WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE BACTERIA HISTOPHILUS SOMNI AND ITS AVIRULENT MUTANT ARE ABLE TO STIMULATE THE PRODUCTION OF ANTIVIRAL MOLECULES IN NASAL EPITHELIAL CELLS. THIS PROJECT WILL STUDY WHETHER WE CAN USE THESE BACTERIA AS A PROBIOTIC TO HELP PROTECT CATTLE FROM VIRAL INFECTION. OUR STUDIES WILL DETERMINE HOW BEST TO INOCULATE THE NOSE OF THE CALVES PRIOR TO EXPOSURE TO VIRUS. THIS WILL BE VERY USEFUL TO CATTLE PRODUCERS WHO SHIP THEIR CATTLE TO FEEDLOTS AND OTHER SITES. DURING THE SHIPPING THEY ARE MINGLED WITH OTHER CATTLE AND OFTEN ARE EXPOSED TO BOVINE RESPIRARORY VIRUSES. IDEALLY THE CATTLEMEN COULD SQUIRT THE PROBIOTIC INTO THE NOSE OF THE CALF PRIOR TO SHIPPING AND THE CELLS IN THE NOSE WOULD START TO MAKE THESE VIRIUS FIGHTING MOLECULES. OUR STUDIES WILL DETERMINE IF THIE CONCEPT WILL WORIK AND HOW IT MIGHT BE COMBNED WITH A NEW SUBUNIT VACCINE FOR A BOVINE RESPIRATORY VIRUS TO FURTHER ENHANCDE IMMUNITY. THIS WILL DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF BOVINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE, A MAJOR CAUSE OF ECONOMIC LOSS TO THE CATTLE INDUSTRY