Evaluation of a monovalent companion animal periodontal disease vaccine in an experimental mouse periodontitis model.

Periodontal disease in companion animals is clinically similar to that of human periodontal disease. Despite the usage of veterinary procedures and antibiotic therapy, the disease still remains as one of the most highly prevalent disorders seen by veterinarians. The goal of this study was to evaluate the immunogenic properties and vaccine performance of a monovalent canine periodontal disease vaccine in the mouse oral challenge model of periodontitis. Mice vaccinated subcutaneously with inactivated, whole-cell bacterin preparations of Porphyromonas gulae displayed both high titers of anti-P. gulae specific antibodies and significantly reduced alveolar bone loss in response to homologous, heterologous, and cross-species challenge. Based on the results of these studies, a periodontal disease vaccine may be a useful tool in preventing the progression of periodontitis in animals.