Susan Smith Paul E. Marinari J. Kreeger J.T. Enama B.S. Powell Tonie E. Rocke 2008 <p><span>Previous studies have established that vaccination of black-footed ferrets (</span><i>Mustela nigripes</i><span>) with F1-V fusion protein by subcutaneous (SC) injection protects the animals against plague upon injection of the bacterium<span>&nbsp;</span></span><i>Yersinia pestis</i><span>. This study demonstrates that the F1-V antigen can also protect ferrets against plague contracted via ingestion of a<span>&nbsp;</span></span><i>Y. pestis</i><span>-infected mouse, a probable route for natural infection. Eight black-footed ferret kits were vaccinated with F1-V protein by SC injection at approximately 60 days-of-age. A booster vaccination was administered 3 mo later via SC injection. Four additional ferret kits received placebos. The animals were challenged 6 wk after the boost by feeding each one a<span>&nbsp;</span></span><i>Y. pestis</i><span>-infected mouse. All eight vaccinates survived challenge, while the four controls succumbed to plague within 3 days after exposure. To determine the duration of antibody postvaccination, 18 additional black-footed ferret kits were vaccinated and boosted with F1-V by SC injection at 60 and 120 days-of-age. High titers to both F1 and V (mean reciprocal titers of 18,552 and 99,862, respectively) were found in all vaccinates up to 2 yr postvaccination, whereas seven control animals remained antibody negative throughout the same time period.</span></p> application/pdf 10.7589/0090-3558-44.1.1 en Wildlife Disease Association Vaccination with F1-V fusion protein protects black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) against plague upon oral challenge with Yersinia pestis article