1 November 2006
Boxmeer, The Netherlands
Equine influenza continues to be the most common viral respiratory disease found in horses and is endemic in many populations throughout the world. And, with several recent outbreaks, prevention has never been so important.
With this in mind, Europe’s leading equine vaccine manufacturer, Intervet, has launched the innovative ‘flu vaccines, Equilis® Prequenza and Equilis® Prequenza Te, the only vaccines proven under challenge to help protect against both A/equi 2/South Africa/04/03 and A/equi 2/Newmarket/05/03 ‘flu strains. Developed by Intervet after years of research, Equilis Prequenza and Equilis Prequenza Te is the next evolution of the highly successful Equilis Pro (T) and Equilis Equenza (T).
The Prequenza range contains the unique biological delivery system, ISCOM-Matrix®, a second generation of ISCOM technology proven to produce a cellular and humoral immune response without the depot caused by traditional adjuvants at the site of injection. This single method of antigen delivery means that, of the combined ‘flu / tetanus vaccines currently available, Equilis Prequenza Te is the only vaccine not to require the assistance of traditional chemical adjuvants to stimulate immunity.
Developed specifically to enhance vaccine safety and efficacy, ISCOM-Matrix is now favoured in human medicine as it causes less reactions and is at the forefront of new human vaccine development, including those for HIV-1 and HIV-2. In horses, the lack of depot formation from ISCOM-Matrix means inflammation is reduced at the injection site and, post-injection, antigen is easily transported to the draining lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow
where it stimulates both Th-1 and Th-2 lymphocytes. The Th-1 lymphocytes induce cellular immunity that destroys virus-infected cells, whilst the Th-2 lymphocytes produce circulating antibodies that neutralise the virus outside the cells.
In addition to that, Equilis Prequenza and Equilis Prequenza Te are able to significantly reduce clinical signs and virus shedding in vaccinated animals for at least one year after vaccination.
Prequenza is Intervet’s second equine product to be launched in as many months, following the highly successful introduction of Cobactan® IV, the innovative fourth generation cephalosporin for equine respiratory disease and foal septicaemia.
To examine the benefits of Equilis Prequenza and Equilis Prequenza Te or to find out more about Cobactan IV, please contact your local Intervet representative.
