Characterization of Cellular and Humoral Immunity to Commercial Cattle BVDV Vaccines in White-Tailed Deer

Background: /Objectives: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (WTD) play a central role at the human-livestock-wildlife interface, given their contribution in the spread of diseases, that can affect livestock. These include a variety of both bacterial, viral and prion diseases with significant economic impact. Given the implications for WTD as potential reservoirs for a variety of diseases, methods for prevention and disease control in WTD are an important consideration. Methods: Using commercial livestock vaccines against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), in killed and modified live formulations, we test the ability of WTD to develop humoral and cellular immune responses following vaccination. Results: We demonstrate that similar to cattle, WTD develop humoral immune responses to both killed and modified live formulation. While we were unable to detect cell-mediated immune responses, the assay used in this manuscript demonstrate that WTD can produce IFN-gamma in response to stimulation. Conclusions: While we were unable to detect cell-mediated immune responses, the assay used in this manuscript demonstrate that WTD can produce IFN-gamma in response to stimulation.