Coccidiosis vaccine

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved vaccine against Coccidiosis in poultry. The vaccine comprises live Eimeria oocysts in a composition with relatively high viscosity because of the inclusion of between 0.3 and 1.5% w/v Xanthan gum. Upon spray vaccination the new vaccine forms beads that are 5 quickly ingested by the birds and which provide a rapid vaccine take, resulting in a quick and effective improvement of the signs of Coccidiosis upon challenge infection. Also the invention relates to a method for the heat sterilisation of a composition comprising Xanthan gum; by the inclusion of a concentration of a metal salt, an irreversible and dramatic reduction in viscosity can be largely prevented.

1 . A Coccidiosis vaccine for poultry, comprising live oocysts of at least one species of  Eimeria  in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the vaccine comprises 0.3-1.5% w/v Xanthan gum which gives the vaccine a viscosity between 200 and 4000 mPa·s. 
     
     
         2 . The Coccidiosis vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one species of  Eimeria  is selected from the group consisting of:  E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. maxima, E. brunetti, E. mitis, E. praecox, E. mivati, E. hagani, E. necatrix , and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The Coccidiosis vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the vaccine comprises less than about 0.4% w/v metal salt. 
     
     
         4 . A method for the preparation of the Coccidiosis vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the step of admixing live oocysts of at least one species of  Eimeria  in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, with Xanthan gum up to 0.3-1.5% w/v. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the Xanthan gum is provided in a composition of which the concentration is such that after the admixing the resulting vaccine comprises 0.3-1.5% w/v Xanthan gum. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the composition comprising Xanthan gum additionally contains a concentration of a metal salt of at least about 0.1% w/v, and the concentration of the metal salt is such that the resulting vaccine comprises less than about 0.4% w/v metal salt. 
     
     
         7 . A kit comprising parts for preparing the Coccidiosis vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises at least two containers: one container comprising a composition comprising live oocysts of at least one species of  Eimeria  in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and one container comprising a composition comprising Xanthan gum, whereby the concentration of the composition comprising Xanthan gum is such that after combining the compositions of both containers, the resulting vaccine comprises 0.3-1.5% w/v Xanthan gum. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the container comprising Xanthan gum additionally contains a concentration of a metal salt of at least about 0.1% w/v, and the concentration of the metal salt is such that the resulting vaccine comprises less than about 0.4% w/v metal salt. 
     
     
         9 . A composition comprising live oocysts of at least one species of  Eimeria  in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for use as a Coccidiosis vaccine for poultry, wherein the composition comprises 0.3-1.5% w/v Xanthan gum which gives said composition a viscosity between 200 and 4000 mPa·s. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of vaccination of a poultry subject against Coccidiosis, wherein the method comprises administering the Coccidiosis vaccine of  claim 1  to said poultry subject as a body spray. 
     
     
         12 . The method of vaccination of  claim 11 , wherein the body spray is applied as a coarse spray. 
     
     
         13 . A method for the prevention or reduction of an infection with  Eimeria  or of associated signs of disease in a poultry subject, wherein the method comprises the administration to said poultry subject of the Coccidiosis vaccine of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The Coccidiosis vaccine of  claim 2 , wherein the vaccine comprises less than about 0.4% w/v metal salt.