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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #434646
Research Project: Diagnostic and Mitigation Strategies to Control Tuberculosis in Cattle and Wildlife

Location: Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research

Title: Assessment of interferon-gamma response profiles after vaccination against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) as correlates of protection

Author
item FALKENBERG, SHOLLIE - Auburn University
item Dassanayake, Rohana
item Putz, Ellie
item SILVIX, SCOTT - Auburn University
item CRAWFORD, LAUREN - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item BOGGIATTO, PAOLA - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Submitted to: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/5/2026
Publication Date: 7/9/2026
Citation: Falkenberg, S., Dassanayake, R.P., Putz, E.J., Silvix, S., Crawford, L.S., Boggiatto, P.M. 2026. Assessment of interferon-gamma response profiles after vaccination against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) as correlates of protection. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2026.111166.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2026.111166

Interpretive Summary: Identifying immune responses associated with vaccine protection is important for improving tools to prevent economic losses in domestic livestock caused by infectious diseases. In the current study, immune responses and protection were correlated in cattle after BVDV vaccination. Failure of protection (i.e. virus shedding) was only detected in cattle that failed to develop immune responses after vaccination. Increases in other immune parameters, such as production of interferon, were correlated with increased protection. This work identified some immune responses that correlate with protection that can guide future work to develop more efficacious vaccines. This work will be of interest to producers, veterinarians, and researchers who have interest in developing improved BVDV vaccines.

Technical Abstract: Identifying immune responses or profiles that correlate to protection can be used to assess vaccine efficacy. The goal of the current study was to assess the level of protection following BVDV vaccination against challenge in cattle with immune responses that vary in the magnitude of cell mediated responses. Based on the variability in the magnitudes (high, medium, or low) of these responses, cattle were categorized as responders, non-responders, or controls. Increased frequency of interferon-' (IFN-') cells were observed for responders as compared to non-responders and controls. Cattle were administered an intranasal BVDV challenge. Humoral and cell mediated responses were assessed 8 weeks post-challenge along with complete blood counts (CBC’s) and virus isolation from white blood cells (WBCs). Virus was only isolated from WBCs from cattle characterized as non-responders and controls, but not from cattle in the responder category. An increased frequency of IFN-' positive CD4 cells was observed for responder and non-responder groups after challenge as compared to controls. Data from this study suggests CD4 specific IFN-' responses are important for prevention of viremia and correlate with protection. Cell mediated response profiles associated with immunization and protection need to be further evaluated.