Veterinary Immunology

Veterinary immunology encompasses the study of immune mechanisms across a broad range of domestic and captive-raised species, from livestock and equids to companion animals and aquatic organisms. As in humans, protection against infection in animals relies on the coordinated action of innate defences—physical and chemical barriers, phagocytic cells and complement—and the adaptive immune system, in which T and B lymphocytes generate pathogen-specific cellular responses and antibody production. In production animals, robust immune function is essential for disease control, productive efficiency and food security, while in companion species it underpins preventive healthcare and the management of chronic conditions. Advances in molecular biology and immunogenetics have revealed both conserved and species-specific adaptations, such as unique antibody isotypes in teleost fish and specialised gut-associated lymphoid tissue in birds. Understanding these principles facilitates rational vaccine design, the development of immunomodulatory feed additives and diagnostic assays tailored to diverse veterinary species. In turn, such knowledge contributes to global One Health initiatives by reducing antimicrobial use, controlling zoonoses and safeguarding animal welfare across farming, aquaculture and domestic settings.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Structural insight into teleost immunoglobulin M (IgM) has provided a blueprint for understanding antibody assembly and function in fish. Cryo-electron microscopy of a non-joining-chain teleost IgM revealed a tetrameric Fc ensemble stabilised by eight C-terminal tailpieces forming a β-sandwich assembly, thereby explaining how polymeric antibodies evolved to support mucosal and systemic protection. This structural framework informs the design of broadly protective aquaculture vaccines that harness native antibody polymerisation mechanisms. In vector–pathogen interactions, the anopheline salivary apyrase has been shown to play a dual role in blood-meal hemostasis and malaria parasite transmission. Functional studies demonstrate that ingested apyrase activates host plasminogen‐to‐plasmin conversion, promoting fibrin degradation, reducing coagulation and facilitating Plasmodium sporozoite survival. Immunisation of vertebrate hosts against apyrase compromised mosquito infection and sporozoite development, highlighting a promising strategy to interrupt transmission at the interface of vector, pathogen and host immunity.

Research from all publishers

Aquaculture nutrition studies have evaluated herbal immunostimulants as sustainable alternatives to antibiotics. Dietary pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) at 1.5 % of feed improved growth, feed conversion and digestive enzyme activities in rainbow trout, while enhancing serum and mucus lysozyme, complement C3/C4 and antioxidant defences. Challenged fish exhibited higher survival against Yersinia ruckeri, illustrating the dual growth-promoting and immunomodulatory properties of botanical additives. An mRNA‐lipid nanoparticle vaccine encoding the Plasmodium vector antigen AgTRIO elicited robust IgG1 and IgG2a responses in mice, reduced hepatic parasite burden and improved survival. Notably, subsequent mosquito bites boosted AgTRIO-specific titres, suggesting a self-amplifying immunisation mechanism compatible with endemic exposure. In bovine tuberculosis control, meta-analysis of calf vaccination trials estimated a direct BCG efficacy of 25 % but highlighted indirect herd immunity effects that could drive herd prevalence towards disease-free status. Complementary field data from natural transmission studies in Ethiopia reported 58 % direct protection and 74 % reduction in onward transmission, yielding an overall efficacy of 89 % and emphasising the potential of combined vaccination and management strategies to eliminate bTB in livestock populations.

Veterinary Immunology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in veterinary immunology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Polymeric antibody: Multimeric immunoglobulin assembly that enhances valency and mucosal secretion, exemplified by teleost IgM tetramers lacking a joining chain. Apyrase: Salivary enzyme that hydrolyses extracellular ADP to inhibit platelet aggregation and facilitate blood feeding, also co-opted by parasites for transmission. Complement system: Cascade of plasma proteins that opsonise pathogens, recruit phagocytes and lyse antibody-coated targets as part of innate and adaptive immunity. Immunostimulant: Substance that enhances innate or adaptive immune responses, often used in feed additives to improve disease resistance in aquaculture. Herd immunity: Indirect protection of susceptible individuals arising when a sufficient proportion of the population is immune, reducing transmission below a critical threshold.

References

1. The structure of the teleost Immunoglobulin M core provides insights on polymeric antibody evolution, assembly, and function. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Mosquito salivary apyrase regulates blood meal hemostasis and facilitates malaria parasite transmission. Nature Communications (2024).
3. Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Powder in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Feed: Effects on Growth, Immunity, and Yersinia ruckeri Resistance. Aquaculture Nutrition (2023).
4. A mosquito AgTRIO mRNA vaccine contributes to immunity against malaria. npj Vaccines (2023).
5. A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccination Against Bovine Tuberculosis: Is Perfect the Enemy of Good?. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2021).
6. Vaccination of calves with Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette–Guerin reduces the frequency and severity of lesions of bovine tuberculosis under a natural transmission setting in Ethiopia. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases (2017).