Glossary

This glossary contains terms relevant to VIDO’s research. New terms will be added on an ongoing basis.
Thanks to the VIDO Beef Technical Group for their assistance in developing this glossary.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Acquired immunity Immunity resulting from prior exposure to a pathogen or vaccine. This immunity is characterized by memory, specificity for a single pathogen or foreign protein and an accelerated secondary response. Acquired immunity is also called active immunity or adaptive immunity and can be divided into two responses: cellular immunity and humoral immunity

Adjuvant A vaccine component that improves the immune response to the antigen

Anamnestic Response An immune response to an antigen or pathogen to which the individual was previously exposed. This immune response occurs more quickly and is often stronger than the response induced by the first injection or vaccination, also called the secondary response.

Anaphylactic Shock An adverse response to a foreign protein (e.g. a vaccine) to which the individual has previously been exposed.

Antibodies A class of proteins called immunoglobulins produced by specialized lymphatic cells. These immunoglobulins bind to a specific antigen of the infecting agent or vaccine.

Antigen The active component of a vaccine which is recognized as foreign by the animal and induces an acquired immune response. Antigens may include substances such as bacteria, viruses, toxins or foreign proteins.

Autogenous vaccine A vaccine prepared with a pathogen isolated directly from an individual animal or herd for use in the same animal or herd.

B

Bacterin A suspension of killed bacteria. For example: 2-way; 7-way; 8-way vaccines that contain several types of Clostridial bacteria.

C

Cellular Immunity (Cell Mediated) Immune responses mediated by cells that can destroy pathogens. An example would be white blood cells that destroy virus-infected cells.

CpG Pieces of the DNA genome present in both mammals and bacteria, although bacteria have about 20 times more CpG motifs compared to mammals. CpGs in bacteria differ slightly in composition from CpGs in humans. CpG motifs stimulate the innate immune response, and directly activate B cells, natural killer cells and macrophages, leading into a TH1-type of immunity.

D

Diluent With respect to vaccines, the fluid that one uses to suspend a freeze-dried (powdered) vaccine

Duration of Immunity The period of time during which a protective immune response is present after vaccination. This can determine the frequency of revaccination or the time of vaccination relative to disease risk.

E

Efficacy Demonstration That the vaccine induces a defined biological outcome (e.g. - reduced clinical disease, reduced shedding of a pathogen, reduced transmission of a disease agent) that is relevant to the label claim on the vaccine.

F

G

H

Humoral immunity Immune response characterized by the formation of antibodies, which are proteins secreted by specific cells (B cells and plasma cells). The antibodies decrease the growth and/or harmful effects of a microorganism or its products.

I

ID: Intradermal vaccination (within the skin)

IM: Intramuscular vaccination (into the muscle)

Immune Response The response of the immune system following exposure to a pathogen, vaccine or foreign protein

Immune System Those tissues, cells and body secretions that function to protect the animal from infection by foreign organisms and other harmful substances.

Immunity The state of being protected against the effects of a pathogen (i.e. a microorganism or its toxins)

Immunoglobulins (Igs) are classified according to their mode of action and are labeled: IgG - The most abundant; protects against bacteria, viruses and toxins in the blood; IgM - The first circulating antibody to appear; IgA - Found in many body secretions such as nasal secretions, saliva and milk (helps calves).; IgE - Causes certain cells to release histamines (as happens with allergies).

IN: Intranasal vaccination (into the nostrils)

J

K

Killed vaccine A vaccine where the killed pathogen (bacteria/virus/protozoa, etc.) is used in the vaccine.

L

M

Maternal immunity Immunity of the newborn acquired from the mother’s blood supply before birth or through colostrum and milk after birth. This is also passive immunity.

Modified live vaccine A vaccine that contains a live pathogen that has been altered so it no longer causes clinical disease, although it may cause mild clinical symptoms (e.g. IBR vaccine)

Monovalent vaccine A vaccine against a single pathogen

Mucosal The administration of a vaccine to a mucosal surface such as the digestive tract, the respiratory tract, the reproductive tract or the inner surface of the eyelid.

Multivalent vaccine A vaccine against several pathogens

N

Natural (Innate) Immunity Disease resistance that exists without prior exposure to a pathogen

O

Onset of Immunity The length of time from vaccination until a protective immune response is present

Oral Vaccination Vaccination into the mouth

P

Passive immunity Immune protection acquired from another animal. (Example: Colostrol antibodies from dam or injection of immune serum)

Pathogen A microorganism that causes disease. This can include viruses, bacteria, fungi and multicellular parasites.

Potency Potency is linked to efficacy and for vaccines is a measure of the amount of vaccine antigen required to induce a defined immune response.

Primary vaccination The first time an animal is vaccinated for a particular antigen.

Prions Not technically a microorganism but a structurally modified protein; causes Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSEs), Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

Purity Vaccine contains specified material only and is free of other micro-organisms.

Q

R

Recombinant vaccine A pathogen or a protein that has been genetically manipulated (i.e. genes have been inserted or deleted to improve the safety or the effectiveness of a vaccine)

Revaccination The second or subsequent vaccination. This is often referred to as a “BOOSTER SHOT.”

Routes of Vaccination: IM, SC, IN, ID, Oral, Mucosal

S

Safety This indicates that the commercial vaccine has been tested to determine if there are either systemic or local reactions following vaccination.

SC Subcutaneous vaccination (under the skin)

Serological Response A measure of antigen-specific antibody present in blood. This response may also be called an antibody titer and expressed in quantitative units.

Subunit vaccine A single protein or part of a protein from a pathogen that is incorporated in a vaccine

T

Tissue Reaction Heat, pain, swelling or even an abscess at the site of an injection or vaccination. This is also referred to as a local vaccine reaction.

Toxoid A toxin that has been structurally altered to destroy its harmful properties without destroying its ability to induce formation of antibodies upon injection (i.e. tetanus toxoid)

U

V

Vaccination The administration of a vaccine to an animal. This term is often used interchangeably with immunization and inoculation (the administration of a microorganism to an animal).

Vaccine A suspension of microorganisms or parts of microorganisms administered to an animal for the prevention of infectious disease.

Vaccine dose The amount of vaccine injected is usually measured in milliliters (ml) or cubic centimeters (cc) which are equivalent terms. Syringes used for vaccination are usually calibrated in these units.

Vectored vaccine A microorganism that does not cause disease and is modified to contain genetic material from a pathogen - when the vectored vaccine is administered, the animal reacts by mounting a specific immune response against the pathogen.

W

Withdrawal Time The length of time following the administration of a vaccine that an animal must not be sold for human food consumption.

X

Y

Z

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