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CaniLeish – First EU Developed Vaccine For Canine Leishmaniosis Launched In The UK

12 years ago
17846 views

Posted
9th May, 2012 13h34


Canileish Box CS Virbac Animal Health has announced the UK launch of CaniLeish®, the first vaccine for canine leishmaniosis in the European Union, providing a new level of protection against this vector-borne parasitic disease caused by infection with protozoa of the genus Leishmania (L infantum in Europe). Leishmaniosis is transmitted by the bite of infected sandflies. CaniLeish® features an innovative method of production which ensures that the only proteins present in the vaccine are excreted-secreted proteins (ESPs), which stimulate the host’s own immune response*. This new vaccine has been developed as a result of 20 years’ cutting edge research and collaboration between scientists at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, a French public research institute, Bio Véto Test and Virbac*. In south-western Europe 2.5 million dogs are believed to be infected1,2 with the parasite and the disease is spreading northwards,3 as more people travel with their dogs or import infected animals from endemic areas.4 So far preventative methods have been limited to reducing the habitat of sandflies, minimising the physical contact of dogs with sandflies and using insecticides on dogs (sprays, spot-ons, repellent-collars, etc). The vaccine’s ability to protect dogs was demonstrated in an experimental challenge study, where the benefit of vaccination was still evident after one year.5 In an extreme condition natural challenge trial lasting two years under environmental conditions rarely encountered in reality, 93% of dogs vaccinated with CaniLeish® did not develop symptomatic leishmaniosis. CaniLeish® provides a fourfold reduction in the risk of developing this fatal disease. 6 Its safety profile has been shown in laboratory testing and field trials.7 In addition it contains no whole parasites that could be virulent in any host. Commenting on the launch of CaniLeish®, David McGahie BVMS Bsc (VetSci) MRCVS, Medical Department Manager at Virbac SA, said: “The development of this vaccine is a key milestone in the battle against this challenging disease which is a major problem in many regions of the world. Although in the past it was considered a rather exotic disease here in the UK, the advent of the Pet Travel Scheme means it has become increasingly important as a problem for dogs which regularly travel abroad to endemic regions. At Virbac we aspire to bring innovation to all our products and CaniLeish® is a great example. It is the culmination of over 20 years of intensive research in various fields and we have invested significant resources into this project. We are therefore delighted and proud to now bring an efficacious vaccine against leishmaniosis to the profession.” CaniLeish® is simple for vets to use in daily practice. The vaccine can be given to dogs as young as six months of age: the primary course consists of three injections given over six weeks. Dogs should be re-vaccinated annually, with a single dose administered one year after the third injection and annually thereafter. Virbac is the largest independent veterinary pharmaceutical company in the world. Founded by a veterinary surgeon, the company is dedicated to supporting the veterinary profession through the development of innovative products and services, which support their businesses and help animals lead longer, healthier lives. * CaniLeish® vaccine was developed by BVT (Bio Véto Test), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Virbac, in partnership with IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), and Virbac's R&D teams. This project is based on an IRD's patented invention relating to Leishmania culture, on which IRD has granted an exclusive patent licence to BVT for animal health applications. Method for the Leishmania culture under IRD Licence. References:Baneth G, KoutinasAF, Solano-Gallego L, et al. Canine leishmaniosis: new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part one. Trends Parasitology 2008; 24: 324–330Moreno J, Alvar J. Canine leishmaniasis: epidemiological risk and the experimental model. Trends Parasitol, 2002; 18 (9):399–405Maroli M, Rossi L, Baldelli R, et al. The northward spread of leishmaniasis in Italy: evidence from retrospective and ongoing studies on the canine reservoir and phlebotomine vectors. Trop. Med. Int. Health, 2008; 13: 256–264Shaw SE, Lerga AI, Williams S, et al. Review of exotic infectious diseases in small animals entering the United Kingdom from abroad diagnosed by PCR. Vet. Rec. 2003; 152: 176–177McGahie D. CaniLeish®: Development of a new preventive tool. How do you produce a vaccine which really works? Proceedings of the symposium “Advanced management of Canine Leishmaniosis” Southern European Veterinary Congress 2011, Barcelona, pp 13,14Oliva G, Nieto J, Foglia Manzillo V, et al. Evidence for protection against active infection and disease progression in naïve dogs vaccinated with LiESP/QA-21 (CaniLeish®) exposed to two consecutive Leishmania infantum transmission seasons. Proceedings BSAVA/WSAVA/FECAVA congress 2012, Birmingham.McGahie D. Results of safety trials with CaniLeish®. What can be expected?. Proceedings of the symposium “Advanced management of Canine Leishmaniosis” Southern European Veterinary Congress 2011, Barcelona, pp 15,16

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