Effect on systemic antibody concentrations of topical application of choleratoxin to skin of sheep

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Abstract
Objective To examine the ability of a vaccine formulation combining choleratoxin with an experimental antigen to induce a systemic antibody response when applied topically on unbroken skin of sheep. Design Seven treatment groups of five adult sheep received systemic or topical priming followed 4 weeks later by systemic or topical boosting with choleratoxin and/or bovine serum albumin. Topical vaccines were administered to clipped skin on the ventral abdomen for 2 h. Booster immunisations were repeated 8 weeks after initial boosting. Serum antibody titres to choleratoxin and bovine serum albumin were determined by ELISA. Results An antibody response to choleratoxin was observed in serum, but no antibody response to bovine serum albumin was detected. Conclusion Transdermal delivery may be feasible for livestock vaccines, however, further work is necessary to develop formulations that induce protective immunity by this route.