• Diptheria is a very contagious upper respiratory infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Symptoms include fever, sore throat and a

      pseudomembrane in the throat area. These symptoms are caused by a toxinreleased from the bacteria. Vaccines have been developed with Diptheria

      Toxoid (inactivated Diptheria toxin) to protect from infection. 

• Pertussis is a very contagious upper respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. Symptoms include cold-like symptoms and later a

  characteristic whooping cough. Vaccines have been developed with Pertussis antigens to protect from infection.

• Tetanus also called lockjaw is caused by neurotoxin from deep wound infection with Clostridium tetani. Symptoms include muscle spasms of the jaw and elsewhere in the body. These symptoms are caused by a toxin released from the bacteria. Vaccines have been developed with Tetanus Toxoid (inactivated Tetanus toxin) to protect from infection.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b can cause bacteremia, pneumonia, and acute bacterial meningitis in infants and young children. Vaccines have been developed with Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide conjugated to a protein to protect from infection.

• Hepatitis B virus can infect hominoidae and cause an inflammation of the liver called hepatitis. The virus is a hepadnavirus. This is a unique DNA

  virus as it replicates by a RNA intermediate using reverse transcription. During its life cycle the virus produces excess quantities of non-infectious

  particles designated as the hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg). Animals will make antibodies to this antigen designating immunity. Vaccines have been

  developed with recombinant HBsAg to protect animals from infection. 

• Bacillus anthracis is a spore forming bacterium that normally infects animals such as herbivores. Other species such as man can also become infected. The protective antigen (PA83) is crucial for the pathogenesis of the organism. Animals will make antibodies to this antigen designating past exposure. Vaccines have been developed with cellular products to protect animals from infection.

• Polio virus: Poliomyelitis, often referred to as infantile paralysis or polio, is an infectious disease caused by poliovirus. This acute viral infectious disease is typically spread through two methods, a fecal to oral or oral to oral transmission. Varying types of paralysis may present depending on which nerve is involved. Poliomyelitis is a term used to identify three different serotypes of disease; these include type 1 (Brunhilde), type 2 (Lansing), and type 3 (Leon).