Researchers Working on Protecting Cattle from Tick Diseases

University of Missouri researchers are working to develop the first-ever vaccine proven to protect cattle from a devastating tick-borne disease called bovine anaplasmosis.  The research is vital to northwest states, where cattle is a multi-billion dollar industry for Idaho and Washington, and an over $500 million dollar industry in Oregon.

Bovine anaplasmosis infects the red blood cells of cattle and causes hundreds of millions in economic losses nationwide every year and almost $1 billion in worldwide losses.  Roman Ganta, a University of Missouri researcher, led the study that created the new vaccine.  The work involves modifying the pathogen that causes anaplasmosis in a lab.  By deleting a specific gene and injecting the modified pathogen into cattle, the vaccinated cattle were successfully immunized against the disease.  

“I often receive calls from cattle producers who are excited about our research and want to know how soon they can get the vaccine,” Ganta said. “There is currently no widely available effective vaccine against the disease.”

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