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ARS Home » Plains Area » Kerrville, Texas » Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory » Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421677
Research Project: Biology, Management, and Surveillance of Ticks of Veterinary Importance

Location: Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit

Title: Immunogenicity and safety of a rabies-based highly pathogenic influenza A virus H5 vaccine in cattle

Author
item PARAN, NIR - Thomas Jefferson University
item WIRBLICH, CHRISTOPH - Thomas Jefferson University
item OLAL, CATHERINE - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item TARQUINIO, ALESSANDRO - Thomas Jefferson University
item Lohmeyer, Kimberly
item KURUP, DRISHYA - Thomas Jefferson University
item SCHULTZ-CHERRY, STACEY - St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
item SHITTU, ISMAILIA - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item GRAY, GREGORY - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item BENTE, DENNIS - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item Olafson, Pia
item SCHNELL, MATTHIAS - Thomas Jefferson University

Submitted to: NPJ Vaccines
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2025
Publication Date: 8/19/2025
Citation: Paran, N., Wirblich, C., Olal, C., Tarquinio, A., Lohmeyer, K.H., Kurup, D., Schultz-Cherry, S., Shittu, I., Gray, G.C., Bente, D.A., Olafson, P.U., Schnell, M.F. 2025. Immunogenicity and safety of a rabies-based highly pathogenic influenza A virus H5 vaccine in cattle. NPJ Vaccines 10, 197. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-025-01238-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-025-01238-2

Interpretive Summary: The circulation of highly pathogenic H5 influenza A viruses in cattle, other mammals, and wildlife threatens animal and human health. To address this, we vaccinated heifer calves with a deactivated rabies-virus-based H5 vaccine. The vaccine was well-tolerated, and recipient animals produced antibodies that effectively neutralized both clade-1 (human variant) and clade-2.3.4.4b (cow variant) H5N1 viruses. The amount of neutralizing antibody produced by these animals (titer) was similar to those among naturally H5-infected and convalescing cows. Immune responses remained elevated for = 200 days and were unaffected by preexisting immunity to rabies virus that is afforded by the vaccine backbone.

Technical Abstract: The circulation of highly pathogenic H5 influenza A viruses in cattle, other mammals, and wildlife threatens animal and human health. To address this, we vaccinated heifer calves with a deactivated rabies-virus-based H5 vaccine. The vaccine was well-tolerated, eliciting neutralizing antibodies against both clade-1 and clade-2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses, with titers similar to those among naturally H5-infected and convalescing cows. Immune responses remained elevated for = 200 days and were unaffected by preexisting RABV immunity.