Immunopotency of a novel catanionic surfactant vesicle vaccine for bovine mastitis

Abstract

17-20% of the world's cows have had bovine mastitis at some point in their lives. Mastitis is the inflammation of mammary glands caused by infection, such as by the bacterium Escherichia coli. The focus of this thesis research is the immunopotency of a novel catanionic surfactant vesicle vaccine for E. coli mastitis that could theoretically resemble an `artificial pathogen.' To this end, serum studies analyzing antibody titers and immunogenic profiles were conducted. These studies demonstrate that there was no significant increase in total E. coli specific-IgG in vaccinated cows post-vaccination and that there may be variation in immunogenic profiles post-vaccination.