This article investigates the role of local fauna in Western Kazakhstan as potential reservoirs of the camelpox virus (CMLV). The study emphasizes analyzing possible sources and transmission pathways of the virus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serological methods, including virus neutralization tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Samples were collected from both young and adult camels, as well as rodents, ticks and blood-sucking insects in the Mangystau and Atyrau regions. The PCR results revealed the absence of viral DNA in rodents, ticks and blood-sucking insects; also, the ELISA test did not detect specific antibodies in rodents. These findings suggest that these groups of fauna likely do not play a significant role in the maintenance and spread of CMLV. Consequently, the primary sources of transmission are likely other factors, potentially including the camels themselves. The study’s results indicate the need to reassess current hypotheses regarding infection reservoirs and to explore alternative sources to enhance strategies for the control and prevention of the camelpox virus.

The rabies virus remains a significant public health threat, particularly in regions with limited access to vaccination. This study shows that the BelloStage™-3000 bioreactor, operating on the “Tide Motion” principle, in combination with BioNOC^® II macrocarriers, ensures highly efficient rabies virus cultivation in BSR and Vero cells grown in serum-free OptiPRO™ SFM medium. This system supports effective cell attachment, formation of a dense and metabolically active cell layer, and reduces microbial contamination risks associated with serum-containing media. For comparison, rabies virus cultivation was also performed on Cytodex 1 and Cytodex 3 microcarriers in spinner flasks. The use of the BelloStage™-3000 bioreactor system with BelloCell™ 500A disposable vials and BioNOC II^® macrocarriers resulted in significantly higher virus titers compared to traditional Cytodex 1 and Cytodex 3 microcarrier culture systems. Thus, in the BSR cell culture, the maximum virus titer reached 5.6 × 10⁸ FFU/mL by day 4 of cultivation, which exceeded the titers obtained on Cytodex 1 and Cytodex 3 microcarriers by about 19.3-fold and 15.3-fold, respectively. A similar trend was observed for the Vero cell line: the peak titer was 2.0 × 10⁸ FFU/mL by day 5 of culturing, which was higher than the values obtained on Cytodex 1 and Cytodex 3 by about 14.0-fold and 9.6-fold, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the integrated use of BioNOC^® II macrocarriers, the BelloStage™-3000 bioreactor, and a serum-free medium provides a scalable, reproducible, and biosafe platform for rabies virus production, offering substantial advantages over traditional microcarrier-based systems.

Brucellosis remains one of the most significant zoonotic diseases, posing a serious threat to both human health and livestock. This issue is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, which is among the countries endemic for brucellosis with a high incidence rate. Such circumstances highlight the urgent need for the development and implementation of effective preventive measures, including modern vaccine platforms capable of providing reliable protection for the population and reducing the economic impact on the agricultural sector. Recombinant capripoxviruses are considered promising vector platforms for vaccine development, as they ensure high expression of target antigens, elicit strong immune responses, and are safe for humans. In this study, the replication of recombinant capripoxviruses expressing Brucella antigens (SPPV (TK-) OMP19/SODC and SPPV (TK-) OMP25) was evaluated in Vero cells using the BelloStage™-3000 bioreactor system in combination with BioNOC II^® macrocarriers. Application of the bioreactor resulted in nearly a 100-fold increase in Vero cell density compared with static cultures and provided optimal conditions for cell adhesion, growth, and metabolic activity. Consequently, a significant increase in viral titers was observed: for SPPV (TK-) OMP19/SODC, mean titers reached 7.50 log₁₀ TCID₅₀/mL versus 4.50 in static culture (p < 0.0001), while SPPV (TK-) OMP25 achieved 7.08 log₁₀ TCID₅₀/mL versus 4.33 (p < 0.001). These findings confirm the reliability, reproducibility, and scalability of this bioreactor-based approach, demonstrating clear advantages over conventional cultivation methods. Overall, the study highlights the high potential of the BelloStage™-3000 system with BioNOC II^® macrocarriers for the industrial production of recombinant capripoxvirus-based vaccines against brucellosis and for the broader development of other recombinant viral vaccines.

Some of the most economically significant viral infections affecting cattle globally include infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). Both viruses cause a wide range of clinical consequences and significant economic losses. Recent serological surveillance in Kazakhstan showed that these infections persist despite commercial vaccines, underscoring the need for more effective, locally appropriate immunization protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the duration of immunity conferred by a developed associated inactivated emulsion vaccine against IBR (strain “R-93”) and BVD (strain “Oregon C₂₄V”), produced by the Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems. In the southern region of Kazakhstan. Of the 12 seronegative for BoHV-1 and BVDV clinically healthy crossbred calves (Friesian-Holstein and Kazakh Whiteheaded) eight were vaccinated, revaccinated, and monitored over a 9-month period for evaluation of the vaccine. Humoral immune responses were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and virus neutralization assays. Specific antibodies to BoHV-1 and BVDV were detected as early as day 7 post-vaccination, with titers peaking at 6.16 log₂ and 6.24 log₂, respectively, by day 28, and remaining above protective levels for at least 6 months. At 9 months, a challenge was conducted using virulent strains: no clinical signs or lesions in vaccinated animals, fever and respiratory systems in unvaccinated animals. These findings suggest that the tested inactivated vaccine is safe, immunogenic, and capable of providing sustained protection in crossbred cattle under local climatic conditions. Although the sample size was limited, the results allow us to make preliminary conclusions about the vaccine’s efficacy; however, further large-scale studies are needed.

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a disease of viral etiology, the causative agent of which is a member of the herpesvirus family - bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1). The infection is widespread, and only some countries have been able to obtain the status of IBR -free territories. The main negative consequences affecting the country's economy are a decrease in the reproductive and productive properties of livestock, as well as the death of the animal. Clinical symptoms of the disease are fever, cough, abortion, conjunctivitis. Sources of infection are sick cattle, in whose secretions from mucous membranes, abortive materials, and exudates DNA of BHV-1 can be detected. The virion, upon penetration into target tissues, rapidly replicates, causing lysis of infected cells. The genome of the virus encodes about 70 proteins, some of which can prevent the detection of infected cells by T cells, and the spread of infection into a latent form completely complicates the situation with IBR. Due to the fact that the virus is characterized by reactivation when the animal is under stressful conditions, continuous circulation of the pathogen among the herd is inevitable. Various commercial diagnostic tests based on serology and genetic engineering methods are used to diagnose BHV-1. In order to prevent IBR, animals are immunized with vaccines that are used in the pharmaceutical market. At the same time, research is being conducted to create new biological products that can protect cattle from disease.

Objectives: This article presents a study evaluating the antibody levels against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) in Kazakh Whiteheaded calves born to dams immunized with an experimental inactivated combined vaccine against these infections. The vaccine formulation includes the strains “R-93” (IBR) and “Oregon C₂₄V” (BVD), which are preserved in the microorganism collection of the Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems. Methods: To assess the immune response in newborn calves, blood serum samples were collected before the first intake of colostrum, followed by weekly sampling for 28 weeks post-birth. The antibody response was determined using a virus neutralization assay on MDBK cell cultures and lamb testicle cell cultures. Results: The results demonstrated that the protective antibody level against the IBR virus (≥2 log₂) persisted for up to 25 weeks, while the protective level against the BVD virus (≥3 log₂) remained for 23 weeks. Based on these findings, the vaccine was deemed safe, as it did not induce abortions or clinical manifestations of the diseases. The overall duration of the colostral immunity in calves against the IBR and BVD viruses reached 23 weeks. Conclusions: Therefore, it is recommended that Kazakh Whiteheaded calves be vaccinated with the associated inactivated vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhea no earlier than 23 weeks of age.