The Possibility of Specific Protection Against Bovine Leukaemia Virus Infection and Bovine Leukaemia with Inactivated BLV

SUMMARY Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) was inactivated with aminomethylated compounds. Inactivated BLV lost reverse transcriptase activity and leucogenic properties for sheep and cattle, but retained antigenic capacity and immunogenicity. Intramuscular administration of inactivated BLV (0·35 mg protein) two weeks apart produced an immune response and protected against challenge infection with BLV in sheep and cattle.