CONJUGATED AFLATOXIN B TO PROTECT AGAINST MYCOTOXICOSIS
The present invention pertains to the use of conjugated aflatoxin (AFB) in a method to protect an animal against AFB induced mycotoxicosis, in particular to protect against a decrease in average daily weight gain, immune suppression, icterus, hemorrhagic enteritis as a result of the ingestion of AFB.
1 . A method of actively protecting an animal against aflatoxin B (AFB) induced mycotoxicosis comprising administering to the animal a conjugated AFB.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the conjugated AFB is systemically administered to the animal.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the conjugated AFB is administered intramuscularly, orally and/or intradermally.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the conjugated AFB is administered to the animal at an age of 6 weeks or younger.
5 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein the conjugated AFB is administered to the animal at an age of 4 weeks or younger.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the conjugated AFB is administered to the animal at an age of 1-3 weeks.
7 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the conjugated AFB is administered to the animal at least twice.
8 . (canceled)
9 . (canceled)
10 . (canceled)
11 . (canceled)
12 . (canceled)
13 . The method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the animal is a swine or chicken.
14 . A vaccine comprising conjugated AFB, an adjuvant and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
15 . The vaccine of claim 14 , wherein the adjuvant is an emulsion of water and oil.
16 . The vaccine of claim 15 , wherein the adjuvant is a water-in-oil emulsion or an oil-in-water emulsion.
17 . The vaccine of claim 14 , wherein the conjugated AFB comprises AFB conjugated to a protein having a molecular mass above 10.000 Da.
18 . The vaccine of claim 14 , wherein the conjugated AFB comprises AFB conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or ovalbumin (OVA).