comparative assessment of montanide and aluminum hydroxide adjuvants in an experimental neospora caninum vaccine for dogs

Neosporosis is an infectious disease caused by intracellular parasite protozoan neospora caninum which poses a significant challenge in veterinary medicine, particularly due to its association with reproductive complications in cattle and neuromuscular disease in dogs. despite its impact, there is currently a lack of vaccines or treatments for this disease. vaccination is crucial, but the choice of adjuvants significantly affects vaccine efficacy. this study evaluates the immunological outcomes of montanide and aluminum hydroxide adjuvants in an experimental neospora caninum vaccine for dogs. twelve clinically healthy, seronegative dogs, aged one year or less, were randomized into three groups. two groups received the experimental vaccine with montanide or aluminum hydroxide adjuvants, while the third group received a placebo. immune responses and vaccine safety were monitored through blood parameters and liver enzyme levels. the study demonstrated successful culture and passage of the vero cell line with no contamination. the attenuated neospora caninum strain caused cell destruction within 4 to 7 days. absence of contamination was confirmed in cell lines and vaccines. molecular testing showed no neospora caninum dna in dogs, and blood and liver enzyme results remained consistent pre- and post-immunization (p<0.05). the group immunized with the attenuated strain and montanide adjuvant exhibited a significantly higher humoral immune response compared to other groups (p<0.05). these findings support the safety and efficacy of the immunization protocol. montanide appears to be a superior adjuvant for neospora caninum vaccines in dogs, eliciting strong humoral responses without compromising safety.