Enhanced immune response in bovine species

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of immune activation which is effective for eliciting a non-antigen-specific immune response in a member of the bovine species. The method is particularly effective for protecting a member of the bovine species from infectious disease and treating animals inflicted with infectious disease.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An immunomodulator composition, wherein the immunomodulator composition comprises:
 a. a cationic liposome delivery vehicle; and   b. a nucleic acid molecule   for treating bovine respiratory disease in cattle.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the liposome delivery vehicle comprises lipids selected from the group consisting of multilamellar vesicle lipids and extruded lipids. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claims 1  and  2 , wherein the liposome delivery vehicle comprises pairs of lipids selected from the group consisting of DTMA and cholesterol; DOTAP and cholesterol; DOTIM and cholesterol, and DDAB and cholesterol. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is an isolated bacterially-derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claims 1  to  4 , for administration selected from the group consisting of intravenously, intramuscularly, intradermal, intraperitoneal, subcutaneously, by spray/aerosol, orally, intraocularly, intratracheally, and intranasal. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the biological agent is selected from the group consisting of an immune enhancer proteins, immunogens, vaccines, antimicrobials or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the bovine respiratory disease is caused by a viral infection and/or bacterial infection. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  7  for reducing clinical signs caused by  Mannheimia haemolytica  in cattle comprising an immunomodulator composition, wherein the immunomodulator composition comprises:
 a. DOTIM and cholesterol lipid combination; and, 
 b. nucleic acid molecule is an isolated bacterially-derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof. 
 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , further comprising a biologic agent. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  9  for improving the acquired immune response of an animal that is administered a vaccine, the composition comprises an immunomodulator composition, wherein the immunomodulator composition comprises:
 a. DOTIM and cholesterol lipid combination; and, 
 b. nucleic acid molecule is an isolated bacterially-derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof. 
 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the immunomodulator composition is co-administered with the vaccine or is administered after, before, or mixed with the vaccine.