2017-064 – Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Canine Vaccine

Researchers at Kansas State University have created an inactivated canine vaccine candidate to prevent Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) infection. RMSF is considered a biosecurity level 3 pathogen because it can infect humans. Kansas State University has the unique facilities and expertise to handle such a pathogen. Two vaccine candidates were created and tested in host animal studies: whole cell inactivated vaccine recombinant vaccine having two immunogenic proteins. Results: Dogs receiving the whole cell inactivated vaccine abated clinical signs completely and the pathogen from circulation. Dogs in the recombinant vaccine group did not show any obvious differences in clinical signs compared to non-vaccinated control group. These early results indicate the whole cell inactivated vaccine candidate could hold more promise for vaccine development and should be studied further. Bret Ford bretford@ksu.edu 785-532-3924