks with Raccoon Recombinants Expressing the Rabies Glycoprotein or the Nucleoprotein
of Wildlife
27(4),
Diseases,
1991,
681-684
pp.
Poxvirus
Makonnen Fekadu,’ John H. Shaddock,’ John W. Sumner,’ Dane W. Sanderlin,’ Janice C. Knight,2 Joseph J. Esposito,2 and George M. Baer,’ ‘Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch and 2Viral Exanthems and Herpes viruses Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Public
Health
Services,
ABSTRACT:
Twenty
were
phitis)
nine
vaccinated
(RCN)
virus
U.S.
Department
of Health
skunks
orally
recombinants:
with
and
(Mephitis raccoon
10 with
Human
mepox-
a recombi-
nant expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein (RCNRC), 10 with RCNRG mixed with a recombinant expressing the rabies virus nucleoprotein
(RCNRN)
Rabies tected given
and
nine
with
RCN
survived for nine
a rabies challenge skunks vaccinated
alone.
1971;
et a!., uated
1973; virus
striped
reported
skunk
is the
wild
animal
rabid
States.
Between
1979
reported
rabid
of
and
the
in
the USA Michigan
most
commonly
in the 1989,
country.
The
extending to southern
from
num-
ranged
be-
constituted of rabid
36% ani-
midwest
area
Minnesota Texas is most
1988),
esis
attempts that
were
or
trapped. In were initiated
animals (Baer et a!., cine thereby reducing ating
based
on
the
an
eventually attenuated was effective
immune
barrier.
The
killed
of
effective
that
from poi-
has
rabies
et a!., fed
shown
Five
in sponge-
(Tolson a raccoon
has
virus
(Tolson 1986).
VRG
protected
of
(VRG)
glycoprotein
skunks
the
rabies
tralizing ton rats
been
against
recently,
expresses
been
(Pro-
virus
Centers
the
of raccoons have recently
Rupprecht
et a!., 1988). The virus glycoprotein
vacby cre-
oth-
including
rabies
recombinant
(CVS)
immunizing
(Evelyn-Rokitnicki-
been
used
Canada
recombinant
More
the
and
virus
striped
(RCN) at
a decade. being
ERA
have
1987).
counfree of
the 1987;
baits
for
groups skunks
a vaccinia
expressing
of seven
within vaccine
protected
Abe!seth)
to
countries
species,
However, and
et a!.,
et
extended
in Europe
reservoir
!otor)
with
and af-
been
Disease
Control
challenge
virus
glycoprotein
et
a!.,
poxvirus developed (CDC) standard (Esposito
raccoon poxvirus rabies recombinant (RCNRG) to induce
antibodies
rabies
in raccoons,
virus-neudogs,
cot-
(Sigmodon hispidus), rabbits (Orycto!agus cunicu!us), bobcats (Lynx rufus) and foxes. To date raccoons, dogs
attempts
led to the development oral rabies virus vaccine in foxes ( Vu! pes vulpes)
rabies rabies
foxes
been
Eu-
western
(Schneider
a!., 1989). European as their goal to be
experimentally
the early 1960’s, atto immunize wild 1963) with transmission
not rabies
most
in
of fox-
European
animal
has
Wandresults
being
eastern et set
1982;
efforts
it is now
attenuated
er
cyon
hypoth-
a reduction of animal-to-animal would eliminate the disease areas. Animals were usually
contact limited soned tempts
and
Black
vaccination in
and
skunk.
fected by skunk rabies; two additional enzootic areas are in California (Reid-Sandin et a!. , 1990). For many years attempts were made to control rabies by reducing the population of rabies reservoir animals; these
rabies
control
to immunize
United
the
skunks
tween 1,657 and 4,096 and to 64% of the total number mals
successful
terrestrial
The
ber
et a!.,
After
rabies
The
1976;
(Steck
(Schneider tries have
vac-
Baer,
1988).
Canada
cination.
USA
et a!., 1988). Attenfield-tested in Swit-
incorporated
ropean a!.,
and
Follmann was first
oral
was
30333,
in 1978
et a!.,
es
Geogria
Winkler
Switzerland,
that was with RCN
Raccoon poxvirus, recombinant skunk, Mephitis mephitis,
et a!.,
ler
alone.
Key words: vaccine, rabies,
Atlanta,
zerland
virus neutralizing antibodies were dein six of the 20 skunks; five skunks (three RCNRC, two given a mixture of recom-
binants) lethal
Services,
of
an that (Baer
and 681
cotton
rats
have
been
protected
against
682
JOURNAL
OF WILDLIFE
lethal
rabies
challenge
1989).
In
tects against
immunized
lethal
Sumner, we
the
skunks skunk
when
of raccoon and
Zoo,
Inc.,
with
thetized
10
received and
a single
of the
binants
each
vaccine
had After
Inc., to
and 3 stored
10%
fetal
administered
of
dripping liquid onto the imal. In one group, skunks 1 ml of RCNRG
x 10 skunks
1 ml
of RCN
Each daily rabies samples
of for
prior
Virus
by slowly of the aneach given Each
of
given
and
29
animals
To
determine
1
RCNRN
and
was
observed the
level
of
antibody, blood at 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk again
challenge. antibodies
at Serum were
13
wk
just
rabies
vi-
measured
Rabies
group mixed
one At 4 was
of the RCNRG the group given
and with
neutralizing
antibod-
two in the group fed RCNRN. One skunk
RCNRG, showed no yet survived challenge.
animals mixture)
(1.5 x 108 PFU).
virus-neutralizing were collected
rus-neutralizing
plus
body
PFU of each virus). Each of in the third group was given the
to rabies
serum.
was
of RCNRG
until were (PBS)
group
mixture.
(two
seroconversion
(#4) developed rabies in spite high rabies antibody titer, and vaccinated with the mixture
stocks,
viruses saline
tongue were
3 mo.
post-vaccination
C
(1.5 x 108 PFU).
in a second
ml of a mixture
PFU/ml;
-20
a syringe
vaccination,
in two other skunks and one other of
RCNRG RCNRG
recom-
108
bovine
with
vaccination RCNRG and the mixture).
received
x
the
post
post
given given
ies persisted in the six animals until 90 days post vaccination, when all animals were challenged. Five of the six animals with detectable rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies survived the challenge, three in the
50-mg
virus
2 wk
group group
the
Fort Dodge, oral adminis-
the
at the the
RCNRG
at
thawing
dilutions phosphate-buffered
(1.5 nine
54960,
noted group
separately were anes-
RCNRN
contained
rapidly
10 skunks
wk
recombinants.
been
containing
skunks 10
infected skunks. was 10 mouse 50% per ml
,
from from
intramuscular
of RCNRG
appropriate made in
nine
inhibition
(MICLD/ml). Survivors were euthanized 6 mo after challenge. All skunks appeared healthy until challenge. As shown in Table 1 three of the skunks showed neutralizing antibodies
virus
groups:
Animals were kept steel cages. Skunks
with
Stocks
was
three
ketaset (Aveco, 50501 USA) prior
tration
use.
Wisconsin
RCNRN,
RCN alone. in stainless of
rabies
striped
into
RCNRG,
mixed
or
recombinant
Neshkoro, divided
received
dose Iowa,
poxvirus
one-year-old
were
against challenge
RCNRG.
Twenty-nine USA)
in
RCNRG,
protein
(RCNRN)
W.
study
response
syringe-fed
nuc!eocapsid
(R.
immune
were
a mixture
(J.
present
and their protection street rabies virus
they
gland tissue from naturally The titer of the 5-329 isolate intracerebra! lethal dose
scarification
In the
focus
A!! skunks were challenged by injection into the masseter muscle with 1 ml of street rabies, a 10% suspension of PBS of salivary-
protein that pro-
challenge
comm.).
measured
striped a lethal
by
street-rabies
pers.
(Co-
expressing
nucleocapsid made at CDC
1991
by the rapid fluorescent test (Smith et al., 1973).
a!.,
virus
recombinant
virus been
mice
et
a vaccinia
strain)
the rabies (VRN) has
VOL. 27, NO. 4, OCTOBER
(Esposito
addition,
penhagen
DISEASES,
(those given developed
RCN, rabies
of having a skunk #22, of RCNRN
detectable All the RCNRG, 12 to
14
antiother or the days
after challenge. Rabies virus antigen was confirmed by fluorescent antibody staining (FA) in all animals that died of cha!lenge. At the end of the study period, the six surviving animals were euthanized with phenytoin
sodium
worth, New rus antigen
(Shering
Corp.
Keni!-
Jersey 07033 USA); rabies was not detected by (FA)
viin
the
brain of any of these animals. In a previous report in which VRG (108 PFU) was given experimentally in spongebaits to skunks, five of seven skunks were protected (To!son et al., 1987). In that study skunks vaccinated of VRG by various intradermally, larly, and
four
with other
rather routes
high (six
doses of six
three of four intramuscuof eight by intestinal tubes)
SHORT
1.
TABLE
Rabies
RCN expressing nucleoprotein
virus
rabies (RCNRN).
neutralizing virus
antibodies
glycoprotein
and
resistance
(RCNRG),
or
to challenge
a mixture
Virus Skunk number
Vaccine
7
neutralizing
fed raccoon
and
RCN
rabies
titers 28
90
-
(56)
(56)
-
-
14
pox (RCN),
expressing
Mortality
RCNRG RCNRG
3
RCNRG
4
18 19
RCNRG RCNRG RCNRC RCNRG RCNRG RCNRG RCNRG
20 21
RCNRG RCNRC
+
RCNRN
+
+
RCNRN
+
22
RCNRG
+
RCNRN
0
23 24 25
RCNRC RCNRG RCNRG
+
RCNRN
+
+
RCNRN
-
+
RCNRN
-
26
RCNRC
+ RCNRN
27
+
28
RCNRG + RCNRN RCNRG+RCNRN
29
RCNRG
+
17
-
-
(125)
-
+
-
+
(125)
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
(85) (110)
(210) (56)
+
0
-
-
(540)
(56) (280)
(280)
(280)
(800)
(800)
0 0
0 0 +
+
RCNRN
5
RCN
+
6
RCN
+
7
RCN
+
8
RCN
+
9
RCN
+
10
RCN
+
11
RCN
+
12
RCN
+
13
RCN
+
were
protected challenge.
virus
against In our
ringe-feeding of ten skunks given nized rabies to be
skunk study,
RCNRG,
the
major
for
trying
earlier study inoculated
purified (RNP) adjuvant
and
in three after oral three
of ten
RCNRG and RCNRN were immuand protected against skunk street virus. The RCNRG vaccine seemed component
the addition of RCNRN have improved protection tionale
street rabies in which sy-
of vaccine resulted being immunized with
vaccination
mice
of skunks RCNRG
683
1 2
13 15 16
an
of
COMMUNICA11ONS
rabies preparation were
the
for did
RCNRN
was
(Dietzscho!d intraperitoneally virion plus protected
appear Our
to ra-
that
et a!.,
complete against
in
1988) with a
ribonucleoprotein Freund’s intra-
protected mice cinia recombinant nucleoprotein
with Also,
CVS or Duvenwe recently have
by scarification expressing (VRN)
(J.
with the
W.
We animal foxes, munized
of protection was seen.
would
surmise
that
species, bobcats,
including and cotton
orally
although
(baited-vaccine
pers.
able
to protect with VRN a street rabies data). Thus, in
our studies in skunks, RCNRN with RCNRG in hopes that ment effect
a vacrabies
Sumner,
comm.). Further, we were dogs immunized intradermally against im challenge with virus (M. Fekadu, unpub!.
protection;
not rates.
muscular challenge hage (DUV 6) virus.
an
was mixed enhance-
be noted;
no such
a number raccoons, rats, can
of
dogs, be im-
or syringe-
684
JOURNAL
OF WILDLIFE
DISEASES,
fed vaccine) with raccoon coprotein recombinants,
VOL. 27, NO. 4, OCTOBER
poxvirus is difficult
it
glyto
establish significant protection in skunks syringe-fed the current raccoon poxvirus recombinants at the 108 PFU doses level. More promising results were reported (Tolson
et
10 PFU hancement
a!., in
1987)
for
skunks
fed
sponge-baits. Thus, studies of vaccine take
identification purposes imply endorsement
Health Health
including
prevention of AIDS, R. Chanock, R. Lerner, F. Brown, and H. Ginsberg (eds.). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, pp. 403-409. FOLLMANN, E. H., D. C. RITTER, AND C. M. BAER. 1988.
VRG
bait-enmay be
C. M., S. B. Rabies
LINHART,
tein
recombinant
tional
vaccination
of
foxes.
mary
by
Journal
DIETZSCHOLD,
M.
CELlS, AND
H.
the
oral
14:
206-211.
B., H.
WANG,
TOLLIS,
KOPROWSKI.
route.
DEAN.
Annual
the Division of Laboratories and York State Department of Health, York, 2 pp. , M. K. ABELSETH, AND J. C. Oral vaccination of foxes against can Journal of Epidemiology 93: BLACK, J. C., AND K. F. LAWSON. studies of sylvatic rabies in the fox Vaccination
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Research. Albany,
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of
New New
DEBBIE.
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Canadian
Further
vulpes). Veter-
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approaches
to
new
vaccines
1988.
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MUELLER,
(EDIToRs).
Proceedings
Na-
1989.
AND
Rabies
Rabies
in
P. Eu-
4: 1-32. K. P. HOHNSBEEN
Bulletin
Europe
3: 1-
31.
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AND C. M. BAER. 1973. test for determining rabies neutralizing antibody. Bulletin of World Health Organization 48: 35-541. STECK, F. , A. I. WANDELER, P. BISCHEL, S. CAPT, AND L. SCHNEIDER. 1982. Oral immunization of foxes against rabies: Laboratory and field tnals. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and SMITH,
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A rapid
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D. J.
la-
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only and does by the Public
Service or the U.S. Department and Human Services.
Immunization
gopus) with life Diseases
a worthwhile pursuit for immunizing skunks with various candidate oral vaccines in the future. In this paper the use of trade names is for not
1991
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WINKLER,
Received
for
publication
27
August
1990.
