DNA vaccination with map1 gene followed by protein boost augments protection against challenge with Cowdria ruminantium, the agent of heartwater

A DNA vaccine encoding the immunodominant MAP1 protein of Cowdria ruminantium (Crystal Springs (CS) strain) was shown to partially protect DBA/2 mice against homologous lethal challenge. To enhance the protective capacity of this DNA vaccine, the effects of length of interval between vaccinations and of prime-boost regimes were investigated. Increasing the interval between vaccinations from 2 to 12 weeks did not result in better protection ( P=0.900). However, boosting DNA vaccine-primed mice with recombinant MAP1 protein significantly augmented protection on homologous challenge in various trials from 13–27 to 53–67% ( P