Effect of Mycobacterium sp. wall and Avridine on the antibody response, IgG isotype profile and proliferative response induced by foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccination in cattle.

Different immunomodulators have been previously tested in our laboratory as enhancers of the specific immune response to FMDV vaccines in a murine model [2-4]. Here, we present results of two of these immunomodulators, a water-soluble fraction of the cell wall of Mycobacterium sp. (WSF) and a synthetic lipoamide, Avridine (AV), which were tested in bovines included in FMDV oil vaccines. Two different concentrations of inactivated viral antigen were employed and the effect of different concentrations of the adjuvants were studied when added to the lower viral dose. It is shown that the inclusion of these adjuvants in the higher concentration in vaccines formulated with low antigen concentration induced the same antibody levels as those induced by vaccines containing twice the concentration of virus, and no adjuvants, and as a commercial formulation which performed with 100% of protection in the potency test. The IgG isotypes profiles induced in these experimental vaccines differed from those elicited by the commercial and control vaccines. Both IgG1 and IgG2 were augmented by the experimental formulations. These adjuvants, specially the WSF, also enhanced the cellular immune response against the FMDV in antigen driven proliferation assays, thus acting on a broad range of immune mechanisms.