Production of animal-based vaccines -

Animal leptospirosis
INTRODUCTION
 Leptospirosis, which is commonly referred to as “lepto”,is a
diseased caused by leptospira bacteria and can affect animals as
well as humans.
 The disease affects vietually all mammals and has a broad range of
clinical effects,from mild,subclinical infection to multiple-organ
failure and death.
 Leptospira are maintained in nature through chronic renal infection
of carrier animals-commonly rats,dogs,cattles
horses,sheep,goats,and pigs.
 These animals can shed leptospires in their urine for years.
 Dogs and cats are probably common sources of human infection.
 Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with any of
several pathogenic serovars of Leptospira.
 Leptospira are aerobic, gram-negative spirochetes that are
fastidious, slow growing, and have characteristics corkscrew-like
motility.
 The taxonomy of Leptospira is complex and can be confusing.
 Traditionally, Leptospira were divided into two groups;
the pathogenic L. interrogans and the saprophytic L. biflexa.
EPIDEMIOLOGY
o There are more than 250 serovars of L. interrogans, further
classified antigenically related serovars, based on the LPS.
o Prevalent in parts of the world – higher rainfall and warm climate.
o In India, there are four canine serovars,Icterohaemorrhagiae,
Canicola,Pomona & Grippotyphsa are prevalent.
 o Two additional serovars which infect humans are Autumnalis &
Astralis which is prevalent in dog population of Kerala
o Animals in close contact with rodents /rodent urine can develop
leptospirosis.
o Dogs of any age, sex, breed which kept outdoor are susceptible.
o Inactivated by heat, UV, disinfectants and freezing conditions.
o Can survive in water, wet soil for weeks to months under optimal
conditions(alkaline PH,0⁰-25℃)
Transmission
Direct
 Infected urine
 Venereal and placental
 Bite wounds
 Ingestion of infected tissues
Indirect
 Exposure to contaminated soil, water and food
Pathogenesis
 Animals become exposure to contaminated environment(soil or
water)which contains the urine of infected animals harboring the
bacteria.
 The bacteria enter the host body through mucous membranes, such
as eyes, nose, mouth or through cuts and abrasions in the skin.
 Leptospira bacteria rapidly multiply and spread through the
bloodstream, allowing them to reach various organs and tissues
throughout the body.
  The initial stage of infection often manifests as an acute febrile
illness, characterized by symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches,
and fatigue.
 In severe cases, the bacteria can target specific organs, with a
predilection for the liver and kidney.
 This targeting can result in organ damage and dysfunction.
Signs of leptospirosis
The signs tend to be non-specific. These are the most common signs:
 Loss of appetite
 vomiting
 Lethargy
 Abdominal pain
 Diarrhea
 Jaundice(yellowing the skin and mucous membranes)
 Dehydration
 Drinking or urinating more than usual
 Weight loss
 Stiffness or muscle pain
Control
 Avoid infected urine, contaminated water, and reservoir hosts.
 Infected dogs should be handled with wearing gloves.
 Contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with detergents and
disinfectants.
 Vaccination.
 Public health concerns.
Prevention of leptospirosis in animals:
 Avoidance of exposure of free-ranging wildlife and domestic
animals that may be maintenance hosts for Leptospira is difficult
 because rodents, raccoons, opossums. and Slunks are frequently
found in rural and urban environments.
 The cornerstone of leptospirosis prevention is vaccination with
polyvalent inactivated vaccines.
 Immunity to leptospirosis is assumed to be serovar specific;
however this assumption has been questioned. Prevention of
leptospirosis in animals
 Maintaining a clean environment to reduce exposure to
contaminated water or soil, and practicing good hygiene, such as
regular handwashing.
 Consult with a veterinarian for tailored advice based on your
specific animal’s needs and risk factors.
Vaccination
o Leptospirosis vaccination for animals involves administering a
vaccine to protect them against bacteria from the Leptospira genus.
o This zoonotic disease can be transmitted to humans from infected
animals.
o The vaccine helps prevent severe symptoms, including kidney and
liver damage, in animals.
o Consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate
vaccination schedule based on your pet’s risk factors and local
prevalence of leptospirosis.
o Common vaccines for animal leptospirosis include Nobivac Lepto,
Duramune max 5, and Vanguard plus 5/CV-L.
o Annual vaccination for leptospirosis is highly recommended,
especially for dogs that are at a higher risk of exposure.
Lion country supply carries several canine vaccinations that include
leptospirosis protection ,these include:
 Duramune Lyme+Max 5-CvK/4L
 8-Way Vaccine
  Vanguard Plus 7-Way Vaccine
Production of leptospirosis vaccines
The production process of animal leptospirosis vaccines involves several
key steps:
1. Strain Selection:
Identifying and selecting suitable Leptospira strains for vaccine
development based on their prevalence and ability to provide broad
protection.
2. Cultivation: Growing the selected strains in a controlled laboratory
environment. This often involves using specialized culture media and
conditions to optimize bacterial growth.
3. Harvesting: Once the bacteria reach a sufficient density, they are
harvested from the culture. This typically involves centrifugation to
separate the bacteria from the culture medium.
4. Inactivation: To ensure the vaccine is safe for use, the harvested
bacteria are often inactivated or killed. This can be done using
chemicals, heat, or a combination of methods.
5. Purification: The inactivated bacteria are then purified to remove any
impurities or unwanted substances.
6. Formulation: The inactivated bacteria are then formulated into a
vaccine. This may include adding adjuvants to enhance the immune
response and stabilizers to preserve the vaccine.
7. Quality Control: Rigorous quality control measures are implemented
throughout the production process to ensure the vaccine meets safety
and efficacy standards. This includes testing for potency, purity, and
absence of contaminants.
8. Fill and Finish: The final vaccine is filled into vials or other
appropriate containers, and the packaging is completed. Proper labeling
and documentation are crucial at this stage.
9. Distribution: The finished vaccines are distributed to veterinarians,
animal health professionals, or other designated distribution channels for
administration to animals.
10. Administration: Vaccination of animals according to recommended
schedules.

CONCLUTION
Like most canine transmitted infections, yearly vaccinations and
precaution are key to preventing the animals from getting exposed and
infected. With leptospirosis being a zoonotic transmitted disease, carried
by several different wildlife and spread through urine, it is important to
have your dog vaccinated to keep them protected. If your pets are
infected with lepto bacteria contact your vetenarian to schedule tests and
treatment. With lepto able to transmitted from canine to humans, if your
dog is infected, it is important to take the precautions