A new vaccine against intestinal infection in farm animals has been created in Kuban

Scientists at Kuban State Agrarian University have developed a new vaccine against intestinal infection - Escherichiosis of young cattle and pigs; its use will reduce the mortality rate of the disease by 2.5 times. The development was presented at the design and analytical session of the Priority 2030 academic strategic leadership program, a TASS correspondent reports . 

“The uniqueness of the developed drug lies in the fact that its components use exometabolites of Escherichia coli, which we obtained during many years of research, as well as an adjuvant complex, which makes it possible to increase the functional activity of the immune system in animals, activate general and specific resistance of the body, and, as consequently, to increase the safety and productivity of the livestock,” Alexander Tishchenko, HEAD of the microbiology laboratory of the biotechnology center of the Kuban State Agrarian University, told TASS. 

According to the scientist, in the last ten years there has been an increase in intestinal infectious diseases of farm animals, including eschechiriasis. The spread of the disease among farm animals can exceed 40%, which negatively affects the efficiency of development of the livestock industry and generally affects the country’s food security. 

As the university press service clarified, the use of the new vaccine showed a decrease in the incidence of calves and piglets by 24 - 37.7%, and mortality decreased by 2.5 times. At the same time, the preventive protective effect in calves was 92%, and in piglets - 84.9%. “The relevance of the development of a new vaccine is confirmed by parallel medical research in this area, since food infections caused by toxigenic strains of Escherichia coli pose a danger, including to humans,” Tishchenko said. 

Scientists began developing this vaccine back in 2018. At the moment, the vaccine has been patented, work is underway on its state registration, and the necessary permits for its use have been obtained. 

A design and analytical session led by the expert group of the Federal State Institution "Sociocenter" as part of the implementation of the strategic academic leadership program "Priority 2030" began work on Monday at the Kuban State Agrarian University in Krasnodar. The experts' visit began with an introductory session. The experts’ plans include visiting the university’s educational and innovation laboratories complex and two educational and experimental farms, and working with the university team. With the participation of experts, the pace of development of the university will be analyzed, which will help adjust future directions of work and determine new mechanisms for transforming the management processes of a scientific institution.