Serological response of cattle following Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccination and simultaneous administration of levamisole.

Abstract

The serological response of heifers to injection with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine and simultaneous administration of levamisole hydrochloride were compared with those of heifers inoculated with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine alone. The Rose Bengal, serum agglutination, complement fixation and Coombs' antibovine globulin tests were used to measure the humoral responses for a period of sixteen weeks after vaccination. The results indicated that antibody titres in the heifers injected with levamisole and the vaccine were moderately elevated. It was suggested that the heightened antibody titres were possibly mediated through helper T-cells and macrophages. The significance of using levamisole as an adjuvant with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine in cattle is briefly discussed.