RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE
Stimulating protective innate immune responses for control of bovine respiratory disease
BACKGROUND
Viral infections and the stresses of weaning and co-mingling are well-recognized risk factors for bovine respiratory disease. These risk factors alter innate immune responses in the respiratory tract, allowing bacterial pathogens in the nasal cavity to proliferate, colonize the lung, and cause pneumonia.
RESEARCH FOCUS
We are developing methods to overcome this suppression of innate immunity, and test whether this can prevent naturally occurring and experimentally induced disease in cattle.
OUTLOOK
Immunomodulation is a novel strategy to prevent bovine respiratory disease, as an alternative to the preventive use of antibiotics.
