Attempt to control Haemonchus contortus in dairy goats with Barbervax®, a vaccine derived from the nematode gut membrane glycoproteins

The nematode Haemonchus contortus is the most important parasite of small ruminants around the world and the major cause of mortality in tropical regions. Goats are putatively more susceptible than sheep to this parasite and alternatives to anthelmintic utilization are constantly being sought especially after the rise of multiple anthelmintic resistance. Here we present results of a trial designed to evaluate Barbervax®, a vaccine containing gut proteins from Haemonchus contortus, in the control of haemoncosis in dairy goats. In this study female Saanen (n = 20) and Anglo Nubian (n = 20) goats aged six months were assigned by breed, body weight and fecal egg counts into four experimental groups (n = 10) (vaccinated or non-vaccinated). Barbervax® was injected subcutaneously, starting with three priming doses 21 days apart followed by boosts every 6 weeks. All animals grazed on the same bushland area and were subjected to natural and artificial worm infection. Mean efficacy over the trial period was 69.8 ± 2.11% and 57.4 ± 2.76% for the Anglo Nubians and Saanens, respectively. Significant differences in packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma proteins (TPP) values were also observed but only in the Anglo Nubians. The protection afforded by vaccination was considered useful for management of Haemonchus infection in dairy goats by reducing egg counts. Furthermore, the vaccine does not generate chemical residues and could be very interesting for Haemonchus control during milk production.