Pfizer Animal Health recently acquired global rights to distribute an E. coli bacterial extract vaccine with SRP technology from Epitopix LLC. SRP, an acronym for siderophore receptors and porins, is a technology that inhibits E. coli’s ability to seek and bind iron, which it needs to sustain growth. When vaccinated with the SRP, the cow’s immune system is stimulated to make antibodies against the siderophore receptors and porins. When exposed to the E. coli bacteria, the antibodies bind to the siderophore receptors and porins and help prevent iron from entering the E. coli cell, causing it to die.
“This technology reduces the bacteria’s ability to shed [excrete] out of the animal and contaminate the environment and the external areas of the animal,” says Dr. Brad Morgan (Spec. Vet. Op.), senior food safety and production specialist, Pfizer Animal Health. In an exclusive FE interview, Morgan said, if the E. coli can be reduced within the animal leaving less of the organism to be shed, it’s less likely to get into the packing plant.