Iophenoxic Acid and Rhodamine B as Biomarkers of Bovine Tuberculosis Vaccine Bait Uptake by White-tailed Deer

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis, exists in free-ranging white-tailed deer in portions of northeastern Lower Michigan where deer herds serve as reservoirs and sources for reinfection of livestock herds. Density reduction and vaccination of reservoir host populations could be used together to reduce prevalence or eliminate the disease. Voluntary oral uptake of vaccine by deer is the most feasible mode of delivery. High probability of eliminating bTB would depend, in part, on a high proportion of deer being vaccinated. Chemical biomarkers could be used to estimate the proportion of a deer population consuming baits. Three analogs of iophenoxic acid were evaluated relative to their pharmacokinetic profile in blood-serum, and presence of rhodamine B was evaluated in facial whiskers using captive white-tailed deer.