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Section Symposium

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

Applied Studies and Near-term Solutions to Manage Important Veterinary Pests in the USA

Evaluating a commercially available prescription platform vaccine for reducing tick burden and preventing tick-borne disease transmission to cattle

Tuesday, November 11, 2025
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM Pacific
Location: Oregon Convention Center, B113, OCC
Oral Presentation
Anti-tick vaccines targetting specific species (i.e. R. annulatus and R. microplus) have been available for ~10 years. These vaccines rely on traditional manufacturing processes. In 2018, the USDA approved the use of prescription platform vaccines (RxPP), a new vaccine process wherein a gene of interest is inserted into a previously proven vaccine vector. This allows for rapid development of new protective epitopes. In 2023, USDA approved the first commercial multi-species tick vaccine. In 2024, the first cases of bovine theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis Ikeda were reported in Arkansas. Producers and veterinarians across the state, indicate a significant interest in using this new tick vaccine to control Asian longhorned ticks (ALT) and prevent theileriosis. To determine whether this vaccine would significantly reduce tick burdens on cattle, we conducted a study at a university farm with known populations of ALT and confirmed cases of theileriosis. 20 Angus calves received two doses of the Medgene Tick Vaccine at weaning, and 20 calves were unvaccinated controls. Vaccinated and control calves were kept on separate pastures. Every two weeks, calves were scratched for ticks, and ticks were collected from each pasture via dragging and CO2 traps. Monthly blood samples were collected from each calf and tested for Theileria, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia. Mean weekly tick abundance between treatment groups or pastures was compared, as was survival and fecundity of engorged ticks. Results of this study will be used to advise producers on the usefulness of tick vaccines for disease prevention.